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简体中文| FIREPOWER |
|
10 |
|---|---|---|
| MANEUVERABILITY |
|
6 |
| CLIMB RATE |
|
5 |
| DURABILITY |
|
6 |
| SPEED |
|
7 |
| GROUND ATTACK |
|
3 |
|
Crew
1
|
Primary Guns
2 x 20 mm Type 1 (Ho-5) cannon with 110 rpg in cowl.
|
Secondary Guns
2 x 30 mm Ho-155 cannon with 80 rpg in wings.
|
Defensive Guns
–
|
Ordnance
2 x 220 lb (100 kg) or 2 x 551 lb (250 kg) bombs or 2 x 317 lb (144 kg) drop tanks under wings.
|
Engine(s)
1 x Army Type 4 (Nakajima Ha.45 / 23) air-cooled radial rated for 2,000 hp at sea level (2,050 hp with WEP).
|
|
Int Fuel Capacity
1,126 lbs (511 kg) of benzine plus 282 lbs (128 kg) of methanol-water mixture.
|
Ext Fuel Capacity
634 lbs (288 kg) in 2 drop tanks under wings/
|
Maximum Speeds
392 mph (631 kph) at 20,080 ft (6120 m).
|
Climb Rate
5.9 min to 16,400 ft (5000 m).
|
Service Ceiling
34,450 ft (10500 m).
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Range
1,053 – 1,347 miles (1695 – 2168 km).
|
|
Wingspan
36 ft 10.4 in (11.24 m)
|
Length
32 ft 6.6 in (9.92 m).
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Height
11 ft 1.3 in (3.39 m).
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Loaded Weight
7,965 lbs (3613 kg).
|
Wing Area
226 sq ft (21 sq m).
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Wing Loading
35.2 lbs/sq ft (172.0 kg/sq m).
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History
Design work began in early 1942 and in April 1943 the first prototype, powered by the 18-cylinder Ha-45 radial engine, took to the air. Testing proceeded smoothly and by June the first machines were handed over to the JAAF for Service Trials. Pilots by now were recognizing the value of speed and durability and although the top speed was a bit lower than required, at 624 kph (388 mph) it was the best plane the Army had available for immediate production.
Eighty-three pre-production machines were built between August 1943 and March 1944, with minor changes to the structure being made throughout the process. Upon completion of Service Trials the Ministry of Munitions ordered the plane into production as the Ki-84-Ia Hayate (Japanese for Gale). A second batch of pre-production machines was then started with the final changes to the airframe structure, which included a rack under each wing capable of carrying a 300 liter drop tank or a 250 kg. bomb. The experimental Chutai, which had operated the Ki-84 during Service Trials, was disbanded with most members being used to form the 22nd Sentai, which was equipped with Hayates and shipped to China to face off against Chenault’s 14th Air Force.
Five weeks after being sent to China, the 22nd Sentai was transferred to the Philippines where they joined five other Hayate Sentais in head-to-head combat with the best Allied fighters of the time. Quickly dubbed the ‘Frank’ by the Allies, it was found to be slower than the P-51s and P-47s it faced, but could climb and turn much quicker than either American fighter and was therefore considered a formidable opponent. However, the engine was difficult to maintain and the hydraulic system suffered from sudden failures. This combined with weak main gear that often collapsed on landing, caused by poor manufacturing standards, to render many aircraft unserviceable without even having seen action.
Shortly after the introduction of the Ki-84-Ia to combat, the company introduced another two variants to the production line, which would be assembled in parallel with the -Ia. The -Ib model had the two cowl mounted 12.7mm machine guns replaced by pair of 20mm Ho-5 cannon, while the -Ic model additionally replaced the wing mounted Ho-5s with 30mm Ho-155s. The -Ic model was intended to be used as a heavy bomber interceptor, with its 30mm cannon capable of bringing down a B-29 with only a few hits.
Strengths
- Firepower — The combination of two 30mm and two 20mm cannon with good ammo loads gives the Frank-Ic a firepower as good as any other single-engine fighter.
- Speed — Though somewhat slower than Frank-Ia, the -Ic is still fast enough to catch other prop planes in the game.
Weakness
- Bomb Load — With a capacity of only two 551 lb. bombs, the Frank-Ic has to rely on its guns to make it a capable ground-attack fighter