Nakajima Ki-44 "Shoki" (Tojo)

[Imowface]

Now, my past request for the J2M, did not get very much enthusiasm, or support, this is understandable, due too its low production numbers, and very short service history, but fear not besides the IJNAS, the IJAAF also had an interceptor, the Ki-44 Shoki translating to demon queller, the allied coed name for this plane was "Tojo" sticking with the tradition of naming fighters after boys, and bombers after women. To give you an Idea of what this planes designers had in mind for it, It, is to the Ki-43, what the J2M was to the A6M. Now the versions I think would best be suited for the game are the IIb, and IIc as these 2 variants share the same Nakajima Ha-109 14 cylinder 2 row radial engine, making 1,520hp. as for performance the maximum speed for both the IIc & IIb variants is 376mph, so in our set up, it would put it faster than the N1K2, but slower than the Ki-84, range on internal fuel was about 560 miles, but with an initial clime of about 3950 fpm, it makes up for its shorter range but cutting down on climbing time.
Now one of my favorite parts of these planes, the armament, first, we will start off with the IIb, while some may consider 4 12.7mm machine guns on the lower rung of the ladder in AH, with two in the fuselage, and two close to the wing root, placement is not bad, and it would defiantly be enough to make quick work of any fighters plus points for mounting 2 100kg bombs under the wing roots, but what about the bombers?  well the IIc really takes the cake with her, two wing mounted 40mm HO-301 cannon, this is a low velocity cannon that uses caseless ammunition, so you would have to get close for them to be effective, but in reality, you should only need 1 well placed shot to take even the biggest planes down, and with the two 12.7mm guns in the nose, you can still deffend yourself from those pesky escorts. and before you say that the IIc models with the 40mm are extremely rare, beside the IIb, they were actually the most common variants of the 1,223 Ki-44 produced and also, the most successful Japanese planes against the B-29, when on February 19, 1945 a small group of Ki-44 intercepted 120 B-29's, destroying 8 with gunfire, and another two by suicide ramming. The reason that I think this should be added into AH, is because I'm sure both variants would see lots of use in the MA, in there intended role as bomber destroyers (IIc) and also defense fighters (IIb), I have said before that I always see lots of requests for more Japanese planes on these BBS and  just thought I could help give everyone ideas, or even if someone learns something new about the planes I ask for, I would be happy.

so I hope we can have a good discussion as to why you think this should be added, why you think it shouldn't, what you think about it, and so on and so fourth <S>

[oakranger]

As i always say, Diversity is better. 

[Wmaker]

and before you say that the IIc models with the 40mm are extremely rare, beside the IIb, they were actually the most common variants of the 1,223 Ki-44 produced

Well that isn't really saying much considering that only a very small portion of the whole II-production run consisted of the a and c subvariants. I don't have the exact numbers and there is a good change that no one does. The c-subvariant production run included Cs armed with the 40mm cannons but also some Cs were armed with Ho-3 20mm cannons. Overall they were *rare* when compared to the IIbs, but they would be fun and we have other rare loadout options for existing planes so I see any reason not to include them.

Shoki would be a very fun fighter which I would probably fly quite a bit. It would probably have the best power loading of all AH fighters.

[Imowface]

everything I have read states that the 20mm cannon "c" variant was planned but never put into production, and arguably the best Ki-44 variant, the III, was put into production, but there were very very few of these made, most sources I have read over the web place numbers inbetween 30 and 50

[Masherbrum]

IAR 81c

[Wmaker]

everything I have read states that the 20mm cannon "c" variant was planned but never put into production, and arguably the best Ki-44 variant, the III, was put into production, but there were very very few of these made, most sources I have read over the web place numbers inbetween 30 and 50

My source is Rene Francillon's book which has been a deifinitive "all in one" source for quite a while. It was first published 1970. I'm sure there are errors in it. And that 20mm equipped variant-issue might be one of them. I have actually read similar information elsewhere too, and forgot I had. So it might well be the case that none of the IIs carried 20mms in combat. Francillon also mentions that few IIIs were built, so I understand he means that there were more than prototypes built. But I agree that the II is the variant to have.

According to Francillon the 1225 figure is for the total Ki-44 production. And according to him there were a combined total of 1167 production IIs and IIIs built.

[Imowface]

Ah my best book I have on Japanese planes right now is called Japanese and Italian Aircraft: WWII by Bill Gunston,it is in two sections, 1st is every Italian plane that saw service in WWII, and 2nd  is every Japanese plane that saw service, what I have been doing is sort of getting basic info from this book, then cross checking with other sources I can find, it has worked for me so far. And I agree with you 100% on the II is the variant to have statement, though people may try to kill the town with the 40mm (which would also be the 2nd biggest plane
mounted HE cannon in the game) the cannons were fed with 10 round magazines, you would have to chose your shots wisely. I also have a picture of a 40mm "caseless" shell, for those of you who may be interested:

As you can see, it is almost rocket like in its design

[Boozeman]

And it will have rocket like ballistics, that make the Mk108 or the M4 look like friggin lazers. No urgent need for that variant, since it has almost zero usefulness in A2A combat and though it may pack some punch per round, the total amount is way to little to do any meaningful damage to a town.

That being said, I want the IIb variant in the game ASAP! Along with a J2M of course! 

[whipster22]

I know this mite look dweedish what about 2x37mm Ho-203 that were mounted in some aircraft I wouldn't mind spending some perks for that

[Imowface]

boozeman, I believe you are wrong about the Ho-301 cannon having no usefullness in A2A combat in AH, with the Ki-44 monster climbrate, the IIc would be an amazing bomber interceptor, especially in the MA with all of the low flying buffs, and even if you can get close enough, I'm sure many people would use the 40mm against fighters as well, people use the IID hurricane all the time, and it is extremely unstable with the 40's

[Liberator]

+1, I would love to see more Japanese planes in AH.

[Imowface]

Thanks for your support liberator

[Pigslilspaz]

All for this

[BSB]

I have said this before.  Number one plane to add to AH2 for me.  Great climb rate, good speed on the deck, probably handles well just like most Japanese aircraft, remember they say it is worst handling Japanese fighter it is most likely better than most allied fighters.  Good visibility and adequate armament in the most common variant (IIB with four 12.7 mm machine guns).  Also has the Fowler flaps like the KI-84 Frank.  Would be a good addition.

<----- It is also in my Avatar.     

[Boozeman]

boozeman, I believe you are wrong about the Ho-301 cannon having no usefullness in A2A combat in AH, with the Ki-44 monster climbrate, the IIc would be an amazing bomber interceptor, especially in the MA with all of the low flying buffs, and even if you can get close enough, I'm sure many people would use the 40mm against fighters as well, people use the IID hurricane all the time, and it is extremely unstable with the 40's

A monster climb rate is one thing, but a gun with a muzzle velocity of just 805 ft/s and thus a very limited effective range is another thing. The Hurricanes 40 mm have somewhat decent 1870 ft/s muzzle velocity and thus a much flatter trajectory.

Heck, even the HVAR rockets reach a higher speed than this guns rounds. You can try to dogfight with HVAR rockets only, this will give you an idea about the usabillity of the gun. Same against bombers, before you get into range, the gunners have shredded you apart twice, and then some.