[RealDarko]

I know that every new japanese plane have his interest and I will be the first to really enjoy it, but what the Shoki raises this huge interest? IIRC the tipe was used in very small numbers as a pinpoint interceptor in places like Sumatra or the Philipines and the plane was only in big use in the Home Islands when they defended the country against B-29 assaults, so why you guys expect it that much of the Ki-44??
Someone explained that is a mid-war fighter for the IJAAF, is that true? I can't find anything about it, only as I said his role as a interceptor in key places, but of course I can be wrong.
Thanks

[VF101hawk]

The reason might be that the Ki-44 is the missing plane in the thread of jap fighters.
Most of the jap planes are of the slower type in the game until you get to the end of the war.
The Ki-44 was introduced in 41. and therefor gives us a fast fighter to be used in campaigns and so on from an early stage of the war.
Mostly used in Japan yes. but stationed saveral other places mainly to protect important key targets like oilfields, industry.
When reading about it it states that it wasnt well liked due to bad turning and simlar, but i would think this was to japan standards.
Also the J2M3 wasnt liked by the jap pilots due to higher turningtime compared to ex zero but from a american point of wiuv it was an exelent plane and if in larger numers built would have been a real seriouse threat to the allies fighting the japs.
So with getting the Ki-44 ingame we would have a jap plane that could cope with and handle the higher speed allied planes that the other early jap planes have no chance against.
This ofcourse might not be to the likings of some that like the fact that they are almost untouchable in flying on the allied side in pre 1944 coops. dogfight and campaigns. this ofcourse using correct tactics.

[Brano]

Simply because for IJAAF there is nothing in between Ki43 and Ki84 to fly (Ki61 only).This plane is needed for Sumatra, Indonesia, the China-Burma-India theater of operations, Philippines, Japanese metropolitan defense.And with proper FM it would be a real challenge for any pilot to master this little deamon
Equping more than 10 Sentai and with production over 1200 I would not say it was of minor importance for IJAAF.

[peebles]

Very cool Fighter with fast climb rate (3900 ft per min)+ and heavy cannons that saw a lot of action against B29's.Should have been in the game a long time ago

[RealDarko]

I can understand the B29 interceptor factoer and the Philipines, Home Defense one, but when the Ki-44 was used outside this areas the campaigns will be almost boring from my POV, as again IIRC the plane was used only as a pinpoint interceptor

[MrOblongo]

Personally, it was used in Burma Theater. And would be great to have something else to fly than a Ki43... hock:

[RealDarko]

Don't get me wrong, I'm really looking forward to this little plane, simply got curious about the operational reports of the Shoki and why people want this model that much.

[FANATIC MODDER]

man, it should fly like no other plane.I think that's why everyone is so interested for it. I am very much interested too.We can discuss it further if you want.

[Jaypack44]

I'm just excited for it because it's another historical japanese plane. I fly almost exclusively pacific theater, and the Japanese are missing SO many historical planes... Plus it's another project for me to work on skinning

[BillSwagger]

i just like the number 44

[FANATIC MODDER]

I'm just excited for it because it's another historical japanese plane. I fly almost exclusively pacific theater, and the Japanese are missing SO many historical planes... Plus it's another project for me to work on skinning

think we don't have (apart from Ki-44) Ki-10,Ki-15,Ki-30,Ki-45,Ki-48,Ki-49,Ki-51,Ki-67,Ki-102....to mention just some IJA planes with considerable action in WWII.The navy list is also that big.I think this limits the scenarios a lot, and makes it difficult to run a realistic campaign.

[kashiide]

totally agree with fanatic modder.not enough kiS regarding to other countries
and ,about the importance of the shoki,we must remember that:
- this plane had the best rate of climb comparating to any other plane in 41,42,43 (not sure for 44 but could match with 44 american fighters,for sure)
-due to the powerfull engine and the small size of the aircraft,it had an amazing acceleration
-its various and powerfull armaments including the ho 301 which was difficult to aim (only 150 meters efficient)but could bring down a 4 engined aircraft in 1 or 2 hit
-it was the first real interceptor of the japanese fleet and i think that if burmas squadron had only hayabusas,this campaign would nt have been so long...
-this plane was not liked by the old generation s pilots because it was not agile in japanese standards.but it was liked by young pilots due to its diving and climbing speeds and, at the time when the hayate flew,the shoki was a more sure aircraft because its facturing qualities where better specially about the engine which was a reliable one not like the hayate's...
-shoki pilots had successes against mustangs

[ojcar]

Why? fight against Spitfire VIII in a Ki-43 and you'll know why....

[Uzin]

Well, over 1200 pieces this bird was made in RL, so why not to include it in IL2, where much less abundant planes are implemented. The true boom and zoom fighter is missing for japanese side , and Shoki is one of them. I should like to fly it here.

[Trooper117]

Its important to get the ki 44 into the game.. During the initial attack on malaya, the 47th Independant Chutai were operating and evaluating the combat performance of this aircraft as it continued to be used throughout that theatre as part of the Japanese Southern Army Direct Command..
In the battle for South east Asia this aircraft saw action, and is well documented in the 'Bloody Shambles' trilogy by Chris Shores and Brian Cull, with Yashuho Izawa..
it's one of the missing aircraft needed for those early battles along with others mentioned, and can only add to the authenticity for many mission builders out there..