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Mitsubishi Ki-46-III B (三菱 キ46-III乙)
The Mitsubishi Ki-46-III B is a Japanese night fighter/attack aircraft created by modifying the Ki-46-III reconnaissance aircraft. It was established in June 1944 in response to the intensifying bombing of the B-29. 75 Ki-46-III B aircraft were built, which were used until the end of the war.
History
In May 1944, the bombing of the Japanese islands began to intensify, so the air command began to quickly look for a solution to this problem. It was decided to use a temporary solution, i.e. the Ki-46 reconnaissance aircraft in the latest third variant, because it had the best performance of the current aircraft in Japan’s inventory. Development work went very quickly (because it was a simple modification) and the first flight of the new night fighter took place in June 1944. The aircraft was positively tested and put into service as the Ki-46-III B. 75 aircraft of this type were created, which were effective at first, but after the fall of Iwo Jima, when the B-29s received a P-51D escort and changes in bombing tactics, the Ki-46-III B aircraft began to suffer heavy losses. This aircraft was used together with the Ki-46-III B+B and regular Ki-46-IIIs, which were armed with cluster bombs. Some of the planes were to be used as attack aircraft.
Photos of the Ki-46-III B
Construction description
The Mitsubishi Ki-46 aircraft is a twin-engine low-wing aircraft with a metal structure, with landing gear retractable in flight. The aircraft had covered cabins, the front one accommodated the pilot and the observer/navigator. The aircraft is powered by two 1,500 hp (1,103 kW) Ha112-II engines. Two 20mm Ho-5 cannons are mounted in the nose of the machine with a supply of 200 rounds per cannon, in addition, the aircraft can be equipped with Type 2 No. 6 No. 21 “TA-DAN” cluster bombs.
Type 2 No. 6 No. 21 "TA-DAN" bomb assembly
Weapons Photos
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 11 m (36 ft 1 in)
- Wingspan: 14.7 m (48 ft 3 in)
- Height: 3.88 m (12 ft 9 in)
- Wing area: 32 m2 (340 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 3,831 kg (8,445 lb)
- Gross weight: 6,124 kg (13,730 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 × Mitsubishi Ha-112-II 1500hp
- Propellers: 3-bladed constant-speed metal propellers
Performance
- Maximum speed: 629 km/h (390 mph, 339 kn)
- Cruise speed: 425 km/h (264 mph, 229 kn)
- Range: 2,480 km
- Maximum Range: 4,000 km
- Service ceiling: 12,300 m
- Maximum Rate of Climb: 7,7 m/s
Armament
- Guns:
- 2 × 20mm Ho-5 cannons in the nose (200 rounds per cannon)
- Bombs:
- 2 x Type 2 No. 6 No. 21 “TA-DAN
Summary
The Mitsubishi Ki-46-III B would be an interesting aircraft for Japan in War Thunder. This aircraft has very good performance at high altitudes, and thanks to its two Ho-5 cannons, it will be an ideal killer of enemy bombers. I encourage you to discuss in the comments and to share your own knowledge on this topic.
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
Mitsubishi Ki-46 – Wikipedia, wolna encyklopedia
Уголок неба ¦ Mitsubishi Ki-46-III Kai (airwar.ru)
Mitsubishi Ki-46 ‘Dinah’ (historyofwar.org)
Micubiši Ki 46-IIIb [Dinah] : Micubiši (valka.cz)
【キ46】一〇〇式司令部偵察機『新司偵』/三菱Mitsubishi Ki-46 | 大日本帝国軍 主要兵器 (japanese-warship.com)
Mitsubishi Ki.46 Type 100 (Dinah) Info (daveswarbirds.com)
Mitsubishi Ki-46 DINAH - reconnaissance, training (aviastar.org)
Mitsubishi Ki-46 (Dinah): Photos, History, Specification (tvd.im)
(Mitsubishi Ki-46 (Dinah): Photos, History, Specification)
Mitsubishi Ki-46 (warintheskies.org)
Mitsubishi Ki-46 (airvectors.net)
Mitsubishi Ki-46 (Dinah) Reconnaissance / Heavy Fighter / Bomber Interceptor Aircraft (militaryfactory.com)
Book sources
- Japanese Aircraft of Wolrld War II : 1937-1945 ,Thomas Newdick, Edition 2 2017, page 24-25
- 082 Profile Publications Aircraft Profile The-Ki-46 page 8
082 - Profile Publications - Profil samolotu - Ki-46 | PDF (scribd.com) - Mitsubishi Ki-46 Dinah
Mitsubishi Ki-46 Dinah PDF | PDF (scribd.com) - La Aviacion Japonesa enla Segunda GuerraMundial page 309-310
Aviones Japonese | PDF | Fuerzas aéreas del ejército de los Estados Unidos | Avión de combate (scribd.com)