Ki-43
Development of thelegendary Ki-43 Hayabusa ("Peregrine Falcon") was started in late1937, and its first prototype was completed in 1939. The plane inherited a lotfrom the then main Imperial Army Ki-27 fighter. The specification for the newproject called for a higher range, ceiling, speed, and rate of climb, whilstkeeping the maneuverability at least (!) as good as that of the Ki-27. TheKi-43 is a typical example of the compromises that the Japanese designers hadto make. The excellent handling, rate of climb, and maneuverability of thefighter were achieved primarily by lightening the airframe as much as possible.As a result, its durability became so low that its pilots avoided diving due tothe risk of destroying the wings.
传奇的Ki-43(隼)于1937年开始设计,第一架原型机1939年完成。这架飞机继承了很多Ki-27的飞行特性。日本军方要求Ki-43在保持Ki-27的机动性的同时拥有高航程、高升限、高速度和高爬升率(!)。Ki-43是日本设计师被逼无奈的折中之作的典型,为了同时达到较好的操作性、爬升率和灵活性,设计师将机身做的尽可能轻。因此,这型飞机的耐久性奇差,飞行员要尽可能避免俯冲,以免损坏机翼。
The Ki-43-Ientered service in 1941 and successfully fought in Malaya, the Dutch EastIndies (Indonesia), Burma, and New Guinea. The Allied pilots who faced theseaircraft in the Pacific Ocean Theater were taken aback by the climb rate andmaneuverability of the Ki-43, which made it a tough target for the U.S.fighters, the P-36 and P-40 in particular.
Ki-43-I于1941年服役,并参与了马来亚、荷属东印度群岛(印度尼西亚)、缅甸和新几内亚的战斗。其优异的机动性和爬升率让盟军飞行员大吃一惊。美军战斗机——尤其是P-36和P-40——很难击落它。
The in-gameKi-43-I is very similar to its predecessor (the Ki-27) and features excellentmaneuverability in all axes, good energy conservation and dynamics, as well ashigh weapon accuracy. In top configuration, the planes are equipped with two 20mm cannons, although a high knockdown ability should not be expected. Thedisadvantages of the Hayabusa are typically low durability, susceptibility tocritical damage and fire, and quite low dive performance. Nevertheless, most adversarieswill not be able to outmaneuver this fighter in a turning battle at closerange. The main thing to remember when playing this aircraft is to stay awayfrom massive engagements; the Ki-43 is designed for duels.
游戏中的Ki-43-I和它的前辈(Ki-27)很相近:优秀的各轴向操作性、良好的存速和动力,以及较好的射击精度。完全体可以装备两门20毫米机炮。其缺点则是很低血量,很容易遭受模块损伤和着火,俯冲性能也比较差。尽管如此,绝大部分敌人无法在近身缠斗中战胜Ki-43-I。在游戏中驾驶这架战机时,记得远离敌人的大部队,Ki-43-I更擅长是一对一决斗。