Kawasaki Ki-100lb

Specifications:

Length: 8.82 m (28 ft 11 in)
Wingspan: 12.00 m (39 ft 4 in)
Height: 3.75 m (12 ft 4 in)
Wing area: 20 m2 (215 sq ft)
Empty weight: 2,525 kg (5,567 lb)
Gross weight: 3,495 kg (7,705 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Mitsubishi Ha 112-II radial engine, 1,120 kW (1,500 hp) at take off.
Maximum speed: 580 km/h (360 mph, 313 kn) at 6,000 m (19,700 ft)
Cruise speed: 400 km/h (249 mph, 217 kn)
Range: 2,200 km (1,367 mi, 1,189 nmi)
Service ceiling: 11,000 m (36,090 ft)
Climb to 5,000 m (16,400 ft): 6 min.
Guns: 2 × 20 mm fuselage-mounted Ho-5 cannons, and 2 × 12.7 mm (.50 in) wing-mounted Ho-103 machine guns

Initially conceived as a stop gap design, the Kawasaki Ki 100 Ib was one of the finest Japanese fighters of World War Two although not introduced until 1945.

Redesignated the Ki100, the first prototype made its maiden flight on 1 February 1945. Following an accelerated and highly successful flight test programme, 272 of the stored airframes were rebuilt to Ki100 Ia standard between February and June 1945 and pressed into service as Army Type 5 fighters. An additional 118 new airframes with bubble canopies designated Ki100 1b were manufactured before the Japanese surrender.

The overall assessment of the Ki-100’s combat effectiveness is quite high. In the hands of an experienced pilot, the Ki-100 could outwit any American fighter, including the formidable P-51D Mustang and P-47N, which accompanied the B-29 on raids over Japan.

The Ki-100 was comparable in speed, especially at medium altitudes, and together with the Ki-84 and Kawanishi N1K-J armies, it was a formidable foe.