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Mitsubishi Ki-46-II with 37mm Type 98 cannons (三菱 Ki-46-II 37mm 九八式砲装備)
The Mitsubishi Ki-46-II with a 37mm Type 98 gun was a Japanese interceptor fighter developed in early 1943. A total of 16 or 17 modified Ki-46-IIs were produced. These aircraft were assigned to Special Attack Squadron 12 of the 6th Air Division stationed in Rabaul. They were not used in combat.
History
After capturing Rabaul in February 1942, the Japanese established a large airbase there to support the operations of the Japanese Navy and Army. However, the construction of a large airbase attracted the attention of American intelligence, and subsequently American heavy bombers B-17 and B-24. In 1942, the best-armed Japanese army fighter was the Kawasaki Ki-45, but it was only being introduced into production. Throughout 1942, air raids and air battles intensified across the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. Therefore, in December 1942, the command of the army air group from Rabaul requested the delivery of heavily armed interceptors, because the Type 89 7.7mm and Ho-103 12.7mm machine guns were insufficient, and the Ho-3 20mm cannons also did not meet the requirements. At the same time, the Japanese Navy faced this problem as well (thus the Navy fighters A6M3 with Type 2 cannons and Nakajima J1N1-S were developed). In response to the demands of the Japanese army, the command ordered the construction of a heavily armed version of the Ki-45 fighter (Ki-45 Otsu), which was to be equipped with a Type 98 37mm tank gun instead of the Ho-3 20mm cannon. It was also decided to arm the reconnaissance aircraft Mitsubishi Ki-46-II. This decision was driven by the fact that the Ki-46-II was a very fast aircraft, which would allow for easier interception of enemy bombers. The modification of the Mitsubishi Ki-46-II involved installing the Type 98 37mm gun in the nose of the aircraft, and the gun’s breech was located between the pilot’s legs, allowing the pilot to reload it (the Type 98 gun had to be loaded manually) and the installation of equipment for aiming. In January 1943, a prototype Ki-46-II with the Type 98 gun was created, and firing tests began. The tests showed that it was possible to fire one shot every 3 minutes, which was due to the fact that the pilot had to reload the Type 98 gun. However, it was concluded that the low rate of fire was not a problem. It was decided that the modified Ki-46-II would attack the enemy bomber, then retreat to a safe distance where the Type 98 gun would be reloaded, and then the attack would be repeated. After tests, production of an additional 15 or 16 modified Ki-46-IIs with the Type 98 gun began. The first batch of aircraft was ready by the end of January 1943, and then on February 1, the first 6 (?) aircraft were delivered to the escort carrier Taiyō. The carrier Taiyō along with its sister ship Chūyō set sail for Truk Island with the transport of aircraft. The modified Ki-46-IIs with the Type 98 gun arrived at Truk. Then, on February 17-18, the aircraft were transferred by air to the base in Rabaul. There, the modified Ki-46-IIs were assigned to Special Attack Squadron 12 of the 6th Air Division. At one point in Rabaul, there were 12 modified Ki-46-IIs in service and 5 aircraft in reserve. However, at the Rabaul base, the modified Ki-46-II aircraft did not embark on any combat missions against the Americans because it was deemed too dangerous, and the aircraft were used for training flight crews. Unfortunately, it is unknown what happened to the modified Ki-46-II afterwards.
Art about Mitsubishi Ki-46-II with Type 98 cannon
Mitsubishi Ki-46-II from Rabaul (reference photos)
Construction description
The Mitsubishi Ki-46-II aircraft with a Type 98 gun is a twin-engine low-wing aircraft with a metal structure, featuring retractable landing gear. The aircraft had enclosed cabins, with the pilot and observer/navigator situated in the front. It is powered by two Mitsubishi Ha-102 engines, air-cooled, fourteen-cylinder engines with a starting power of 794 kW (1080 HP), which turn three-blade propellers at a constant rotation speed with a diameter of 2,950 mm. The aircraft is armed with a Type 98 37mm tank gun in the lower part of the nose, with its breech located in the cockpit between the pilot’s legs. It is unknown how many rounds were carried for it. In the navigator/observer position, a Type 89 machine gun is installed for self-defense, with a supply of 216 rounds.
Type 98 37mm gun
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 11 m
- Wingspan: 14.7 m
- Height: 3.88 m
- Wing area: 32 m2
- Empty weight: 3,263kg (?)
- Gross weight: 5,050kg (?)
- Powerplant: 2 × Mitsubishi Ha-102, air-cooled, two-star, fourteen-cylinder engine with a starting power of 794 kW (1080 HP)
- Propellers: Three-blade propellers with a constant rotational speed with a diameter of 2,950 mm
Performance
- Maximum speed: 604 km/h
- Cruise speed: 425 km/h
- Range: 2475 km
- Maximum Range: ?
- Service ceiling: 10720 m
- Maximum Rate of Climb: 7,7 m/s
Armament
- 1 x Fixed gun Type 98 37mm in the nose (16 rounds)
- 1 x Type 89 7.7mm machine gun in rear position (216 rounds)
Armor
- 37mm ammunition magazine armored at the front and rear with a 13mm armor plate
Summary
The Mitsubishi Ki-46-II with the Type 98 37mm cannon is an interesting aircraft for Japan in War Thunder. This aircraft would be a useful interceptor due to its speed and the firepower of the Type 98 cannon. Additionally armed, the Ki-46-II can become a tank hunter, attacking from the air with surprise and destroying enemy tanks. I encourage you to discuss in the comments and to share your own knowledge on this subject.
Finally, I apologize for the linguistic and logical errors because unfortunately English is not my main language and I had to use google translator.
Internet sources
一〇〇式司令部偵察機 - Wikipedia
Micubiši Ki 46 Šin Šintei [Dinah] : Micubiši
作品４３８ 百式司令部偵察機II型 戦車砲装備改造機 - こだわりプラモ館 -団塊おやじの暇つぶし-
typ 98 37 mm panzerkanone
Mitsubishi Ki-46
Book sources
- 082 - Profile Publications - Aircraft Profile - The Ki-46
082 - Profile Publications - Aircraft Profile - The Ki-46 | PDF - Japanese Heavy Fighters 1937-1945 , page 99-101
- Lotnictwo Wojskowe numer 5/2003 (Military Aviation No. 5/2003) , page 39
Thank you for reading the suggestion, see you in the next one. Good luck pilots
