KI 43

[Gman]

I flew this thing a bit last month, and again last night.  I'm surprised at how survivable it is, and have found that it really isn't as horrible as I thought it would be.  Decent climb rate, great WEP recharge, and surprisingly decent guns for only having 2 MGs.  I've read that the Japanese forces used some kind of HE 50 cal round - anyone know if this is the case, and if that damage is modeled into the 50 damage that it deals out?  Is there a Snailman like chart around anywhere with all the damage rates for various calibers in the game as well?

I'm having a lot of fun in this thing, I thought my beloved Spit5 turned on a dime, but every Spit5 or even 16 for that matter I've run into has died.  No trouble attracting a fight either, it seems to have the flashing red revolving "shoot at me" light much like the P38 and Mossie both do. 

I wonder why the IJ forces didn't put a pair of the 20mm nose mounted guns like the Ki61 has?  What a huge improvement it would be, and would make the Ki43 probably the best turn fighter in the game IMO hands down.

Anyhow, any tips/tricks out there for this plane from others who have flown it before? 

[Greebo]

The Ki-43's 0.5 in gun did have explosive rounds. However these were not very popular with pilots due to the unreliability of the shell's fuse. The rounds would sometimes explode as they left the barrel, damaging the engine and causing the aircraft to be lost. The problem was bad enough that the first Ki-43 units using the gun often fitted armour around the barrel exit area to protect the engine. When the rounds did hit the enemy they tended to explode on the skin surface rather than inside the airframe, which reduced their effectiveness.

[Karnak]

Ki-43-III Otsu was going to be armed with two Ho-5 20mm cannons, but it never saw combat, or much if any production.  Ki-43-III Ko would still be a nice addition.  360mph Ki-43 with better acceleration.

[Zacherof]

Ki-43-III Otsu was going to be armed with two Ho-5 20mm cannons, but it never saw combat, or much if any production.  Ki-43-III Ko would still be a nice addition.  360mph Ki-43 with better acceleration.

oh that sounds nice.