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The Ongoing Mystery Aircraft Thread Part Deux.

Yes, but being pedantic, at the time the photograph was taken it was the CW Cygnet G-AEMA! However no hairs should be split - so it's back to Chris. :icon29:
 
A two seat fighter. The example captured by the RAF, in the Japanese retreat from Singapore, was flight tested by way of comparison against the Mosquito before, presumably, it was scrapped. But it wasn't the only captured example. The Americans had one too. But they had more foresight. As a result, it survives to this day - in a museum but, sadly, sans ailes!
 
I have no more clues to offer but I'll leave this mystery to run for a few more hours, in the hope that someone will identify it. If not, I'll reveal its identity and call open house - and then expect stasis again!
 
Gentlemen:


I have a few comments on the Ki45/Ki46 picture.
I know that the captions on pictures can be misleading.

I've seen this picture before but can't find it again.


I believe this is a Ki46
Look at the angle of the vertical stab.
Size at the base compared to top
No armature between fix fin and rudder as on Ki45


The tailwheel looks more like Ki46 than the Ki45 one


The pitot tube is further out like on the Ki46


Not to mention the shape of the nose which got me saying it was Ki46.


Sincerely


Chris
 

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Having regard to the fact that what I know of Japanese aircraft of the Second World War probably could be written on the back of a postage stamp, with space to spare, I'm in no position to enter this debate. I sourced the picture from the 4/1979 issue of Air-Britain Aeromilitaria magazine, where the photograph is captioned: 'Among the captured Japanese aircraft tested at Singapore during the last quarter of 1945 was this Kawasaki Ki-45 KAIa Toryu twin-engined fighter. No.89 Squadron apparently flew it, probably for comparison tests with its Mosquitos after which it was presumably broken up', and I relied on that caption. So if Air-Britain is correct and it's a Ki-45, the ball is with Andy. But if Air-Britain is incorrect and it's a Ki-46, the ball is with Chris. Might I please leave it to you two gentlemen to resolve the matter between yourselves and then for one of you to post another mystery to give this thread the legs which it hasn't had of late!
 
Dan Pub said Dinah first. As I said people make the wrong captions on many aircraft I've found. Mostly civil. So I just put my 2 cents in.

Thanks

Chris
 
On closer inspection I agree with Chris. The vertical stabiliser is wrong for the Ki-45, right for the Ki-46.

Ki-46_100sitei.jpg

My answer was based on your comments about there being the one survivor, in an American museum; coincidentally there is only one Ki-46 surviving, also in a museum, but on my side of the pond at Hendon.
 
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