Kawasaki Ki-61 “Hien” (飛燕, flying swallow) Japanese fighter aircraft of World War II. When the Americans encountered the fighter was first identified him as the Bf-109, then suspected that it is a copy of the Italian design. Consequently, he was given the code name “Tony”, implying Italian roots. Official name: 三式戦闘機 - rikugun 3 shiki sentouki (Army Type 3 Fighter) Ki-61 was designed by Takeo Doi and his deputy Shin Owada in response formulated by Kaigun Kōkū Hombu (Imperial Japanese Navy Aviation Bureau) at the end of 1939 needs two new fighters based on the new inline engine. They had a license to use a copy of the German Daimler Benz DB601 engine (the license was acquired in 1937), produced under the name Ha-40 engine by companies belonging to Kawasaki Akashi. Ki-60 was to be heavily armed interceptor, which is used for offensive operations at low and medium altitudes. Ki-61 would be his complement, lower wing loading, more maneuvering and more lightly armed.

In all of its versions, the Ki-61 Hien was a single-seat, single-engine fighter made almost entirely from metal alloys; only the control surfaces were fabric-covered. It was ruggedly constructed, and was relatively heavy for a Japanese fighter. The aft part of the triangular cross-section fuselage was long for a fighter powered by a DB-601 engine (or one of its copies), and featured a type of “razorback” dorsal structure behind the cockpit. The engine was in the nose, together with a pair of 12.7 mm caliber Ho-103 machine guns. The Ho-103 was a light weapon for its caliber (around 23 kg) and fired a light shell, but this was compensated for by its rapid rate of fire. The ammunition capacity was limited, having only around 250 rounds for each weapon. The windshield was armoured together with a 13 mm armoured steel plate in the pilot’s seat. Fuel capacity was around 550 l (145 gal) allowing for a long range (over 1,000 km (540 nm) without external tanks). The wings were quite large in area, giving a low wing loading. They housed another pair of machine guns or cannons, as well as the undercarriage gear when raised.

Variants: Ki-61 Prototypes: 12 build Ki-61-I-Ko - fully retractable tailwheel, 2x7,7 mm Type 89 machine guns in the wings and 2x synchronized 12,7 mm Ho-103 machine guns in the forward decking. Capable of carrying one 151 L drop tank or a light bomb. Ki-61-I-Otsu - tailwheel retraction mechanism was unreliable, the aircraft was modified accordingly. 4 x 12,7 mm Ho-103 machine guns Ki-61-I-Otsu Kai - was built in conjunction with the Otsu variant, the wing machine guns were replaced by German Mauser MG 151/20 20 mm cannons. Ki-61-I-Ko Kai - was built in conjunction with the Ko variant, the wing machine guns were replaced by German Mauser MG 151/20 20 mm cannons. Ki-61-I-Kai Hei - variant with 2 x 20 mm Ho-5 cannon in the wings and two synchronized 12,7 mm Ho-103 machine guns. Ki-61-I-Kai Tei - variant with 2 x 30 mm Ho-105 cannon in the wings and two synchronized 12,7 mm Ho-103 machine guns. Ki-61-I One experimental aircraft with new evaporation system, as used on the Heinkel He 100. It was the fastest Ki-61 built, achieving 630 km/h Ki-61-II Prototypes (8 build) with 1120 kW (1500 hp) Ha-140 engine and first flown in December 1943 - project cancelled. Ki-61-II-Kai - Pre-production version which reverted to the Ki-61-I wing, a 220 mm fuselage stretch, enlarged rudder, and Ha-140 engine; 69 built. Ki-61-II-Kai Ko - armed with 2 x 12.7 mm machine guns in the wings and 2 x 20 mm cannon in the fuselage. Ki-61-II-Kai Otsu - Hien armed with 4 x 20 mm cannon. Ki-61-III or Ki-61-II Kai Hei - cut-down rear fuselage and a canopy design which was later used by the Ki-100-I-Otsu

References: I.J.Army Kawasaki typ 3 & 5 Fighter - Model Art Magazine 428, 1994 Kawasaki Ki.61 Ki.100 Hien in Japanese Army Air Force Service - Richard M. Bueschel, Osprey Publishing Aircam Aviation Series 21 P-38 Lightning vs Ki-61 Tony New Guinea 1943-44 - Donald Nijboer Osprey Duel 26, 2010 Kawasaki Ki 61 Hien -Bulletins Techniques De L’Aviation Japonaise 1925-1945 №1 - Takeda Tetsuya, Takamori Junko, Aditions d’Along 2005 Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien - Famous Airplanes of the World 98 - Bunrin Do, 1978 Kawasaki Army typ 3 Fighter “Hien” Tony - Famous Airplanes of the World 17 - Bunrin Do, 1989 The Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien - Rene J. Francillon, Profile Publications Number 118 Ki-61, Ki-100, Ki-48 - Mechanism of Military Aircraft 2 Ki-61 and Ki-100 Aces - Nicholas Millman, Osprey Publishing Aircraft of the Aces 114 Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien Ki-100 - Leszek A. Wieliczko, Kagero Monographs 58 Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War - R. J. Francillon, Putnam & Company 1970 Japanese Aircraft Equipment 1940-1945 - Robert C. Mikesh, Schiffer 2004