Quick Info
The Hien was unique among Japanese first-line
warplanes in WW2 in being powered by an inverted-Vee piston engine. This
was a Kawasaki Ha-40 unit, a license-built version of the German Daimler-Benz
DB 601A. The first 12 of prototype and pre-production aircraft flew in
December 1941, and revealed excellent performance and good handling. The
Ki-61-I entered service in february 1943, and was delivered to the extent
of 1,380 aircraft in two subvariants differentiated by their armament,
before the advent of 1,274 Ki-61 Kai fighters with a lengthed fuselage
and different armaments fits. Further development resulted in the Ki-61-II
Kai optimised for high-altitude operations with the Kawasaki Ha-140 engine,
and deliveries amounted to 374 aircraft in two subvariants again indistinguishable
by their different armament fit. Like other Japanese fighters, it was soon
eclipsed by its American counterparts.
Variants
Ki-61 Prototype (12
built)
Ki-61-I-a Produced in parrallel
with Ki-61-I-b, armed with 2 × 12.7 mm Ho-103 (Type 1) guns in the
upper nose, and 2 × 7.7 mm in the wing leading edges.
Ki-61-I-b Identical to Ki-61-I-a
apart from armament, 4 × 12.7 mm Ho-103 (Type 1)
Ki-61-I-KAIc Armament of 2
× 20 mm Ho-5 cannons in the fuselage, 120 rounds each, simplified
and stronger construction, and changes to increase it's maintainability,
powered by 1 × Kawasaki Ha-40 radial, a lengthened fuselage with
a detacheable tail, and strengthened wings with 2 hardpoints rated at 551
lb (250 kg) (1274 built)
Ki-61-II Pre-production
(38 built)
Ki-61-II-KAIa Fitted with
standard wings of the Ki-61-I series, rudder was enlarged, and the fuselage
length increased to 30 ft 0.625 inch (9,16 m). produced in parallel with
it's twin brother, the Ki-61-II-KAI-Otsu Hien, and differed only in it's
armament: 2 × 20 mm cannons and 2 × 0.50 inch (12,7 mm) guns
for this version. (99 II-KAI-a and b built)
Ki-61-II-KAIb Identical to
II-KAI-Ko, differed only in it's armament: 4 × 20 mm cannons for
this version
Ki-61-III Preliminary
prototype
Total Production: -I 1380 built, -I-KAI 1274
built, -II 38 built, -II-KAI 99 built
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