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Kawasaki Ki-61
| Ki-61 Hien | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Fighter aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Kawasaki Kōkūki Kōgyō K.K. |
| Primary users | Imperial Japanese Army Air Service |
| Number built | 3,078[1] |
| History | |
| Introduction date | 1942 |
| First flight | December 1941 |
| Retired | 1945 |
| Developed from | Kawasaki Ki-60 |
| Developed into | Kawasaki Ki-100 |
The Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien (飛燕, "flying swallow") is a Japanese World War II fighter aircraft. Used by the Imperial Japanese Army Air Service, it was designated the "Army Type 3 Fighter" (三式戦闘機).[2] Allied intelligence initially believed Ki-61s were Messerschmitt Bf 109s and later an Italian Macchi C.202, which led to the Allied reporting name of "Tony", assigned by the United States War Department.[3] The design originated as a variant of the Kawasaki Ki-60, which never entered production. The Ki-61 became the only mass-produced Japanese fighter of the war to use a liquid-cooled inverted V engine. Over 3,000 Ki-61s were produced. Initial prototypes saw action over Yokohama during the Doolittle Raid on 18 April 1942, and continued to fly combat missions throughout the war.[4][5]
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Francillon, 1979, p. 120was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Mondey 2006, p. 144.
- ^ Ethell 1995, p. 82.
- ^ Bueschel 1971, p. 7.
- ^ Bueschel 1971, p. 6.
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