Ki-45 tei

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

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

Description

The Ki-45 tei Toryu is a rank I Japanese twin-engine fighter with a battle rating of 1.3 (AB), 1.7 (RB), and 2.3 (SB). This aircraft was introduced in Update 1.31.

Being a classed as a heavy fighter, the Ki-45 isn't the best in the maneuverability category. However, for a heavy fighter, it maneuvers 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 maneuverability and speed for armament. Instead, the Ki-45s utilize more of an equilibrium between maneuverability, speed, and armament. These are what makes the Ki-45 both a capable dog-fighter, and bomber hunter.

General info

Flight Performance

Characteristics
Stock
Max Speed (km/h at 6,300 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
546	535	9900	25.2	25.6	16.5	16.5	520
Upgraded
Max Speed (km/h at 6,300 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
590	570	9900	23.7	24.0	23.0	19.5	520

Details

Features
Combat flap	Take-off flap	Landing flap	Air brakes	Arrestor gear
✓	✓	✓	X	X

Limits
Wing-break speed (km/h)	Gear limit (km/h)	Combat flap (km/h)	Max Static G
			+	-
712.5	350	390	~11	~7

Optimal velocities
Ailerons (km/h)	Rudder (km/h)	Elevators (km/h)	Radiator (km/h)
< 360	< 320	< 450	> 280

Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
1,800 m	2,080 hp	2,271 hp
Setting 2
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
5,100 m	1,870 hp	2,042 hp

Survivability and armour

• 16 mm Steel plates behind the pilot

Armaments

Offensive armament

      Main article: Bombs

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

• Without load
• 2 x 250 kg Navy Type Number 25 Model 2 bombs (500 kg total)

Defensive armament

The Ki-45 tei is defended by:

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

Usage in the battles

This variant of the Ki-45, 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. It's 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 his or her 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 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 bi-plane, 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 armor protection. Only the back of the pilot's seat and the nose has armor, 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.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer	Pitch	Radiator			Supercharger	Turbocharger
		Oil	Water	Type
Controllable	Not controllable	Not controllable	Not controllable	Separate	Not controllable	Not controllable

Modules

Tier	Flight performance		Survivability	Weaponry
I	Fuselage Repair	Radiator		Turret 7 mm	12 in (mod30)
II		Compressor	Airframe	New 7 mm MGs (Turret)	Offensive 20 mm
III	Wings Repair	Engine		New 20 mm Cannons
IV		Engine Injection	Cover	New 37 mm Cannons

• 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.

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 some aircraft
• Prone to fuel and engine fires
• Locks up at high 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
• Pilot is exposed in head-ons
• Very little anti-fighter capabilities

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.

In-game description

"Kawasaki Ki-45 KAI Hei (Tei), Model C (D), Type 2 Toryu (Allied reporting name: Nick) twin-engine army fighter

As a result of successful use of the Ki-45 KAI Ko (Tei) as an interceptor fighter, the Kawasaki Company received an order to design a special night version of the Ki-45 KAI Hei (Tei) fighter. Featuring the same Mitsubishi Ha-102 engines, the Ki-45 KAI Hei (Tei) had a 37 mm Но-203 cannon with 15 rounds mounted in the forward fuselage, a 20 mm Ho-3 cannon with 100 rounds mounted in the lower fuselage, and two 20 mm Но-5 cannons, with 100 rounds each, mounted in the upper fuselage at an angle, similar to the Schräge Musik configuration.

It should be noted that using the 37 mm Но-203 cannon at night often temporarily blinded the pilot after firing.

Radar was to be mounted in the fighter's nose section. But engineering problems did not allow the full implementation of this plan; the radar was fitted in the nose section under the plastic fairing on only one prototype aircraft.

The pilot's station was protected with a 17 mm armored headrest and backrest. The magazine of the Ho-203 cannon was also covered with 13 mm armor sheets, on the front and back. The radio operator/gunner had no armor protection whatsoever.

After American B-29 Superfortress bombers began to raid Japan, the combat load drastically increased for the sentais armed with Ki-45 fighters, which could oppose the American bombers, at least to some extent. From June 1944 on, all units with Ki-45s were lumped into the Air Defence Force of Japan.

Despite their absence of airborne radars, Toryu pilots achieved quite significant results. In particular, pilots of the 4th Sentai chalked up over 150 shot-down American aircraft.

A number of Ki-45 KAI Hei (Tei) aircraft from among those captured within the territory of China were used by the Chinese armed forces, including the People's Liberation Army during the Civil War in 1946-49."

Media

An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.

Read 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.

Sources

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

• topic on the official game forum;
• page on aircraft encyclopedia;
• 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