Ki-45 tei

This page is about the Japanese twin-engine fighter Ki-45 tei. For other versions, see Ki-45 (Family).

Ki-45 tei

Ki-45 otsu

Ki-45 tei

Ki-45 otsu

Japan

I Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
1.3	1.7	2.3

Class:

Fighter

Interceptor

Research:2 900

Purchase:700

Description

A Ki-45 flying over Guadalcanal

The Ki-45 tei Toryu was the last mass produced variant of the Ki-45 series of fighter/striker aircrafts. It was the successor of the Ki-45 hei, a variant dedicated to engage naval assets. This version was conceived as a night fighter, equipped with the same 37mm Ho-203 autocannon as that found on the Ki-45 "otsu/乙" and "hei/丙". However, this time it came with two fixed 20mm Ho-5 cannons in Schräge Musik-style positions as well as its Type 98 7.92mm MG on the back operated by the gunner/radio operator.

Being a 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-45s utilize more of an equilibrium between manoeuvrability, speed, and armament. These are what makes the Ki-45 both a capable dog-fighter, and bomber hunter.

General info

Flight performance

Max speed

at 6 300 m570 km/h

Turn time24 s

Max altitude9 900 m

Engine2 х Mitsubishi Ha-102

TypeRadial

Cooling systemAir

Take-off weight5 t

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	546	535	9900	25.2	25.6	16.5	16.5	520
Upgraded	590	570		23.7	24.0	23.0	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

Crew2 people

Speed of destruction

Structural713 km/h

Gear350 km/h

• 16 mm Steel plates behind the pilot

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB98 → 127

RB166 → 216

SB208 → 271

Total cost of modifications2 975

885

Talisman cost190

Crew training200

Experts1 000

Aces20

Research Aces96 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

10 / 20 / 40 %

100 / 100 / 100 %

Modifications

Flight performance	Survivability	Weaponry
Fuselage repair Research: 200 Cost: 60 60 Radiator Research: 200 Cost: 60 60 Compressor Research: 135 Cost: 40 40 Wings repair Research: 185 Cost: 55 55 Engine Research: 185 Cost: 55 55 Engine injection Research: 320 Cost: 95 95	Airframe Research: 135 Cost: 40 40 Cover Research: 320 Cost: 95 95	mg_turret_belt_pack Research: 200 Cost: 60 60 mg15_turret_new_gun Research: 135 Cost: 40 40 10 in (mod24) Research: 135 Cost: 40 40 ho5_belt_pack Research: 135 Cost: 40 40 12 in (mod30) Research: 185 Cost: 55 55 ho5_new_gun Research: 185 Cost: 55 55 ho203_new_gun Research: 320 Cost: 95 95

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

Weapon 137 mm Ho-203 cannon

Ammunition15 rounds

Fire rate100 shots/min

Weapon 22 x 20 mm Ho-5 cannon

Ammunition200 rounds

Fire rate948 shots/min

The Ki-45 tei is armed with:

• 1 x 37 mm Ho-203 cannon, nose-mounted (15 rpg)
• 2 x 20 mm Ho-5 cannons, Schräge Musik (100 rpg = 200 total)

Suspended armament

List of setups (3)

Setup 12 x 50 kg Army Type 94 GPHE bomb

Setup 22 x 100 kg Army Type 94 GPHE bomb

Setup 32 x 250 kg Army Type 92 GPHE bomb

The Ki-45 tei can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

• Without load
• 2 x 50 kg Army Type 94 GPHE bombs (100 kg total)
• 2 x 100 kg Army Type 94 GPHE bombs (200 kg total)
• 2 x 250 kg Army Type 92 GPHE bombs (500 kg total)

Defensive armament

Turret7.92 mm Type 98 machine gun

Ammunition1050 rounds

Fire rate1000 shots/min

The Ki-45 tei is defended by:

• 1 x 7.92 mm Type 98 machine gun, dorsal turret (1,050 rpg)

Usage in battles

The Ki-45 tei features the first "Schräge Musik" armament of the series. Wielding one Ho-204 37 mm cannon and two Ho-5 20 mm cannons, the Ki-45 tei is the definition of a bomber hunter. Its 37 mm cannon allows the Toryu to take down bombers with ease, and its dual 20 mm cannons allow for even more flexibility in the bomber hunting department. Although deadly, the 37 mm cannon only holds 15 rounds, so shot placement is crucial. The round itself also travels fairly slowly in the air, making it hard to hit fast moving enemy fighters. The 20 mm cannons are best used in a secondary weapon role, as they are fixed at an upward angle. To use these weapons, one must bind a key to them via the in-game controls menu (it is on the first page that comes up, basic). Unique to the tei model, this Ki-45's ground attack role is improved due to the ability to equip bombs.

The Ki-45 tei also retains its impressive turn rate from the Ki-45 otsu. 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 "tei" version of the Ki-45 features a 7.92 mm Type 98 machine gun with 1050 rounds. Although somewhat lacklustre, with a few well-placed shots, 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 and the nose has armour, leaving both the gunner and engines unprotected. This can prove costly in a fight. If one does find him or herself tailed, call upon teammates for assistance.

• 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:

• Highly powerful 37 mm cannon
• Good manoeuvrability and climb rate for a heavy fighter
• Acceptable top speed
• 16.5 mm of armour in pilot's seat and added armour in the nose around cannon barrel
• Two engine design
• Capable of carrying 2 x 250 kg, unlike other Ki-45 variants

Cons:

• Beat in turn fights by many single-engine fighter aircraft
• Prone to fuel and engine fires
• Locks up at higher speeds
• Mediocre roll rate, gets worse as speed increases
• Limited ammunition for all weapons
• Lack of protection around fuel tanks, engines, and gunner
• Long cannon reload time in Arcade
• Pilot is exposed in head-ons
• Very little anti-fighter capabilities
• Hard to use the Schräge Musik effectively

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 37mm 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 Superfortresses. Special attack groups specifically designed for this purpose formed, but by late 1945 Imperial Japan's fate had been sealed. The Allies allocated the name "Nick" to the Ki-45.

Archive of the in-game description

Kawasaki Ki-45 KAI Tei (Model D) Type 2 Toryu (Allied reporting name: Nick) twin-engine army fighter The Ki-45 KAI Tei fighter-bomber was built along with the night-fighter variant. The armament on this version included one 37 mm Ho-204 cannon, with 15 rounds, mounted in the forward fuselage, and two 20 mm Но-5 cannons, with 100 rounds each, mounted at an angle in the upper fuselage. Bomb racks were mounted under the centre wing section, one on each side of the fuselage, to suspend two 250 kg bombs. The nacelles of the Mitsubishi Ha-102 engines had individual jet exhaust pipes to increase speed and reduce exhaust glow at night. Also, the barrels of the Но-5 cannons were equipped with flame arresters. One Ki-45 KAI Tei aircraft was equipped with a 75 mm anti-tank gun, but its recoil proved to be too high for the fighter's relatively lightweight design. Some early Ki-45s were also modified in the field to carry bombs. These planes were used at the end of the war by kamikaze pilots to perform suicide attacks. Four Ki-45s were used by the Japanese for the plane's first suicide attack on Allied ships on May 28, 1944. The Ki-45's production was discontinued in July 1945. A total of 1,701 Ki-45s were manufactured in all versions, including all prototypes and pre-production vehicles.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the Ki-45 tei from live.warthunder.com.

Videos

Schräge Musik: a story of hesitation and confusion discusses the Ki-45 tei at 4:09 - War Thunder Official Channel

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

• reference to the series of the aircraft;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

• topic on the official game forum;
• other literature.

Japan twin-engine fighters and strike aircraft
Navy
Land-based Fighter
J1N	J1N1
J5N	J5N1
Army
Ki-45	Ki-45 ko · Ki-45 otsu · Ki-45 hei · Ki-45 tei
Ki-83	Ki-83
Ki-96	Ki-96
Ki-102	Ki-102 otsu
Ki-108	Ki-108 Kai
Ki-109	Ki-109