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Absolutely right, Cees...

Posted by Lynn on Fri Jul 26, 2002 07:17:51 AM

In reply top Kawasaki "Tony" v.s. Messerschmitt Bf 109 myth posted by Cees on Fri Jul 26, 2002 07:11:11 AM

Actually, if you look at the design, the Ki-61 has far more in common with the Macchi 202 than the 109, and this in fact was the reason the aircraft was codenamed "Tony"... Allied Intelligence presumed it was originally of Italian design (which it most certainly wasn't). And as you stated, for some reason the Japanese never could get the engine reliability situation sorted out on the DB copies which led directly to the substitution of a radial in a hasty lash-up... this became the Ki-100, a seriously kickass fighter in its own right.

Lynn (who finds the Ki61 to be a beautiful aircraft)

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