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Nakajima Ki-44 Shoki
"Demon"
Ki-44
Type:
  Single-seat interceptor and (II onwards) fighter-bomber
Origin: Nakajima
Allied Code Name: Tojo
First Flight: August 1940
Service Delivery: May 1942
Final Delivery: N/A
Number Produced: 1,233
Engine:
Ki-44 Ia:
    Model: Nakajima Ha-41
    Type: 14-Cylinder Twin-Row Radial
    Number: One       Horsepower: 1,260 hp

Ki-44 Ib (& Later):
    Model: Nakajima Ha-109
    Type: 14-Cylinder Twin-Row Radial
    Number: One       Horsepower: 1,520 hp


Ki-44 IIIa:
    Model: Nakajima Ha-145
    Type: 14-Cylinder Twin-Row Radial
    Number: One       Horsepower: 2,000 hp
Dimensions:
Wing span: 31 ft. (9.448m)
Length: 28 ft. 8½ in. (8.75m)
Height: 10 ft. 8 in. (3.248m)
Wing Surface Area: 161.46 sq. ft. (15m²)

Weights:
Empty (Ki-44-Ia): 3,968 lbs. (1800 kg)
Empty (Ki-44-II): 4,643 lbs. (2106 kg)
Maximum (Ki-44-Ia): 5,662 lbs. (2550 kg)
Maximum (Ki-44-IIc): 6,107 lbs. (2770 kg)
Maximum (Ki-44-III): 5,357 lbs. (2430 kg)		   Performance:
Maximum Speed (Ki-44-Ia): 360 mph (579 km/h)
Maximum Speed (Ki-44-IIc): 376 mph (605 km/h)
Initial climb (Ki-44-IIc): 3,940 ft./min (1200 m/min)
Service Ceiling (Ki-44-IIc): 11,200m (36,745 ft.)
Range (Internal Fuel): 560 Miles (900 km)
Endurance: 2 Hours 20 Minutes
Armament:
Ki-44-Ia:
Two 12.7mm Type I machine guns in wings
Two 7.7mm Type 89 machine guns in fuselage

Ki-44-Ib, IIa, IIb:
Two 12.7mm Type I machine guns in wings
Two 12.7mm Type I machine guns in fuselage

Ki-44-IIc:
Two 12.7mm Type I machine guns in fuselage
Two 40mm Ho-301 low velocity cannon in wings
Note: Fires caseless ammunition at 400 rpm
Or
Four 20mm Cannon.

Ki-44-III:
Two 12.7mm Type I machine guns in fuselage
Two 20mm Ho-5 low velocity cannon in wings

Ki-44-IIIa:
Four 20mm cannon.

Ki-44-IIIb:
Two 37mm Cannon
Two 20mm Cannon
Bomb Load:
Ki-44-II series:
Wing racks for two 220 lb (100 kg) bombs
Comments:
The Ki-44 was a complete departure from the standard manueverability emphasis placed on Japanese aircraft design. Though disliked by pilots, and deadly to less experienced pilots, the Demon was moderately successful in the interception role. A notable mission occured when a small force of Ki-44-(unknown model) intercepted 120 B-29's on February 19, 1945 and destroyed ten of them.
Variants:
Ki-44: Prototype and pre-production aircraft.
Ki-44-Ia: Initial production version.
Ki-44-Ib: As Ia but with revised armaments.
Ki-44-Ic: As Ib but with revised mainwheel fairing.
Ki-44-II: Prototype & pre-production version.
Ki-44-IIa: Initial Ki-44-II production version.
Ki-44-IIb: Major production version.
Ki-44-IIc: Production version.
Ki-44-IIIa: Production version with new powerplant.
Ki-44-IIIb: Final production version.
Ki-44
Sources:
The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft, 1997, Barnes & Nobles Books, ISBN: 0 7607 0592 5
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