kawasaki ki-45

[Arlo]

Tommy Mcquire didn't underestimate anything, his sortie was a fighter sweep of 4 P38s over Negros Island in the philippines, he didn't believe the flight would have enough fuel if they dropped their tanks. The Ki-43 pilot he faced was a highly skilled instructor with some thousand hours plus of flight time who attacked all 4 38s by himself.

He probably believed that it was 1 vs 4, there wasn't any real need for concern, secondly Fuel was an issue for his mission to be complete - factor in the japanese pilots were also lacking any veteran pilots left - however this was just a bad case scenario of blunders that got him killed.

Easy now. My intent wasn't to insult anyone's hero (or anyone, for that matter). 

[HighTone]

I think the Ki-45-Kai would be a great addition for the MA and special events. What happen to it in real life and what roles it filled in real life, don't always translate into its effectiveness in our virtual combat.

The Ki-102 would probably fair better, but for me its hard to skip over the Ki-45 first.



+1

[Butcher]

Easy now. My intent wasn't to insult anyone's hero (or anyone, for that matter). 

Ironically mine has always been Ira Kepford, a Corsair pilot - however McGuire is my 2nd choice. Sorry it wasn't intended for you but icepac

[Arlo]

Ironically mine has always been Ira Kepford, a Corsair pilot - however McGuire is my 2nd choice. Sorry it wasn't intended for you but icepac

  

[gyrene81]

Thomas McGuire's brief write up about the Ki-45.

ack-ack

curious about when that assessment was made...as in date/year.

[Ack-Ack]

curious about when that assessment was made...as in date/year.

His Combat Tactics in the SouthWest Pacific Area was published by V Fighter Command in May of 1944 and republished in October of 1944.

ack-ack

[gyrene81]

thanks Ack-Ack, interesting read...very interesting. what he said about the ki-45 being the only japanese plane that could be out maneuvered by a p-38 is pretty much a reflection of the combat performance of the me-410 and bf-110. what he said about the numbers also reflects japanese command decisions to change the role of the ki-45 from a fighter role to bomber interceptor and ground attack then to homeland defense.