The Kawasaki Ki-61 "Tony"

The HF Kawasaki Ki-61, a variant of the renowned Japanese World War II fighter aircraft, embodied the pinnacle of engineering innovation in its era. Born from the collaboration between Kawasaki Aircraft Industries and the Ha-40 engine's development by the Japanese Army, the Ki-61 boasted a streamlined, all-metal monocoque design-a stark departure from traditional Japanese aircraft construction. Its powerplant, a Kawasaki Ha-40 liquid-cooled inline engine based on the German Daimler-Benz DB 601, propelled it to impressive speeds, enabling it to compete fiercely with Allied counterparts. Armed with a combination of synchronized machine guns and wing-mounted cannons, the Ki-61 was a formidable opponent in the Pacific Theater. Though facing production challenges and vulnerability due to its engine layout, the Ki-61's agility, firepower, and durability left an indelible mark on aviation history, showcasing Japanese engineering prowess amidst the tumult of World War II.
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[@roum22]

A streamlined beauty...

[@mikearmstrong8483]

Very informative and great variety of photos.
Only 2 issues.
1) The speech to text needs much better editing. The voice was quite easy to understand, but the text was often nonsensical.
2) The Japanese may have been using fabric covered planes when the Ki-61 was first thought of, but all metal construction was standard by the time it flew.

[@SimonsMilitaryStuff]

Agreed on the captions. Have dropped them in the latest video. Ta on the "cloth covered' should really have just mentioned the super light aluminium alloy that was no better than cloth.