TYPE: Interceptor fighter

ACCOMMODATION: Pilot only

POWER PLANT: One Nakajima Ha-109 radial engine, rated at 1,520 hp

PERFORMANCE: 367 mph at 17,060 ft

COMMENT: The Ki-44-IIc variant of the Nakajima Shoki aircraft was armed with wing-mounted 20 mm Ho-3 cannon that proved particular effective against the B-29’s attacking Japan. But in December 1944, Shoki production terminated as the aircraft was replaced on Nakajima’s assembly-lines by the Nakajima Ki-84 Hayate and, when the war ended, only three Sentais were still equipped with them. In total 1, 225 Ki-44’s were built (Ref.: 1, 6)