Ki-61 Hien

daveymac82c · **Posted:** Mon Jun 16, 2008 7:19 pm

In my opinion, that's one heck of a nice looking airplane! I'd say it's my favourite looking of all the Japanese fighters of the period. I say "looking" because I don't know how it compared with the Zero or other Japanese built fighters, but darn was it pleasing to the eyes. If it flew well too, then I'll name it my all time favourite Japanese fighter, but until then...

Thanks for posting.... by the way, what's with the, is it Taiwanese markings?

Cheers,

David

corsair166b · **Posted:** Mon Jun 16, 2008 9:13 pm

Chinese markings actually...

The Tony never did as well as the Zero, don't know why....it was referred to as the 'japanese Messerschmitt' because of its similarities to that design...however, later in the war, they hung some type of radial engine on it and it became the KI 100, considered by many to be one of the best japanese fighter designs of WWII, and it was actually just a fluke that they hung a radial engine on one and got that result! Luckily the KI 100 never really got up to full speed production wise due to the japanese manufacturing facilities being constantly bombed...

M

Steve Nelson · **Posted:** Mon Jun 16, 2008 10:34 pm

Definately a cool looking airplane. I read somewhere that the reason the Ki-61 was given the codename "Tony" was because at first Allied intelligence thought it was a Japanese-built copy of the Macchi 202.

It'll be awsome when the Fighter Factory's example gets in the air!

SN

n5151ts · **Posted:** Mon Jun 16, 2008 10:50 pm

daveymac82c · **Posted:** Mon Jun 16, 2008 11:16 pm

I didn't know there was one being restored to fly. That's exciting!

-David

Mgawa · **Posted:** Tue Jun 17, 2008 12:11 am

Steve Nelson wrote:

I read somewhere that the reason the Ki-61 was given the codename "Tony" was because at first Allied intelligence thought it was a Japanese-built copy of the Macchi 202.

Sorry to say but I don't see any relations between "Italia" and the name "Tony"... any info please? Is this something like the Germans was called Fritz, Soviet Ivan and so on?

Best series of Ki-61 was first when it was equiped with original German machine guns and good powerplat. As I know it was nice flying machine as well it have nice wing span.

National markings bellong to China. After the win of Mao Tse Tung, Chinesse nationalist, led by Chang Kai Shek, escaped to Formosa, today Taiwan, and bring this insignia with.

Steve Nelson · **Posted:** Tue Jun 17, 2008 1:34 am

Quote:

Sorry to say but I don't see any relations between "Italia" and the name "Tony"... any info please? Is this something like the Germans was called Fritz, Soviet Ivan and so on?

That's correct. In the U.S. the name "Tony" is often associated with people of Italian descent..short for "Antonio." Today, "Tony's" is a popular American brand of frozen pizza, and there have been many Italian restaurants and pizzarias named "Tony's."

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the Fighter Factory's Ki-61 is being rebuilt in New Zealand. I'm not sure how much of the finished aircraft will be original, or what kind of powerplant they'll be using.

SN

warbird1 · **Joined:** Fri Sep 21, 2007 6:25 pm **Posts:** 2760

Steve Nelson wrote:

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the Fighter Factory's Ki-61 is being rebuilt in New Zealand. I'm not sure how much of the finished aircraft will be original, or what kind of powerplant they'll be using.

SN

It's actually being restored at Wangaratta, Australia at Murray Griffiths place. I believe there are at least 3 being restored. I know at least one will be static and the Fighter Factory's will be restored to flying condition. I've heard they will use either the original Japanese power plant or a similar Daimler-Benz 600 series engine. I don't know if the third one will be static or a flyer. It should be pretty close to original as they had major structures in relatively good condition to start with.

Does anyone know if Kermit's Tony is one of the ones being rebuilt down under?

Chuck Gardner · **Posted:** Tue Jun 17, 2008 6:20 am

Yes it is

Chuck Gardner · **Posted:** Tue Jun 17, 2008 6:20 am

Yes it is

oz rb fan · **Joined:** Fri Dec 17, 2004 8:33 am **Posts:** 474

iirc there's 4 ki61's beeing restored at wangaratta
the one to go back to png
the fighter factory one
kimit's one
and one for murray :shock:

the fighterfactory one will hae a genuine ha40(licence built db 601)i'm not sure about the other flyer's

PeterA · **Posted:** Tue Jun 17, 2008 10:52 am

Here are a few snaps from my baby IXUS, March this year.

PeterA

Mgawa · **Posted:** Tue Jun 17, 2008 12:13 pm

Beautiful images!!! What is the small pins in the plate?

Dan K · **Posted:** Tue Jun 17, 2008 12:48 pm

Thanks much for posting those, PeterA!

Any idea which owner's Tony is furthest along in the process?

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Ki-61 Hien

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