[Saburo Sakai]

lovely read, as you can see, i was right on the money

[ojcar]

Not exactly, Saburo San. In 19 February raid (mission 37 for USAAF), B-29s were flying at 8.000 m (the Air Force changed to medium altitude raids because the jet stream over Japan). USAAF lost only 6 B-29s and some of the J

[AJD-NZ]

[quote="ojcar"]Not exactly, Saburo San. In 19 February raid (mission 37 for USAAF), B-29s were flying at 8.000 m (the Air Force changed to medium altitude raids because the jet stream over Japan). USAAF lost only 6 B-29s and some of the J

[ojcar]

I have your book. It's an old Bill Gunston book....
Not biased opinions, just official loses from both sides......Both sides overclaiming. Only six bombers and 4 japanese fighter lost.
The point it's: Saburo said Shoki was a good high altitude B-29 killer and the mission in Gunston's book seems to agree with Saburo. The facts were that mission wasn't at high altitude and only six bomber of 130 were shot down, and some of them were shot down for Hiens and Toryus. In fact two B-29s were rammed by Toryus anone was shot down by a Hien. This lef us 3 B-29s shot down by Shokis in the "most successful mission deffending Japan". Compare it with any bombing mission over Germany. Japanese are just as courageux as Germans, but their planes were worst suited as bomber interceptors. Even the Shoki, one of the better Japanese planes.
Shoki was a good plane, not an

[AJD-NZ]

come on AJD.......................................................
turn the page will ya!!!


i read that page already

I'd like to m8, but the next page(310) is about "Nakajima Ki 84's & I'd get a
bollocking for going off topic

[Saburo Sakai]

let him have it AJ, i cant be bothered to argue the toss, the fact is, that the 44 had a higher ceiling and more speed than the 29.......

[109dude]

let him have it AJ, i cant be bothered to argue the toss, the fact is, that the 44 had a higher ceiling and more speed than the 29.......

But it took a damn good pilot not to get killed while attacking a B-29

[ojcar]

In fact, historically it's not so very important. The high altitude B-29 raids proved to be so inefective over Japan (because the jet stream), that USAAF turned to medium and low altitude raids. At this altitudes, the Shoki were fully capable (and the IL-2 sky much nicer).

Saburo, look for these books (emule is your friend):
-B-29 hunters of the JAAF (Osprey).
-Profile Aircraft 255. Nakajima Ki-44 Shoki (Tojo)
-Aircam Aviation series n

[Saburo Sakai]

let him have it AJ, i cant be bothered to argue the toss, the fact is, that the 44 had a higher ceiling and more speed than the 29.......

But it took a damn good pilot not to get killed while attacking a B-29

And it took a damn good pilot to fly the ki-44

ojcar, thanks i will look for these books

also, everyone that is conflicting here keeps on about the high level raids by b-29's being lowered , the b-29 service ceiling was 33,600 ft so just how high do you think the high level raids where anyway ?

[ojcar]

The first raids over Tokyo were about 27000-32000 ft (depending on the payload, I suppose). They were very ineffective raids. Then, Gral Hansell was substituted by Gral Le May and tactics changed. Not more High flying raids attacking strategic objetives. The raids were now at 24000 ft (the highest) or more commonly between 4900-9200 ft attacking the cities with incendiary bombs.

[ojcar]

No Christmas update?

[FANATIC MODDER]

I was thinking the same thing too...there are a lot of people that they waiting for this plane (this is just my feeling), at least people that want to experience this traditional touchy-unbalanced feeling of Nakajima fighters in a higher wing-loading plane than the Ki-43s and Ki-84s...

[ojcar]

Any news? Can't wait to ram a B-29 in this baby :twisted:

[walter_solito]

Hi!

Fine aircraft to mod , in the next future the sky over Japan hold land will be more dangerous for the stars and stripes pilots!!

Good Work!!!

Walter

[Saburo Sakai]

the external view pit is being built , stefan will post new pic update soon......