Static Ki-61 or Flyable Ki-100 ?

[Dan K]

Matt Sharkey's recent post of Gerry Yagen's Tony project (plus just a touch of boredom) inspired this question:

Since the supply and potential maintenance of airworthy Ha 40 V-12s is an issue, would WIXers rather see a static Ki-61 or an airworthy Ki-100?

The P&W R-2000 would appear to be close in dimension and output to the Ki-100's original powerplant.

Precision has the jigs. R-2000s are (comparatively) plentiful.

So, whadda ya say?

[mike furline]

Gerry's plane, Gerry's choice.

[Dan K]

Wasn't thinking exclusively Mr. Yagen's Tony.

Other airframes survive.

Imagine the choice is yours to make.

Static V-12 or Flyable radial?

[The Inspector]

The HA-40 was a slightly modified license built DB-601 so.............................an ALLISON with weed sweeper headers?

[Mark Allen M]

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Last edited by Mark Allen M on Mon Sep 10, 2012 11:33 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Dan K]

So Dan, when do you start your new build Ki-100?

Lol...as soon as I'm done with the TBY, I guess.

[Django]

In light of the never ending question being "Is that a Zero?" I would go for a Ki-61, Allison powered.

[Obergrafeter]

Put sharks teeth and invasion stripes on it and they will still call it a Zero. I have a lot of hours in "Zeros" Looked like a Kate to me, but the know it all public is never wrong.

[Dan Jones]

Though the Ki-61 is more recognizable, supposedly the Ki-100 was the better fighter. I'd hate to see an original Ki-61 get b@stardized with an R2000 just to make it fly, I'd rather see it on static display, but I wouldn't have a problem with one re-engined with a DB601.

Can you convince an Allison to run upside down?

Dan

[The Inspector]

Dimensionally the Allison is close to the 601 so modifying the cowling a bit and doing like Meier did with their Dora with an Indiana Tractor motor and puttin' on weed sweepers for exhaust on it (guess you need to be an olde tymey hot rodder to remember them) should be fine for effect, or hang an R-2000 on it and call it a KI-100. Things are so much more advanced over 25 years ago when people would walk away from a smashed pile of tin as 'hopeless' now, because of advancements and computers we have real FW-190's, real A6M's, and other 'you'll never see one for real' types either flying or close to flying, isn't the plan to rebuild Liberty Bell from the wings and a few scraps of heat treated aluminum? Ya need A) Money B) expert tin benders C) time and materials plus some place to keep the rain off.

[Dave Lindauer]

If working with a substantially original airframe, I can see going airworthy with a DB 601 or DB 605, or static with the original engine.

If working with a mostly new build airframe, then a Ki-100 configuration with something like an R-1830 would make a lot of sense.

(I imagine that if you could manage to graft an Allison onto a Tony it would look about as good as a Merlin on a Messerschmitt!)

[The Inspector]

If working with a substantially original airframe, I can see going airworthy with a DB 601 or DB 605, or static with the original engine.

If working with a mostly new build airframe, then a Ki-100 configuration with something like an R-1830 would make a lot of sense.

(I imagine that if you could manage to graft an Allison onto a Tony it would look about as good as a Merlin on a Messerschmitt!)

Except the early model ALLISONS have a prop snout that was centered on the front end of the block because of it's very long planetary gear reduction case, what makes a MERLIN in a Messerschmitt look weird is the high mounted prop stub shaft and all the aerodynamic 'sculpting' done to reduce frontal area

[Dan Jones]

Do inverted V-12's (not that there's alot of them running around) have any hydraulicing issues like the bottom cylinders of a radial?

[oz rb fan]

one of the problems with reengining a ki61 with an Allison is the side cowls...they are integral part of the airframe,not removable like most inline fighters.
a new build ki100 would be wonderful,but i cant wait for the growl of the ha40 taking to the sky.
there are several db 601's and 605's flying so this isn't insurmountable .

[PropsRule]

Interesting question. My first thought was, "Completely New-Build Ki-100 with R-2000".