There generally isn’t much discussion about the Ki-61, as it isn’t flown very much in the MA. Nonetheless, it is a decent fighter and is under-rated and underestimated by the vast majority of players.
While anything but fast, it offers excellent energy retention, first-rate diving ability (with very good control) and is a terrific gun platform (very stable) with an extremely powerful gun package.
High-speed maneuverability and control are outstanding. Low-speed maneuverability is close to that of the Spitfire Mk.IX and N1K2. Some may argue it is superior to the N1K2. In my opinion, it is at least its equal.
Ammunition load-out is similar to the Spit IX (240 cannon rounds, 500 12.7mm MG). However, with both cannon packed tightly in the nose above the engine, concentration does not depend upon convergence. While the Hispanos of the Spitfire have better ballistics, the Japanese copied MG151 is superior to the cannons carried by the N1K2. Visibility is good, one of the best not fitted with a bubble canopy.
As Mandoble points out, sustained climb is on par with the F4U-1 and P-47D-11, therefore not very good. So, it takes a while to get it high enough to take advantage of its high-speed dive characteristics and handling. But, I find the time is well spent simply because once you have some E to work with, the Ki-61 can humble anything it might encounter in a downhill fight. Just remember that both the F4U-1 and D-11 Jug are outstanding E fighters. So is the Ki-61, with the added advantage of being vastly superior to both at low-speed dogfighting.
I fly the Ki-61 a little bit each tour. But, I fly a great many different aircraft during any tour. Just yesterday I killed two La-7s, two P-51Ds, a Typhoon and a P-47D-30 with the “Tony”. In each case, I had to dump E to avoid overshooting the enemy fighters. Again, E retention during maneuvering is amazing for such a low-powered fighter. Unlike the P-40E (similar level speed and high-speed handling), the Ki-61 does not bleed E like a pig. This means that the pilot must be E conscious to include managing excess E carried into a turn fight (not unlike the Spitfires). Indeed, should you lose your engine (for any number of reasons), no other fighter that I’m aware of has a better glide ratio. About a year ago during a brawl at 12k on the Baltic map, I ended up with a fuel leak and rapidly ran out of gas. I was over A43 when the engine quit, I was able to glide to A42, and still had to dump several thousand feet of altitude when I arrived. Credit this, I guess, to the high aspect ratio wing and HTC’s modeling of it.
Another factor is the Tony’s excellent range. Typically, its endurance is about 50-75% greater than a Bf 109G-2 when both take off with 100% internal fuel.
Due to gentle stall characteristics and relatively low stall speed, the Ki-61 is easy to operate from a carrier, allowing for great flexibility when fuel and/or ammo run low.
Weaknesses, there are several.
In terms of level speed, the Ki-61 isn’t very fast, at least 60 mph slower than the Fw 190D-9. Running into a Co-alt Dora usually means he has an energy advantage. If the Dora driver is smart, he can use that speed differential to make slashing attacks, or simply avoid you altogether. Even though the Dora and Tony are similarly armed, the guns are somewhat more effective for the Ki-61, so the Dora pilot will want to avoid any HO set up.
Climb, as previously mentioned, is poor. This means that many aircraft are able to fight more effectively “up hill”.
Rate of fire is very high for the Tony’s cannons. Consequently, those 240 rounds disappear rapidly. Conserve your ammo like you would with a 109 or Yak.
Acceleration is only average at best, meaning that most late-war fighters can quickly open a gap if E states are similar.
What to avoid: Stay away from low-speed turn fights with Wildcats, Zeros, Hurricanes and early mark Spitfires. Likewise be careful with SBDs and D3A dive-bombers. Both can easily out-turn the Ki-61. Be careful with fighters above you, don’t get “roped” by trying to follow them in a climb when they have greater E than you do.
On a whole, the Ki-61 is a good airplane, limited only by low power. Nonetheless, it can be used with great effectiveness as an “E fighter” if you take the time to get it high enough to exploit its strengths.
My regards,
Widewing
