04-09-2008, 09:19 PM |
# 17 Quick Link (permalink)
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Join Date: Aug 2007 |
Location:
Longview, Texas | | |
| Re: My 1/72 Japanese plane collection
Nice IXO group of Japanese aircraft together, Airasair!! 
I think that the reason no diecast manufacturer has produced a Ki-44 'Tojo' is because this aircraft was loathed by its pilots. Although over 1,000 were built and it had an excellent rate of climb and excellent acceleration, it was not very manueverable, had weak armament, and a high landing speed. These reasons might sway some companies such as IXO, Marushin, or HobbyMaster from producing it. Conversely, only a couple hundred N1K2-J Shinden Kai 'George' aircraft were produced, but, because these were outstanding fighters and well-liked by their pilots, as we all know, IXO produced one and Marushin put out 2 different George aircraft. The Japanese people look at their history differently (more on the lines of respect and dignity) than those in Western cultures.
This is my theory!! | Not sure I would go with weak armament on the Ki. 44. Standard variant had four 12.7mm machine guns, some Ki.44IIc home defence variants packed four 20mm and one version had a pair of 12.7mm machine guns & a pair of 40mm cannon. Even read of one variant Ki. 44IIIb with two 20mm cannon & two 37mm cannon. Overall I think it campared armament wise quite similar to its stablemates. |
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Brewster Buffalo, Hawk 75A, Fokker D.XXI, Polikarpov I-16, Fiat G.50, Macchi C. 200, PZL P.11c, Fieseler Fi 156 Storch ,,,, now those are real planes.
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