Thanks for the video Perrine. I did like to see the original footage even if the pseudo 1980s music was a little disturbing. Is that taken from a documentary do you know?
I am beginning to suspect that Krusty and Masherbrum have clashed before on these forums over these aircraft.
I think it's always difficult to separate the factual information from all the conjecture and subjectivity.
The famous Hellcat / Ki-100 combat report is a classic example, of course there is motivation to make exagerated claims. The particular aircraft I uploaded the photos for was delivered to French Indochina in 1945, the pilot who flew it there explained that it was intended as a morale booster (most other Ki-100s being reserved for the defense of the Japanese mainland). Presumably to give hope showing 'new' aircraft being produced even at this stage of the conflict.
As Wmaker has observed in the confines of the virtual environment that is Aces High the realities of an actual war are less pressing as people often choose to dogfight to the end and test their skill etc.
I try to look at the aircraft from an engineering standpoint, especially in the unique case of the Ki-61 / Ki-100, since they have so much in common.
This is probably also because I want to understand what this change or that would do to the performance of an aircraft. I find it really worthwhile to try and understand some of the more advanced dynamics discussed by Stoney, WMlute and HiTech etc.
I think an AH simulation is about as close as anyone can hope for in evaluating the comparative qualities of the real aircraft at this stage. I think that's what keeps us asking for new models to be added.
Here are a few diagrams of interest. Some comparing the cowling modification to accommodate the radial engine. These have been kindly shared from JHerne's personal library.
This last scan for your perusal Wmaker. The first six rows seem to be about dimensions. Seventh row engine information including weights. Eighth row propeller data I imagine. Ninth row wing loading and power to weight ratios? Tenth perhaps fuel tanks & capacities? Eleventh looks like Unloaded Weight, fuel capacity in kgs and finally fully loaded weights. Shows an apparent internal fuel increase from the Ki-61-I onwards.
So again it is showing the Ki-100-I to be 105 kgs lighter than the Ki-61-I. I'm afraid I can't decipher the exact subtype of the Ki-61-I in the top of the first column.
Excellent data Baumer, thanks for posting that. Going to take a look at it now...