Nakajima Army Type 2 Single-Seat Fighter Shoki / Ki-44 (Tojo)
Technical Information

Background
The Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF) Army Type 2 Single-Seat Fighter. Shoki (demon or devil-queller in Japanese) / Ki-44 Tojo. Designed in parallel with the Ki-43 Oscar, the Ki-44 was designed as an interceptor, with emphasis on speed versus climb and maneuverability.

During September 1942, accepted by the Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF). The Ki-44-I was first encountered by Allied Forces over China, Burma and Malaya. During October 1942, the updated Ki-44-II entered production with a more powerful engine.

In September 1943 the Type 2 Single-Seat Fighter was announced to the public at the same time as the Type 100 Heavy Bomber (Ki-49 Helen) and Type 100 Command Reconnaissance Aircraft (Ki-46 Dinah).

By October 1943, the Allies knew about the Type 2 fighter from the crash site of Ki-44 1121 crashed July 1943 and Ki-44 1159 crashed September 9, 1943. Later, code named "Tojo".

The Ki-44 was generally disliked by pilots, and could be deadly to those with less experience but was moderately successful as an interceptor. Although fitted with armor protection and the self-sealing tanks, both were still largely ineffective against gunfire from Allied .50 caliber machine gun bullets.

The Ki-44-IIc Hei variant had a heavier armament configuration of four Ho-103 machine cannons, two in the nose and two in the wings. The Ki-44 was successful intercepting B-29 Superfortress bombers without fighter escort. On February 19, 1945 a small force of Ki-44 Tojos intercepted 120 B-29s and claim ten downed. Later, many Shokis expended themselves in suicide ramming attacks against B-29s.

Production
A total of 1,227 Ki-44 were built including a prototype, nine pre-production aircraft then 39 x Ki-44-I, 355 Ki-44-II, 394 Ki-44-II Otsu, 427 Ki-44-II Hei and a single Ki-44-III prototype. Production was phased out when Ki-84 Hayate (Frank) production began in December 1944.

Technical Details Ki-44-II Otsu
Crew  One (pilot)
Engine  One fourteen cylinder Ha-109 air cooled radial engine with three bladed propeller
Wingspan  31' 1/16" / 9.45m
Length  28' 9 7/8"
Height  10' 8"
Maximum Speed  376 mph
Range  1,056 miles
Armament  (nose) 2 x 12.7mm machine guns (nose) 2 x 12.7mm machine guns (wings)