Author Topic: Japanese Fighters (Read 641 times)

Heretic · « **on:** October 28, 2005, 08:15:39 PM »

I have probably close to 75 World War II magazines. A guy from work gave them to me. In one of the issues there is a painting of a twin engined Japanese fighter attacking a B29. Would anyone happen to know what this plane may be? Would it be a good plane for AHII?

Widewing · « **Reply #1 on:** October 28, 2005, 08:37:09 PM »

In all probability, it would be a Ki-45-KAI. Perhaps one of the several other versions such as the Ki-45-KAI-Ko or the Ki-45-KAI-Hei. These were the primary twin-engine fighters involved in intercepting B-29s. The Japanese Navy flew some J1N1-S Gekkos against the B-29s, but the Army Ki-45s were far more numerous.

My regards,

Widewing

Heretic · « **Reply #2 on:** October 28, 2005, 09:14:03 PM »

Thanks Widewing.

I'll do a google search on the plane you mentioned.

Treize69 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 28, 2005, 11:03:27 PM »

Might wanna also search the name "Toryo" or "Nick" along with the Ki-45 designation. Toryu (Dragon Slayer) was its IJAAF name, its allied codename was "Nick" if I recall correctly. (its late, brain hurt)

Krusty · « **Reply #4 on:** October 29, 2005, 12:01:50 AM »

Yes it's called "Nick", as I remember. Mostly a recon plane. Mostly lightly armed. The later ones had a 37mm or 27mm or some odd-number-caliber cannon put in it, but it only had a dozen rounds or so. Also had about 3 7mms in the nose (my memory is a bit fuzzy on that). Suffice it to say it was lightly armed despite having a big-bore cannon.

Karnak · « **Reply #5 on:** October 29, 2005, 12:43:09 AM »

Krusty,

You're thinking of the Ki-46 Dinah recon plane. Males names mean fighters, so the Ki-45 was a fighter from the get go whereas the female name on the Ki-46 indicates a bomber/transport/recon plane. The Ki-46 was later armed in order to attack things like B-29s.

Treize69 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 29, 2005, 02:18:11 AM »

Ki45 was the one first reported encountered in early '42 by the AVG. They had no clue what it was. It was quite well armed, that why the 110G is used as a sub in PTO setups.

Ki46 came along later, first encountered over New Guinea in late '42 and early '43 as a high-alt recon bird.