ki-44-iii A single prototype built, powered by a Ha-145 two-row 18-cylinder engine of 1,491 kW (2,000 hp). Proposed variant with an armament of four 20 mm Ho-5 cannons .

Final production version was the Ki-44- III with a 1491kW Nakajima Ha-145 radial engine, an increase m wing area and enlarged vertical tail surfaces. Nakajima had built a total of 1,225 Ki-44s of all versions, including prototypes, and these were allocated the Allied codename 'Tojo'.

The Nakajima Ki-44 'Shoki' (eng:Demon) was a single-engine fighter aircraft used by the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force in World War II. The type first flew in August 1940 and entered service in 1942.

A small production run began in January 1942, but the inability of these aircraft to intercept the Army's own high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft let the Army to insist on further design work, and the definitive Ki-44-IIb did not begin production before November 1942.

Feb 1, 2020 · The Ki-44 IIc was the first variant that showcased heavy-duty firepower, these armed with 4 x 20mm Ho-3 series cannons or coupled as 2 x 40mm Ho-301 cannons with 2 x 12.7mm Ho-103 machine guns. Cannon armament proved most effective against the high-altitude, well-defending Boeing B-29 Superfortresses.

Jan 9, 2010 · If the Ki-44-III was to use the the Ha-45 "Homare" engine, it would look quite different. The original engine, the Nakajima Ha-41, was a very large diameter engine used in bombers, like the Ki-49 "Helen", which gave the Ki-44 its characteristic bulbous nose.

Oct 30, 2024 · The Ki-44-II Otsu (also known as the Ki-44-IIb) could be armed with a Ho-301 40 mm autocannon. While this was a relatively high-caliber weapon, it used caseless ammunition with a low muzzle velocity and short range, which was effective only in close attacks.

Unlike the 20mm Ho-5, this 20mm used the heaviest 20mm shell of WW2: 162g! It was slow @ 400 r/m (188 sync) and 900m range. The planned Ki 44-III switched to the new 20mm Ho-5 for the 850 r/m RoF.

Nov 28, 1999 · Ki-44-IIb Armament changed to two synchronized 7.7mm Type 89 machine-guns and two wing-mounted 12.7 mm Type 1 (ho-103) machine guns.

Ki-44-IIIa. The Ki-44-III was the final version of the aircraft, and was powered by the 2,000hp Nakajima Ha-145 radial engine. The Ki-44-IIIa was armed with four 20mm Ho-5 cannon. Ki-44-IIIb. The Ki-44-IIIb was armed with two 20mm Ho-5 cannon and two 37mm Ho-203 cannon.