- In 1938, when the tactical thought shifted from light combat martial arts to high-speed hit-and-run tactics, the Army emphasized speed, climbing power, and dive performance at about the same time as the prototype of the light combat Ki-43. Nakajima was instructed to build a prototype of the high-speed heavy fighter Ki-44.
-In order to satisfy the army's demands, Nakajima chose a high-output engine, and although it had a large diameter, it was decided to use the Ha-41, which had the maximum output at the time. The size has been reduced to an order of magnitude, and Nakajima's unique butterfly flaps have been adopted for the trailing edge of the main wing to improve performance during air combat and during takeoff and landing.
- As a result of the test, the poor visibility during takeoff and landing and the poor stability at low speeds confused pilots who were familiar with Type 97 fighters, and it was not well received.
- However, in comparison with the Bf-109E and Kawasaki Ki-60, the Ki-44 was superior in performance, so it was adopted as a Type 2 single-seat fighter in 1942 and later named "Shoki". . The aircraft equipped with the Ha-41 is the Type 2 single-seat fighter Type 1, and the aircraft equipped with the more powerful engine Ha-109 is the Type 2 single-seat fighter Type 2.
-In addition, there are A, B, and C type 2 depending on the difference in armament and equipment, and between 1940 and 1944, 1,227 aircraft were produced for each type, and they were active in intercepting enemy bombers for air defense missions. Did.
[Actual machine data: Type 2 single-seat fighter Type B]
- Crew: 1 person
- Width: 9.448m
- Total Length: 8.843m
- Height: 3.248m (horizontal)
- Gross Weight: 2,764kg
- Maximum speed: 605km/h Altitude 5,200m
- Cruising speed: 400km/h altitude 4,000m
- Engine: Ha-109, Takeoff output: 1,520hp
- Armament: 12.7mm cannon x 2 (fuselage), 40mm cannon x 2 (wing), bomb 30kg ~ 100kg x 2
( This is a machine translation. Please allow for possible misinterpretations in the text. )