Ki-84 otsu

Ki-84 otsu

Ki-84 ko

Ki-84 hei

Ki-84 otsu

Ki-84 ko

Ki-84 hei

Japan

IV Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
6.7	5.7	6.0

Class:

Fighter

Research:31 000

Purchase:200 000

Show in game

This page is about the aircraft Ki-84 otsu. For other uses, see Ki-84 (Family).

Description

The Ki-84 otsu Hayate is a Rank IV Japanese fighters with a battle rating of 6.7 (AB), 5.7 (RB), and 6.0 (SB). This aircraft was introduced in Update 1.37.

General info

Flight Performance

Characteristics
Stock
Max Speed (km/h at 6,000 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
667	651	13000	20.2	20.8	14.2	14.2	421
Upgraded
Max Speed (km/h at 6,000 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
?	692	13000	??.?	19.4	??.?	17.9	421

Details

Features
Combat flap	Take-off flap	Landing flap	Air brakes	Arrestor gear
X	X	X	X	X

Limits
Wing-break speed (km/h)	Gear limit (km/h)	Combat flap (km/h)	Max Static G
			+	-
837	270	???	~??	~?

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

Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
?,??? m	??? hp	?,??? hp

Survivability and armour

• 13 mm steel backrest
• 6 mm steel headrest
• 70 mm bulletproof windshield, sloped

Armaments

Offensive armament

The Ki-84 otsu is armed with:

• 4 x 20 mm Ho-5 cannons, nose and wing mounted. (150 rpg = 600 total)

Suspended armament

The Ki-84 otsu can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

• Without load
• 2 x 50 kg bombs
• 2 x 250 kg bombs

Usage in battles

The Otsu modification is the middle child of the Ki-84 family, dropping the 12.7 mm heavy machine guns from the previous model in favour of two additional Ho-5 20 mm cannons, boosting firepower considerably. It retains the same strengths and weaknesses of said previous model. Equipped with a 2,000 HP engine, this aircraft's performance is on par with that of the legendary P-51 Mustang. However, unlike the Mustang, the Ki-84 has solid turning characteristics and excellent climb rate thanks to its lighter weight. This being said, the Ki-84 also has good energy retention, so try to make your opponent bleed energy to have an edge. The Ki-84 was also one of the first mass-produced Japanese aircraft to come equipped with armoured glass, armour plates and self-sealing fuel tanks, but the armour is still lacklustre compared to its Russian and American counterparts. However, as always, not everything is perfect. The aircraft controls stiffer significantly at speeds above 630 km/h, making even slight adjustments to heading impossible. Thus, at higher speeds, its elevator suffers. The Ki-84 also suffers a lot when no modules are researched, making the aircraft almost useless until modifications are unlocked.

This aircraft should be played as it appears: a lightweight Japanese version of the Mustang, retaining good engine performance, decent climb-rate, high diving performance and relatively lacklustre armament, although slightly improved from the previous model.

Unfortunately, the increased firepower comes at the cost of a higher BR, especially so in Arcade. While a .3 BR increase in RB isn't that bad on the surface, it allows you to face vastly superior aircraft such as the F8F-1B, Spitfire F Mk 24 and P-51H-5-NA that outclass you in almost every way. In arcade, the BR increase is a lot less...subtle, a whole 1.3 BR increase to be precise. This increase causes the aircraft to occasionally be up-tiered into 7.0 matches with jet aircraft that will walk all over the poor Ki-84. Fortunately for the Hayate, it retains its advantage of excellent engine power - and by extension, top speed, climb rate and energy retention - and superb maneuverability that can turn with nearly every aircraft at the tier. While the Ko modification of the aircraft was brutal to play efficiently, the Otsu is a lot more forgiving, but can still wreak havoc in the hands of a skilled pilot.

Flying Styles

File:An example of the Zoom Maneuver.png

Example of the Zoom Maneuver

The Ki-84 Otsu is an aircraft that can tailor to any form of dogfighting its pilot can dream of. Its high top speed, decent acceleration, excellent maneuverability, great climb rate, and superb energy retention create a very stable platform when used properly, and a skilled Ki-84 pilot can single-handedly dictate the flow of the battle.

Basic Combat:

The excellent energy retention combined with fantastic maneuverability allow the Ki-84 to be a very solid energy fighter that can easily compete with the 109's and the various Italian fighters at its tier. Ideally you should make use of the Vertical spiral or Zoom maneuver to bleed your prey's energy then pounce while they're recovering. Do take care to avoid roll-intensive maneuvers such as scissors or lag rolls, as the Ki-84 has a mediocre roll rate that only gets worse with speed as a result of its severe compression.

Of course due to being a Japanese fighter, the naturally excellent raw maneuverability of the Hayate allows it to be a more than capable classic dogfighter who specializes in Turn-N-Burn tactics that can easily get on a bandit's tail. However it is noteworthy than the aircraft can struggle to regain its energy once it has bled it by turn-fighting, so avoid flat turns and go for climbing and diving turns instead so as to quickly regain its advantages.

Defensive Flying:

Of course, there are scenarios where the Ki-84's pilot will have to go on the defense. The aircraft cannot afford to take many hits, so avoiding as many shots as possible is mandatory for your survival. Defensive energy maneuvers such as the Immelmann, Defensive spiral and the various Yo-Yo's should be your first choice when being attacked. If an enemy is diving on you, try to force an overshoot with your excellent maneuverability and engage while the enemy is zoom-climbing.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer	Pitch	Radiator			Supercharger	Turbocharger
		Oil	Water	Type
Controllable	Not controllable	Not controllable	Not controllable	Separate	Not controllable	Not controllable

Modules

Tier	Flight performance		Survivability	Weaponry
I	Fuselage Repair	Radiator			9 in (mod23)
II		Compressor	Airframe	Offensive 20 mm
III	Wings Repair	Engine			12 in (mod27)
IV		Engine Injection	Cover	New 20 mm cannons

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Excellent maneuverability, among the best in its tier
• Competitive speed and accelleration
• Reasonably powerful armament with a decent amount of ammo
• One of the most underestimated aircraft at the tier
• Above-average climbing rate
• Very forgiving and enjoyable to fly

Cons:

• Weak airframe that is prone to fires
• Severe compression beyond 630 Km/h
• Ho-5 cannons have a tendency to spark
• Can face jets in an up-tier

History

The Nakajima Ki-84, code-named Frank by the Allies or Hayate (Gale) to the Japanese, was the fastest single-engine fighter used by the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force in World War II. It marked the evolution of the series of fighters produced by Nakajima starting with the Ki-27 Nate, and continuing with the Ki-43 Oscar and Ki-44 Tojo. It outperformed the F6F Hellcat, P-51 Mustang and P-47 Thunderbolt. It was a powerful high-altitude fighter that combined the nimbleness of the Ki-43 with the heavy firepower of the Ki-44. It was used to intercept B-29 Superfortresses and was armed with two 12.7 mm machine guns above the cowling and two 20 mm cannons located in the wings. It made its inaugural flight in April 1943 and from the drawing board to the production line was only ten months.

It was powered by a 1,800 hp (1,342 kW) fuel injected Homare Ha-45, 18-cylinder radial engine. It was a very powerful engine, very much the equivalent of the 2,000 hp (1,491 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-2800 engine. However, the engine was rushed into production and suffered from fuel starvation which was eventually modified with a low pressure system. Other problems included a faulty hydraulic system and a weak landing gear that would snap during hard landings. Landing gear metal components were brittle due to a shortage of steel alloys and the airplane was plagued with inferior workmanship due to a shortage of skilled workers.

The Ki-84 reached a maximum level speed of 387 mph (624 km/h) and in a dive was able to reach a top speed of 496 mph (687 km/h). It had an endurance of 1½ hours and had a range of 250 miles. It could climb to 5,000 m. (16,405 ft.) in 6 minutes and 26 seconds and had a ceiling of 12,400 m. (40,680 ft.). It was also considered to be a relatively easy plane to fly, reducing time for training new pilots. The first batch of 83 airplanes was completed between August 1943 and March 1944. They were equipped with a centerline fuel tank and external bomb wing-racks to carry a total of 250 kg (551 lb.) of bombs. Service tests were conducted under operational conditions in October 1943. A second batch of 42 aircraft was started in April 1944. The centerline fuel tank was deleted and wing racks could carry either 44 litres of fuel or a total of 250 kg. of bombs. Total production was 3,382 aircraft in only 17 months and continued right up to the end of the war. This was no mean feat since production was constantly being disrupted by continual bombing from B-29 Superfortresses. In late August of 1944, the Ki84 first entered combat over China with the 22nd Air Regiment (this Regiment had been involved in the testing/training period of the new fighter). Initial results were excellent, catching the American Army Air Force pilots completely off guard. While a skilled Ki-84 pilot was evenly matched with the best US pilots and equipment, the majority of Ki-84s lost in the Philippine battles were destroyed on the ground. Overwhelming numbers of US planes controlled the skies and as time went on, the Japanese were soon fighting a losing battle.

Total production was 3,382 aircraft, including its variants. 

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:

• Ki-84 (Family).

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

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