This aircraft represents an Army Interceptor Fighter, Type 2, Nakajima Ki-44 IIC Hei, 70th Sentai 3rd Chutai, flown by Capt. Yoshida Yoshio.
The Nakajima Ki-44 IIC Hei, Allied codename Tojo, was a single-engine fighter aircraft used by the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force in World War II, first flying in August 1940 and entering service in 1942. The Japanese Army designation for this aircraft was Type 2 Single-Seat Fighter. This aircraft was powered by a Nakajima Ha-109 of 1,130 kW (1,520 hp) engine.
The IIc version Tojos, armed with heavy cannon, were used against B-29s by one special kamikaze unit (a company of four aircraft minimum) of the 47th Sentai, which specialized in bomber collision tactics, the Shinten unit (Shinten Seiku Tai or Sky Shadow) and the 47th Sentai (Air Regiment) based at Narimasu airfield, during the defense of Tokyo.
In contrast to its predecessor, the nimble Ki-43, the Ki-44 was designed for speed and climbing ability and was used to intercept high flying B-29 Superfortress bombers. With its poor visibility on the ground, weak armament, and high landing speed, it was generally disliked by pilots. Armament consisted of Four 12.7 mm (.50 in) Ho-103 or two 12.7 mm (.50 in) Ho-103 and two 40 mm (1.57 in) Ho-301 cannons placed in each wing.
The Nakajima Ki-44 IIC Hei, Allied codename Tojo, was a single-engine fighter aircraft used by the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force in World War II, first flying in August 1940 and entering service in 1942. The Japanese Army designation for this aircraft was Type 2 Single-Seat Fighter. This aircraft was powered by a Nakajima Ha-109 of 1,130 kW (1,520 hp) engine.
The IIc version Tojos, armed with heavy cannon, were used against B-29s by one special kamikaze unit (a company of four aircraft minimum) of the 47th Sentai, which specialized in bomber collision tactics, the Shinten unit (Shinten Seiku Tai or Sky Shadow) and the 47th Sentai (Air Regiment) based at Narimasu airfield, during the defense of Tokyo.
In contrast to its predecessor, the nimble Ki-43, the Ki-44 was designed for speed and climbing ability and was used to intercept high flying B-29 Superfortress bombers. With its poor visibility on the ground, weak armament, and high landing speed, it was generally disliked by pilots. Armament consisted of Four 12.7 mm (.50 in) Ho-103 or two 12.7 mm (.50 in) Ho-103 and two 40 mm (1.57 in) Ho-301 cannons placed in each wing.
