Ki-27 otsu

Ki-27 otsu

Ki-10-II C

Ki-43-I

Ki-27 otsu

Ki-10-II C

Ki-43-I

Japan

I Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
1.3	2.0	1.3

Class:

Fighter

Research:2 900

Purchase:700

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This page is about the Japanese fighter Ki-27 otsu. For Chinese version, see Ki-27 otsu (China).

Description

The Ki-27 otsu is a rank I Japanese fighter with a battle rating of 1.3 (AB/SB) and 2.0 (RB). It was introduced in Update 1.43.

The Ki-27 is a front-line fighter for interwar / pre-WW2 historical engagements such as the Battles of Khalkin Gol. In most maps, the Ki-27 will distinguish itself as a low-level dog-fighter; its performance below 1,000 m is superb and it can manoeuvre away from nearly any other comparable fighter. Like the Ki-10 series before it, the Ki-27 otsu suffers from its poor armament (twin 7.7 mm Type 89s) and weak armour, which means it makes for a poor interceptor despite its high speed, but the Ki-27 makes an excellent escort for friendly bombers and flying boats. Providing cover for their allied bombers is a top priority for the Ki-27 pilots.

Like its Ki-10 predecessor, the Ki-27 relies on its manoeuvrability for its protection. Turn-Fighting, therefore, is vital for a Ki-27 pilot. Avoid diving on opponents, due to the Ki-27's fuel feed issues, and focus on scaring enemy pursuers away from bombers rather than chasing a kill. A lone Ki-27 is easy prey for allied energy fighters. Like most Japanese fighters, engaging an enemy head-on is not recommended. If fighting an enemy "energy Fighter" head-on, a good strategy is to turn away (usually a slight turn as you'll want him to miss you, but also pass you), and hope that he turns to follow.

Like the comparable A5M4, the Ki-27's carburettor engine suffers from fuel feed issues in negative G manoeuvres, like diving. Nosing down will cause the engine to choke out. Positive G manoeuvres like the Split-S are preferred. This issue will allow enemies to out dive the Ki-27, so engaging at low altitudes is preferred.

Additionally, the Ki-27 runs hot and will overheat at 100% throttle on all but the coldest maps. To cool off, ease the throttle back to 40% or 50% and, if possible, try to gain altitude. If the engine overheats during a dog fight, try to break off if the opportunity presents itself. No pilot can outmanoeuvre an overheated engine.

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
Stock
Max Speed (km/h at 3,500 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
476	465	8500	10.2	10.6	8.5	8.5	180
Upgraded
Max Speed (km/h at 3,500 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
517	495	8500	9.8	10.0	18.6	12.8	180

Details

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

Limits
Wing-break speed (km/h)	Gear limit (km/h)	Combat flaps (km/h)	Max Static G
			+	-
		350	~10	~7

Optimal velocities
Ailerons (km/h)	Rudder (km/h)	Elevators (km/h)	Radiator (km/h)
< 350	< 350	< 350	> 296

Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
3,300 m	705 hp	846 hp

Survivability and armor

The Ki-27 does not have any armor, so your great turn rate is the only real defense. The fuel tanks aren't self-sealing either, which only strengthens the need to use your great turn rate. There is one fuel tank above and behind the oil cooling system; the rest are in the wings, with 2 in each wing.

Armaments

Offensive armament

The Ki-27 otsu is armed with:

• 2 x 7.7 mm Type 89 army machine guns, nose-mounted (500 rpg = 1,000 total)

Usage in battles

A superior dogfighter for turn-fighting, the Ki-27 is the first plane to begin showing the features typical of the Japanese "Zero" but with none of the bite. Its speed and manoeuvrability are plagued by engine problems, with no armour and a standard armament.

In battle, no Allied fighter can out-turn you, except for biplanes, but most will outgun you (and even most biplanes match the Ki-27 in armament).

Biplanes make easy prey for the Ki-27, (not to mention its turn time that's faster than the Chaika's) and the it can easily outmanoeuvre the P-36 Hawk, the F2A Brewster Buffalo and the I-16 Ishak, but their stronger armaments will knock out a Ki-27 in a single good burst. Simply outrunning any of them is an excellent evasive manoeuvre. Hurricane Mk Is can strictly complete with the Ki-27 Otsu in manoeuvrability, but the Hurricane's heavier armament (four times that of the Ki-27) can also quickly shred a Ki-27. Additionally, outrunning a Hurricane in a Ki-27 is not possible. I-15s, which the Ki-27 historically outperformed, will be the bane of a Ki-27s existence, as their excellent turn ability will force it into energy bleeding manoeuvres or Boom & Zoom style combat. Risky with competition around to abuse either state.

Despite its low battle rating, you can face some challenging foes when flying the Ki-27. Bi-planes will give you a run for your money in terms of manoeuvrability, while some early mono-planes will be faster and more heavily armed than you. Therefore, it is important to judge your foes accordingly.

One of the most challenging opponents is the I-153 Chaika. It is not a mere upgraded I-15bis, but in all performance aspects equal to the Nakajima Ki-27 fighter. Also on the Russian side, the Mig-3 is a significant threat. It is one of the fastest aircraft in its battle rating and has decent armament. In skilled hands, it can be an almost impossible opponent to combat, especially when using Boom & Zoom tactics against you. Your only defence will be to try and outmanoeuvre it or to lure it into a turn fight. The I-16 is also a familiar opponent.

From America, you will face the P-26. They are quite good divers and have a decent roll rate, but will not be able to outmanoeuvre you in a turn fight. The P-36 is more challenging. Faster and well armed, you will have to rely on your turn rate to try and outmanoeuvre them.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer	Pitch	Radiator			Supercharger	Turbocharger
		Oil	Water	Type
Controllable	Not controllable Not auto controlled	Controllable Not auto controlled	Controllable Not auto controlled	Separate	Not controllable 1 gear	Not controllable

Modules

Tier	Flight performance		Survivability	Weaponry
I	Fuselage repair	Radiator		Offensive 7 mm
II		Compressor	Airframe
III	Wings repair	Engine		New 7 mm MGs
IV		Engine injection	Cover

• At this rank, the order of research is mainly personal preference, though the Ki-27 Otsu will benefit significantly from defensive and performance enhancing modifications.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Great manoeuvrability, on par with biplanes
• Good stability in turns
• Good speed, for its tier
• Excellent climb, can reach above 20 m/s

Cons:

• Limited firepower
• Engine overheats rapidly on hot maps
• Engine chokes in negative G dives
• No armour

History

The Nakajima Ki-27 otsu began as the Ki-11, a competitor for the Kawasaki Ki-10 biplane. While faster and more modern than the Ki-10 biplane, the Ki-11 wasn't adopted because the Imperial Japanese Army valued manoeuvrability over speed. Nakajima continued development of the design before finalising the Ki-12, a modern monoplane with a liquid-cooled engine and retractable landing gear, but the Army denied it outright as too maintenance heavy for forward airbases in Manchuria and China. The redesigned plane instead featured a radial air-cooled engine, fixed landing gear and fully enclosed cockpit and received the designation Ki-27.

In 1936, the Ki-27 competed against the Kawasaki Ki-28 (a prototype design fated to never enter production) and the Mitsubishi Ki-33 (a de-navalised A5M). While the Ki-33 outperformed the Ki-27 in most regards, the Imperial Japanese Army was loath to adopt a "navy fighter", and approved the Ki-27 with minor modifications. The Ki-27 entered service as the Army Type 97 Fighter.

While the Ki-10 would not be finally phased out from front line service until 1942, by 1940, the Ki-27 was the primary army fighter on the front lines. It was unmatched by any plane in the Chinese air force inventory, and outperformed the Soviet I-15 and I-16 fighters in the Battles of Khalkhin Gol, with some pilots scoring 11 kills against Soviet planes in a single day. Against Chinese Curtiss P-36 Hawks, veteran Ki-27 pilots achieved similar, but not as impressive kill rates.

Over China, the Ki-27 was unmatched until the deployment of the P-40 Warhawks with the American Volunteer Group. After America's entry into the war, the Ki-27 also fared poorly against the US Navy's F2A Brewster Buffalo and F4F Wildcat and was removed from most front line service within the first months of the war, replaced by the much-improved Ki-43. However, it remained a front line fighter in Thai service, where the Ki-27 scored recorded kills against P-51s and at least one P-38.

Because of their high production numbers and relatively few losses, Ki-27 would see a renewed role late in the war as Kamikaze planes.

Media

Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.

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

• [Wikipedia] Nakajima Ki-27