History

The Nakajima Ki-44 (Tojo) was an interceptor fighter designed and built in Japan.

Unlike previous Japanese fighters the Ki-44 gave priority to armament and speed over manoeuverability so it was capable of effectively intercepting B-29s.

This aircraft is in the markings of 70th Sentai, 3rd Chutai, Kashiwa Air base, Japan, June 1945.

It was flown by Captain Yoshio Yoshida, unit commander and 3rd Chutai leader.

He was second highest B-29 ‘killer’ of the 70th Sentai, six destroyed and one probable. He was awarded the Bukosho as most of his victories over the B-29’s occurred at night over Tokyo during bomber raids.

He also served in Manchuria prior to returning to Japan, survived the war but is now deceased.

Hasegawa 1/32 kit with Eduard IJAAF seat belts and Quick Boost resin exhausts. Painted in Floquil Old Silver, polished via cloth and the cockpit in Nakajima Green enamel. Completed by Wayne in 2020.

Data

MODEL: Nakajima Ki-44 (Tojo) (Wayne Eagles Gallery)

ROLE: Fighter

ENGINES: one Nakajima Ha-109 fourteen cylinder radial engine of 1070kW

WING SPAN: 9.45m

LENGTH: 8.84m

GROSS WEIGHT: 2764kg

MAXIMUM SPEED: 605 km/h

RANGE: 1200km

CREW: 1

ARMAMENT: four 12.7mm machine guns with provision for two 40mm cannon in the wings

SCALE: 1/32

KIT:

GALLERIES:

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