The Other Japanese Fighters

[GTX]

A better version of an earlier idea:



Regards,

Greg

[GTX]

Some Merlin engined K-61s/Ki-100s:





Regards,

Greg

[Taiidantomcat]

Nice to see such worthy additions to this thread 

[Maverick]

Out of curiousity Greg, what are the cowlings for those Ki-61s from?  I really can't place them.

Regards,

Mav

[GTX]

Out of curiousity Greg, what are the cowlings for those Ki-61s from?  I really can't place them.

Regards,

Mav

What sort of a plane spotter are you?

It's mainly Spitfire cowl but with SeaFang style lower intake (accentuated) + the original Ki-61 spinner.  I didn't want to simply put a Spit nose on a Ki-61.  I figured it might be similar, but not quite...if that makes sense.

Regards,

Greg

[Maverick]

Ah ok, the intake under the spinner confused me and of course the original -61 spinner.  I had thought some breed of P-40, but they were Allisons of course.

As for the full Spit nose, I think it would be different from a Ki-61, given that the Merlin is a conventional V12, whilst the DB-601 (or whatever the Japanese called their licence) is inverted.  A similar thing would happen to a Macchi C.202.

Regards,

Mav

[jcf]

  I had thought some breed of P-40, but they were Allisons of course.

P-40F and L were V-1650 Packard-Merlin powered. 

[Maverick]

Thanks for that Jon.  What about the RAF's Kittyhawks, I think they were Merlin weren't they?

Regards,

Mav

[apophenia]

Mav: the Kittyhawk II was Merlin powered, the rest had Allisons. BTW: just to confuse matters, there were also Allison-engined P-40L conversions (aka P-40Rs) which served as Kittyhawk IIIs. Apparently, the RAF didn't distinguish between P-40Fs and Merlin-engined P-40Ls. Nor between Allison-engined P-40Ls and P-40Ms (Kittyhawk IIIs).

[apophenia]

I wanted to come up with a modest variation on the Ki-43 Hayabusa. Of course the Ki-43-IIIb prototypes had two 20mm Ho-5 cannons. These cannons were roughly the same size as the Ki-43-IIIa's 12.7-mm Ho-103 machineguns (both weapons being based on the Browning M2). But the Ho-5 (Type 2) guns fired the rather limiting 12.7mm x 81SR Breda cartridge. [Image deleted to spare Upload Folder]

So, how about an Ha-115-powered Ki.43-V with more powerful 20mm guns? The obvious candidate is the Ho-3 (which fired a 'full-sized' 20mm x 125 cartridge). The cockpit is moved back slightly to make room for the longer guns (and bigger internal fuel tanks). Not a big change but it does make a visual difference.

The second type is a kamakazi mod for an early model Hayabusa/ I'm imagining plans for Manshu to modify existing Ki-43-Is into 2-seat fighter trainers (à la the Ki-79B). At the last moment, it is decided to fill the original, now front cockpit with explosives. This would allow attacking aircraft to extend range with drop tanks rather than carrying bombs.

[Maverick]

Thanks for the info Apophenia.

I like the subtle variations on the Ki-43s.  One wonders why the Ho-5 weapons were categorised as 20mm weapons if they were firing a 12.7mm cartridge?

Very interesting stuff tho, eminently plausible and as mentioned a definite double-take.

Regards,

Mav

[apophenia]

Cheers Mav. The Ho-5 did fire a 20mm cartridge (the stumpy Breda type). The gun itself was based on the Browning .50-cal (as was the 12.7mm Ho-103)  but slightly scaled up.

[Maverick]

Colour me confused, but I looked up Ho-5 cannon online and came up with the following cartridge dimensions: 20mm x 94mm whilst the Ho-103 is listed as having the the Breda 12.7mm x 84mm cartridge that was mentioned here "But the Ho-5 (Type 2) guns fired the rather limiting 12.7mm x 81SR Breda cartridge."

I'm thinking this might be crossed lines of communication?

Regards,

Mav

[apophenia]

Mav: You've confused because I've stuffed it up royally! The Ho-103 was the Browning-derived gun that fired the 12.7 x 81mmSR Breda. And the Ho-105 did fire a 20 x 94mm cartridge!

Below is the list of WWII Japanese 20mm aircraft guns that I have (mind you, considering my track record ...  )

20x72RB -- IJNAF Type 99-1 (original Oerlikon round)

20x82 ---- IJAAF Mauser MG 151/20

20x94 ---- IJAAF Ho-5 (Army Type 1)

20x101RB - IJNAF Type 99-2 (enlarged Oerlikon round)

20x125 --- IJAAF Ho-1 & Ho-3 (based on Type 97 AT round)

[Maverick]

No probs on that.  I thought there might have been a small typo, but it's all good, we know what you're talking about!

Regards,

Mav