This book covers the Japanese Army Air Force Ki-61
Hien, code-named
'Tony' by the Allies. Most Japanese Army and Navy aircraft were equipped
with radial engines, while the Tony was one of the first with a
liquid cooled engine. In 1937 Kawasaki had purchased a licence
to build the German Daimler Benz DB.601 engine, used in the Messerschmitt
109. Kawasaki
revised and lightened the engine, creating their own new design in
1940 the Ha-40, inverted V-12 engine.
The Tony
actually saw its first combat, accidentally, when it was in the air
when the Dolittle Raid was in progress, and intercepted the B-25s! Rushed
into combat, the fighter was plagued by teething problems and high
maitence but served until the end of the war, including being up-gunned
for intercepting B-29s and finally in taiatari (ramming) attacks
and kamakazie missions.
This book is full of photos and information on each variant and
examples captured by the Allies. One of the few books solely
on the Tony, it is a great addition to your book collection.