Japan's Nakajima Ki-44 Shoki (devil queller, demon) fighter; Army Type 2
Allied code name: Tojo

Photos

Nakajima Ki-44 Shoki, "Tojo" fighter1:	Nakajima Ki-44 Shoki, "Tojo" fighter:
Nakajima Ki-44-II Shoki, "Tojo" fighter:
Nakajima Ki-44-IIb Shoki, "Tojo" fighter:
Nakajima Ki-44 Shoki, "Tojo" fighter:

Design

The Nakajima Ki-44 was designed for speed and rate of climb.^1,2 Most Japanese Imperial Army fighters were designed for manouverability.¹ Because of this it was initially unpopular with pilots.¹

Updates

The Nakajima Ki-44 was based on the Ki-43 Hayabusa but had maneuvering flaps.³

Prototype

The Ki-44 prototype was first flown in August 1940.^1,2,3 It was found that aerodynamic modifications were need to get the Ki-44 to perform up to expectations.² The Ki-44 was tested against a Kawasaki Ki-60 prototype and a Messerschmitt Bf 109E and was found to perform well enough to be put into production.³

The Ki-44-II prototype first flew in August 1942.¹

The Ki-44-III prototype first flew in June 1943.¹

Production

The pre production model was first delivered in 1941.¹ The Ki-44-I production model started delivery in January 1942.¹

• Nakajima Ki-44 prototypes and pre production: 10^1,2
• Nakajima Ki-44-I: 40^1,2,3
• Nakajima Ki-44-II and Nakajima Ki-44-III: 1,175¹
• Total: 1,225^1,2,3
  • Manufacturer: Nakajima Hikoki K.K.²
  • Production: 1942 - 1944², ? - December 1944¹

Variants

• Nakajima Ki-44 prototype: Had Nakajima Ha-41 radial engine (1,250 HP).² Had two 7.7 mm and two 12.7 mm machine guns.³
• Nakajima Ki-44 pre production: Modified canopy.¹ Rudder was modified.¹ Under wing drop tanks were installed.¹
• Nakajima Ki-44-I: Production.¹
• Nakajima Ki-44-Ia:
• Nakajima Ki-44-Ib: Four 12.7 mm machine guns.³
• Nakajima Ki-44-Ic:
• Nakajima Ki-44-II: More powerful engine.¹ The pilot received more armor.¹ The fuel tanks had added protection.¹
• Nakajima Ki-44-IIa:
• Nakajima Ki-44-IIb:
• Nakajima Ki-44-IIc: Had 20 mm, 37 mm, and 40 mm cannons installed.^2,3
• Nakajima Ki-44-III: Had Nakajima Ha-145 radial 18 engine installed (2,000 HP).^1,2,3 Tail surfaces were larger.^1,3 Wings were larger.^1,3

Usage

The Ki-44s were deployed primarily to the home islands, but some were located in Sumatra protecting the oil fields at Palembang.³

Accidents

Due to a high wing load, a high landing speed, and difficult handling the Ki-44 did some many accidents.¹ Snap rolls, spins, and stalls were forbidden to be done in the Ki-44.¹

China Burma India Theater

The Ki-44 was first used in combat in the China Burma India theater.¹ It later defended the oil fields at Palembang.¹

Crashing Into Bombers

In November 1944 a special unit was formed in Japan, using volunteers, that would crash their Ki-44s into B-29s.²

Specifications

	Nakajima Ki-44 Shoki1	Nakajima Ki-44-I Shoki1	Nakajima Ki-44-Ia Shoki1	Nakajima Ki-44-Ib Shoki1	Nakajima Ki-44-Ic Shoki1	Nakajima Ki-44-II Shoki1	Nakajima Ki-44-IIa Shoki1	Nakajima Ki-44-IIb Shoki1,2,3	Nakajima Ki-44-IIc Shoki1
Type	Fighter bomber1							Fighter2,3
Crew	11							12,3
Engine (Type)		Nakajima Ha-411				Nakajima Ha-1091		Nakajima Ha-1092,3
Cylinders		Radial 141				Radial 141		Radial 142,3
Cooling								Air2
Net HP		1,2601				1,5201		1,5202,3
Propeller blades	31
Dimensions
Span	31'1 9.45 m1							31'2,3 9.45 m3
Length	28' 10"1 8.79 m1							28' 10"2, 28' 10.1"3 8.79 m3
Height	10' 8"1 3.25 m1							10' 8"2,3 3.25 m3
Wing area								161.46 ft2 3 15 m2 3
Weight
Empty			4,286 lb1 1,944 kg1					4,643 lb1 2,106 kg1
Loaded
Maximum load			6,363 lb1 2,886 kg1					6,598 lb1,2 2,993 kg1
Performance
Speed
Speed @ 12,140' / 3,700 m			360 mph1 579 kph1					376 mph3 605 kph3
Speed @ 17,060' / 5,200 m								376 mph1,2 605 kph1
Cruising speed
Climb to 16,505' / 5,000 m								4.28 minutes3
Climb to 16,405' / 5,000 m			5.9 minutes1					4' 17"2, 4.3 minutes1
Service ceiling			35,500'1 10,820 m1					36,745'1,2,3 11,200 m1,3
Range			575 - 1,070 miles1 925 - 1,722 km1					805 - 1,056 miles1, 1,056 miles2,3 1,295 - 1,700 km1, 1,700 km3
Armament				4: 12.7 mm MG1	4: 12.7 mm MG1			4: MG2 4: 12.7 mm MG1
Nose			2: 7.7 mm MG1				2: 7.7 mm MG1	2: 12.7 mm Ho-103 MG3	2: 20 mm1
OR									2: 12.7 mm MG1
Wings			2: 12.7 mm MG1				2: 12.7 mm MG1	2: 12.7 mm Ho-103 MG3	2: 20 mm1
OR									2: 37 mm1
OR									2: 40 mm1
Bombs									2: 220 lb1 2: 100 kg1