Ki-45 tei

Ki-45 tei

Ki-45 otsu

Ki-45 tei

Ki-45 otsu

Japan

I Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
1.3	1.7	2.3

Class:

Fighter

Interceptor

Research:2 900

Purchase:700

Show in game

This page is about the Japanese twin-engine fighter Ki-45 tei. For other versions, see Ki-45 (Family).

Description

The Ki-45 tei Toryu is a rank I Japanese twin-engine fighter with a battle rating of 1.3 (AB), 1.7 (RB), and 2.3 (SB). It was introduced in Update 1.31.

Being a classed as a heavy fighter, the Ki-45 isn't the best in the manoeuvrability category. However, for a heavy fighter, it manoeuvres very well. It is even capable of out-turning aircraft such as the P-47D-25. Unlike heavy fighters of other nations, the Ki-45 series does not feature aircraft with large amounts of heavy weaponry. This is a major downside, considering how heavy fighters traditionally give up manoeuvrability and speed for armament. Instead, the Ki-45s utilize more of an equilibrium between manoeuvrability, speed, and armament. These are what makes the Ki-45 both a capable dog-fighter, and bomber hunter.

General info

Flight performance

Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.

Characteristics	Max Speed (km/h at 6,300 m)		Max altitude (metres)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (metres/second)		Take-off run (metres)
	AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
Stock	546	535	9900	25.2	25.6	16.5	16.5	520
Upgraded	590	570		23.7	24.0	23.0	19.5

Details

Features
Combat flaps	Take-off flaps	Landing flaps	Air brakes	Arrestor gear
✓	✓	✓	X	X

Limits
Wings (km/h)	Gear (km/h)	Flaps (km/h)			Max Static G
		Combat	Take-off	Landing	+	-
712.5	350	450	450	290	~11	~7

Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons	Rudder	Elevators	Radiator
< 360	< 320	< 450	> 330

Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
1,800 m	2,080 hp	2,271 hp
Setting 2
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
5,100 m	1,870 hp	2,042 hp

Survivability and armour

• 16 mm Steel plates behind the pilot

Armaments

Offensive armament

The Ki-45 tei is armed with:

• 1 x 37 mm Ho-203 cannon, nose-mounted (15 rpg)
• 2 x 20 mm Ho-5 cannons, Schräge Musik (100 rpg = 200 total)

Suspended armament

The Ki-45 tei can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

• Without load
• 2 x 250 kg Army Type 92 GPHE bombs (500 kg total)

Defensive armament

The Ki-45 tei is defended by:

• 1 x 7.92 mm Type 98 machine gun, dorsal turret (1,050 rpg)

Usage in battles

This variant of the Ki-45, the Ki-45 tei, features the first "schräge musik" armament of the series. Wielding one Ho-204 37 mm cannon and two Ho-5 20 mm cannons, the Ki-45 tei is the definition of a bomber hunter. It's 37 mm cannon allows the Toryu to take down bombers with ease, and its dual 20 mm cannons allow for even more flexibility in the bomber hunting department. Although deadly, the 37 mm cannon only holds 15 rounds, so shot placement is crucial. The round itself also travels fairly slowly in the air, making it hard to hit fast moving enemy fighters. The 20 mm cannons are best used in a secondary weapon role, as they are fixed at an upward angle. To use these weapons, one must bind a key to them via the in-game controls menu (it is on the first page that comes up, basic). Unique to the tei model, this Ki-45's ground attack role is improved due to the ability to equip bombs.

The Ki-45 tei also retains its impressive turn rate from the Ki-45 otsu. Although the aircraft itself is large and presents an "easy target" in many players' minds, the Ki-45 is rather nimble. Use this to your advantage when engaging enemy aircraft. Unfortunately, the Ki-45 is a heavy fighter, meaning its turn time is still not on par with other aircraft such as the F2A-3. In certain cases, the Ki-45 pilot may have to rely on his or her tail gunner to get the job done. The "tei" version of the Ki-45 features a 7.92 mm Type 98 machine gun with 1050 rounds. Although lacklustre, with shot placement it is possible to destroy enemies on the aircraft's tail. Aim for the pilot or the engine, as those are generally the weakest points on most aircraft. If the tailing enemy is a bi-plane, aim for the wings since they are very fragile.

The Toryu is also rather fragile for a heavy fighter. Although it does feature two engines, the Ki-45 does not have very much armour protection. Only the back of the pilot's seat and the nose has armour, leaving both the gunner and engines unprotected. This can prove costly in a fight. If one does find him or herself tailed, call upon teammates for assistance.

• In simulator, the Ki-45 has a decent frontal view with large pieces of glass in front, on top and to the sides, ensuring great visibility. The gunsight has enough room under, allowing easy tracking and leading of targets. However the side views are terrible as the wings & engines block out most of the view downwards, and a thick frame blocks out the upper area, as a result the common way of circling above an area to spot something is extremely limited. Rear visibility is almost non existent with the entire tail obstructed by the headset.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer	Pitch	Radiator			Supercharger	Turbocharger
		Oil	Water	Type
Controllable	Controllable Not auto controlled	Controllable Auto control available	Controllable Auto control available	Separate	Controllable 2 gears	Not controllable

Modules

Tier	Flight performance		Survivability	Weaponry
I	Fuselage repair	Radiator		Turret 7 mm	12 in (mod30)
II		Compressor	Airframe	New 7 mm MGs (turret)	Offensive 20 mm
III	Wings repair	Engine			New 20 mm cannons
IV		Engine injection	Cover	New 37 mm cannons

• Instead of focusing on armament like other heavy fighters, the Ki-45 is more balanced between armament and flight performance. While the default ammunition belts for both weapons on the Ki-45 ko are workable, it can help to upgrade. Unlocking the flight performance modules will help drastically in dogfights and turn fights.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Highly powerful 37 mm cannon
• Good manoeuvrability and climb rate for a heavy fighter
• Acceptable top speed
• 16.5 mm of armour in pilot's seat and added armour in the nose around cannon barrel
• Two engine design
• Capable of carrying 2 x 250 kg, unlike other Ki-45 variants

Cons:

• Beat in turn fights by some aircraft
• Prone to fuel and engine fires
• Locks up at high speeds
• Mediocre roll rate, gets worse as speed increases
• Limited ammunition for all weapons
• Lack of protection around fuel tanks, engines, and gunner
• Long cannon reload
• Pilot is exposed in head-ons
• Very little anti-fighter capabilities

History

Initially designed to be a bomber escort, the Ki-45 was first deployed in what is now China and Vietnam. It was found to be easily outclassed by P-40s piloted by the Flying Tigers. As a result, the Ki-45's role was changed to anti-shipping and ground attack, where it performed satisfactorily. Nonetheless, the Ki-45's greatest strength proved to be its bomber intercepting capabilities. Heavily armed with 37mm cannon, the Toryu (Dragon Slayer) could destroy heavy bombers with ease. As the war progressed, the need for an interceptor to defend the Japanese mainland was ever present. Soon, the Ki-45 was deployed to counter B-29 Superfortress raids. Although its armament was clearly deadly enough, the Ki-45 suffered at high altitudes. Pilots soon resorted to ramming attacks against the Superfortresses. Special attack groups specifically designed for this purpose formed, but by late 1945 Imperial Japan's fate had been sealed. The Allies allocated the name "Nick" to the Ki-45.

In-game description

Kawasaki Ki-45 KAI Tei (Model D) Type 2 Toryu (Allied reporting name: Nick) twin-engine army fighter

The Ki-45 KAI Tei fighter-bomber was built along with the night-fighter variant.

The armament on this version included one 37 mm Ho-204 cannon, with 15 rounds, mounted in the forward fuselage, and two 20 mm Но-5 cannons, with 100 rounds each, mounted at an angle in the upper fuselage.

Bomb racks were mounted under the centre wing section, one on each side of the fuselage, to suspend two 250 kg bombs.

The nacelles of the Mitsubishi Ha-102 engines had individual jet exhaust pipes to increase speed and reduce exhaust glow at night. Also, the barrels of the Но-5 cannons were equipped with flame arresters.

One Ki-45 KAI Tei aircraft was equipped with a 75 mm anti-tank gun, but its recoil proved to be too high for the fighter's relatively lightweight design.

Some early Ki-45s were also modified in the field to carry bombs. These planes were used at the end of the war by kamikaze pilots to perform suicide attacks.

Four Ki-45s were used by the Japanese for the plane's first suicide attack on Allied ships on May 28, 1944.

The Ki-45's production was discontinued in July 1945. A total of 1,701 Ki-45s were manufactured in all versions, including all prototypes and pre-production vehicles.

Media

Schräge Musik: a story of hesitation and confusion discusses the Ki-45 tei at 4:09 - War Thunder Official Channel

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

• reference to the series of the aircraft;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

• topic on the official game forum;
• encyclopedia page on the aircraft;
• other literature.

Japan twin-engine fighters and strike aircraft
Navy
Land-based Fighter
J1N	J1N1
J5N	J5N1
Army
Ki-45	Ki-45 ko · Ki-45 otsu · Ki-45 hei · Ki-45 tei
Ki-83	Ki-83
Ki-96	Ki-96
Ki-102	Ki-102 otsu
Ki-108	Ki-108 Kai
Ki-109	Ki-109