Ki-45 ko
| This page is about the Japanese twin-engine fighter Ki-45 ko. For other versions, see Ki-45 (Family). |
Contents
[hide]Description
The Ki-45 ko Toryu is a rank I Japanese twin-engine fighter with a battle rating of 1.7 (AB) and 2.7 (RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.31.
Being classed as a heavy fighter, the Ki-45 isn't the best in the manoeuvrability category. However, for a heavy fighter, it manoeuvres very well. It is even capable of out-turning aircraft such as the P-47D-25. Unlike heavy fighters of other nations, the Ki-45 series does not feature aircraft with large amounts of heavy weaponry. This is a major downside, considering how heavy fighters traditionally give up manoeuvrability and speed for armament. Instead, the Ki-45 utilises more of an equilibrium between manoeuvrability, speed, and armament. These are what makes the Ki-45 both a capable dogfighter and bomber hunter.
The first variant of the Ki-45, the Ki-45 ko, features the least "hard-hitting" armament of the series. Wielding two Ho-103 12.7 mm machine guns and one Ho-3 20 mm cannon, this aircraft is the best suited for dogfighting as it has the largest total ammunition pool out of all the Toryus. Sitting at rank I, this beast is more than capable of shooting down anything it may face.
The Ki-45 also has a very good turn rate, unlike other heavy fighters. Although the aircraft itself is large and presents an "easy target" in many players' minds, the Ki-45 is rather nimble. Use this to your advantage when engaging enemy aircraft. Unfortunately, the Ki-45 is a heavy fighter, meaning its turn time is still not on par with other aircraft such as the F2A-3. In certain cases, the Ki-45 pilot may have to rely on their tail gunner to get the job done. The "ko" version of the Ki-45 features a 7.92 mm Type 98 machine gun with 1,050 rounds. Although lacklustre, with shot placement it is possible to destroy enemies on the aircraft's tail. Aim for the pilot or the engine, as those are generally the weakest points on most aircraft. If the tailing enemy is a biplane, aim for the wings since they are very fragile.
The Toryu is also rather fragile for a heavy fighter. Although it does feature two engines, the Ki-45 does not have very much armour protection. Only the back of the pilot's seat has armour, leaving both the gunner and engines unprotected. This can prove costly in a fight. If one does find themselves tailed, call upon teammates for assistance.
General info
Flight performance
| Characteristics | Max Speed (km/h at 6,300 m) |
Max altitude (metres) |
Turn time (seconds) |
Rate of climb (metres/second) |
Take-off run (metres) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AB | RB | AB | RB | AB | RB | |||
| Stock | 551 | 533 | 9900 | 24.9 | 25.5 | 16.4 | 16.4 | 520 |
| Upgraded | 593 | 570 | 23.2 | 24.0 | 23.1 | 19.5 | ||
Details
| Features | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combat flaps | Take-off flaps | Landing flaps | Air brakes | Arrestor gear |
| ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | X | X |
| Limits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wings (km/h) | Gear (km/h) | Flaps (km/h) | Max Static G | |||
| Combat | Take-off | Landing | + | - | ||
| 712.5 | 350 | 450 | 444 | 308 | ~11 | ~7 |
| Optimal velocities (km/h) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ailerons | Rudder | Elevators | Radiator |
| < 360 | < 320 | < 450 | > 330 |
Survivability and armour
- 16 mm Steel plates behind the pilot.
Modifications and economy
| Flight performance | Survivability | Weaponry | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Instead of focusing on armament like other heavy fighters, the Ki-45 is more balanced between armament and flight performance. While the default ammunition belts for both weapons on the Ki-45 ko are workable, it can help to upgrade. Unlocking the flight performance modules will help drastically in dogfights and turn fights.
Armaments
Offensive armament
The Ki-45 ko is armed with:
- 1 x 20 mm Ho-3 cannon, belly-mounted (100 rpg)
- 2 x 12.7 mm Ho-103 machine guns, nose-mounted (350 rpg = 700 total)
Defensive armament
The Ki-45 ko is defended by:
- 1 x 7.92 mm Type 98 machine gun, dorsal turret (1,050 rpg)
Usage in battles
The Ki-45 ko's armament is much more suited for dogfighting than its later, 37 mm cannon-armed variants. With a moderate ammunition pool, it is easily possible to destroy multiple enemies with this aircraft. It is recommended to use the 20 mm cannon only when the pilot is confident of hitting the enemy aircraft, as it only holds 100 shells. The 12.7 mm machine guns are where most of the damage will be done at range.
In Simulator, the Ki-45 has a decent frontal view with large pieces of glass in front, on top and to the sides, ensuring great visibility. The gunsight has enough room under, allowing easy tracking and leading of targets. However the side views are terrible as the wings & engines block out most of the view downwards, and a thick frame blocks out the upper area, as a result the common way of circling above an area to spot something is extremely limited. Rear visibility is almost non existent with the entire tail obstructed by the headset.
Manual Engine Control
| MEC elements | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mixer | Pitch | Radiator | Supercharger | Turbocharger | ||
| Oil | Water | Type | ||||
| Controllable | Controllable Not auto controlled |
Controllable Auto control available |
Controllable Auto control available |
Separate | Controllable 2 gears |
Not controllable |
Pros and cons
Pros:
- 7.92 mm tail gun
- Fairly good speed
- 16.5 mm of armour in pilot's seat
- Good manoeuvrability
- Two engine design
- Effective armament
- Very good climb rate
Cons:
- Beat in turn fights by some aircraft
- Prone to fuel and engine fires
- Locks up at high speeds
- Mediocre roll rate, gets worse as speed increases (compression)
- Limited ammunition for all weapons
- Lack of protection around fuel tanks, engines, and gunner
History
Initially designed to be a bomber escort, the Ki-45 was first deployed in what is now China and Vietnam. It was found to be easily outclassed by P-40s piloted by the Flying Tigers. As a result, the Ki-45's role was changed to anti-shipping and ground attack, where it performed satisfactorily. Nonetheless, the Ki-45's greatest strength proved to be its bomber intercepting capabilities. Heavily armed with 37 mm cannon, the Toryu (Dragon Slayer) could destroy heavy bombers with ease. As the war progressed, the need for an interceptor to defend the Japanese mainland was ever present. Soon, the Ki-45 was deployed to counter B-29 Superfortress raids. Although its armament was clearly deadly enough, the Ki-45 suffered at high altitudes. Pilots soon resorted to ramming attacks against the Superfortress'. Special attack groups specifically designed for this purpose formed, but by late 1945 Imperial Japan's fate had been sealed.
| [Expand]Archive of the in-game description |
|---|
Media
- Skins
- Videos
See also
- Related development
External links
Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:
- topic on the official game forum;
- other literature.
| [Expand]Kawasaki Aircraft Industries (川崎航空機工業株式会社) |
|---|
| [Expand]Japan twin-engine fighters and strike aircraft |
|---|
