28.01.2009, 18:12
Better two images (look at the cowlings). This is a Model I
![[Image: my.php?image=6510qt8.jpgAnd%20this%20is%20a%20model%20II]](http://img187.imageshack.us/my.php?image=6510qt8.jpgAnd%20this%20is%20a%20model%20II)
http://img187.imageshack.us/my.php?image=6516aa1.jpg
http://img187.imageshack.us/my.php?image=6516aa1.jpg
WIP KI-44
28.01.2009, 18:41
You mean:
![[Image: 6510qt8.jpg]](http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/323/6510qt8.jpg)
(model I)
and
![[Image: 6516aa1.jpg]](http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/7538/6516aa1.jpg)
(model II)
Other differences that i notice on these two pics (keeping in mind that drawings are not necessarily the most reliable source of info) is a bigger rudder on model II and a tube/telescope gunsight on model I...
(model I)
and
(model II)
Other differences that i notice on these two pics (keeping in mind that drawings are not necessarily the most reliable source of info) is a bigger rudder on model II and a tube/telescope gunsight on model I...
28.01.2009, 20:01
Errrr......thank you for posting my drawings. I'm not very good in these things.....
About the rudder, I don't know. My books don't say anything about changes in rudder between model I and II.
All Ki-44 I had telescopic gunsight, but there were Ki-44II with telescopic or reflector sight. I have read today that was planned to build all with reflector sight, but because shortage, some were built with the old telescopic sight. I suppose there were field mods as well (conservative pilots asking for their old sights, and the more modern removing the telescopic and installing the reflector)
About the rudder, I don't know. My books don't say anything about changes in rudder between model I and II.
All Ki-44 I had telescopic gunsight, but there were Ki-44II with telescopic or reflector sight. I have read today that was planned to build all with reflector sight, but because shortage, some were built with the old telescopic sight. I suppose there were field mods as well (conservative pilots asking for their old sights, and the more modern removing the telescopic and installing the reflector)
28.01.2009, 21:39
ojcar Wrote:Well, after carefully watching your blueprints and W.I.P., I think it's in fact a II model, not an I one.i think you will be happy to know that the plans stefan is working from are the 44-II version
The II model had a "box" under the cowling (in the chin of the plane). The first production model had no "box" (sorry for my English). The first blueprint you used said "Ki-44 II" also....
The "box" I was talking about is the oil scoop
29.01.2009, 07:39
Yes, as I said, it's my fav IJAAF plane. I'm crazy about flying it over Burma (those Spitfires are vastly better than poor old Ki-43), or making an What if mission trying to intercept the Enola Gay....
29.01.2009, 10:26
In the first photo we see a prototype , the oil cooler was put under the cow from first production batch; I haven't source about dimentional variation from I to II (only the III had wider wing).
-Profile and Aircam source
walter
-Profile and Aircam source
walter
SEMPER INCOMMODUS
29.01.2009, 10:54
From the book "Profile Aircraft 255 Nakajima Ki-44 Shoki (Tojo)" it seems that the under cowling oil cooler was from Ki-44 Ib. But on Aircam 25 "Nakajima Ki-44 Shoki Ia, Ib, Ic/IIa, b, c in Japanese Army Air Force service" says (in a photo note): "Oil scoop was an identification feature of Model 2". So, this is not very clear, but there are other differences between I and II: The II had a streghtened landing gears and retractable tail wheel.
30.01.2009, 07:48
ojcar Wrote:From the book "Profile Aircraft 255 Nakajima Ki-44 Shoki (Tojo)" it seems that the under cowling oil cooler was from Ki-44 Ib. But on Aircam 25 "Nakajima Ki-44 Shoki Ia, Ib, Ic/IIa, b, c in Japanese Army Air Force service" says (in a photo note): "Oil scoop was an identification feature of Model 2". So, this is not very clear, but there are other differences between I and II: The II had a streghtened landing gears and retractable tail wheel.
In Aircam isn't specyfied the presence of the oil cooler in model I but is specified at the end of the book the production quantity of those model:
Ki44 - Prototype - 4 (one of them with countra-rotating spinner)
Ki44KAI - Prototypes - 6
Ki44Ia - 9 - (by modification of the previous prototype , I think without the one with contra-rotating spinner)
Ki44Ib and Ic - 40 - no distinction from the type
I haven't find photo evidence about prototype or first butch in China but I continue the research!!!
Cheers
walter
SEMPER INCOMMODUS
30.01.2009, 10:20
It's very interesting, but difficult, because sometimes, different books says different things.....
Nevertheless, only 50 early Ki-44 were produced (both pre-series and Ki-44 Ia,b and c). 1.172 Ki-44 II and 3 Ki-44 III were produced. Saburo says "our" Ki-44 is a Ki-44 II. I think the same (retracting tailwheel) watching the drawings. And I think this is good!!!!!!
Nevertheless, only 50 early Ki-44 were produced (both pre-series and Ki-44 Ia,b and c). 1.172 Ki-44 II and 3 Ki-44 III were produced. Saburo says "our" Ki-44 is a Ki-44 II. I think the same (retracting tailwheel) watching the drawings. And I think this is good!!!!!!
17.02.2009, 08:37
I am bumping your Shoki back to the front,we need it,it was the one major fighter that saw service with the JAAF that never made it into the game,please keep up the good work,i'm drooling over the thought of blasting a few B29's with the KI44!Everyone jump in and post to encourage him!
07.03.2009, 07:28
Bump! Any news or updates of this beauty?
07.03.2009, 11:23
this is among my top 3 wips i am waiting for!
08.03.2009, 06:28
I am waiting this plane a lot too.
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