KI-61 Tony

[Mick Grinter]

I saw my first KI-61 Tony today,just a wreck can't belive how small it is can't believe how big the engine is. It is to be set up as a diorama a real waste.I would love to build one.

[Jeff]

So where was this Ki-61 Mick?

[Mick Grinter]

The Tony is Robert Greinert's and is going on display at Precision Aero at Wangaratta.
It's just a wreck but i recon i could build one.
Mick

did you made any pictures?, I love to see some.
About the engine, isn't it just a licence build DB601?
So I don't think this plane would be much smaller then a Me-109??

Arjan

[Mick Grinter]

Arjan what's your email adress i will send you a couple of picks.
Mick

[Jeff]

Me too please Mick, got a tony cockpit section just up the road from me at classic jets.

from memory you have my email address, if not I know I have yours.

ok emailadress,

melodenise@yahoo.com,

I thought he only retrieved a frontsection of the plane, but i will see for myself if you sent me the pics, thanks in advance

arjan

[B-24WillowRun]

The Ki-61 Hein "Swallow" Allie Tony, was thought to be German or Italian at first because of the in-line engine. It was based on the DB 601 engine the Japanese built Ha-40. The Bf 109 was about the same size. The Ki-61 was in some It entered service in 1943 and if Japan could have developed it as a naval fighter it could have helped to replace the A6M. But the engine plant was bombed out and only a limited number were in service. I really like this fighter. It would be nice to try and find any data to compair it with the 109

Ps did you see his p-47 project as well??

Arjan

[setter]

Hi all

Robert posts on this site occasionally so you may be able to get him to talk about the Tony - I believe it has been here for a while as it was known about some time ago. Robert is a private person and I think we should respect his privacy here but if he chooses to let us know i am sure we would all appreciate a rundown on his Tony and plans.

I am led to believe that although the engine is loosely based upon a Daimler Benze that it is not really like one at all especially the blocks are much different.

Roberts P47s are located in Sydney which is a long way from Wangaratta where the Tony is.

Mick could I also have a copy of the photos?? Please Please Please

Kindest regards
John parker

[Michel Lemieux]

Hi Mick,

I remember a long time ago, you telling me he had more than one wreck.

Is it the case ?

I love that bird ( The Ki-61 of course )

So.......Does anyone has better pics of the one at Chiran at the Kamikaze Peace Museum.

They never did ansewred any of my e-mails.

I'm almost certain the HA-40 is an exact copy of the db601.

And about the Ki-61, afther the engine factory was bombed they put in a radial engine, which gabe a far better performance. This plane was called the ki-100 (if i'm right).
I really love the ki-61 its a gorgous plane.

Arjan

[B-24WillowRun]

The Ha-40 was a very close copy of the db601. But the Japanese had production problums. The Hien was a good manuveralbe and rugged airframe. Yes after the B-29 raid that flattened the engine pant there were about 250 airframes with out engines. Some were given a radial, (not have the make with me) caled the Ki-100 "Experiental fighter". good proformance at altitude and could get up to the B-29s. But the Ki-100 cam e late and in small numbers to make any real differance.

The Ki-61 could hold its own, but it was a big step for the IJA as it was the only operational inline engine that I have found. After the Ha-40 plant was blasted some airframes had the Db 601 engines installed, this is about 4 airfraes I think. It was not that bad

the D4Y1 Judy had also an inline engine

Arjan

[JDK]

There is the sole surviving (IIRC) Ki100 in the UK; it was at RAF St Athan, then moved to Cosford Air Museum and is now in the Milestones of Flight at the RAF Museum, Hendon. It's there as 'typical Japanese Fighter' as they don't have a Zero in the collection.