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The Kawasaki Ki-100 was a World War II Japanese fighter aircraft that was developed by Kawasaki Aircraft Industries. It was a derivative of the Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien, which was known as the "Tony" in the Allied reporting code.

Here are some key features and information about the Kawasaki Ki-100:

  1. Development:

    • The Ki-100 was developed as an attempt to address issues with the air-cooled radial engine of the Ki-61 Hien. It involved replacing the inline liquid-cooled engine of the Ki-61 with a radial engine.

  2. Radial Engine:

    • The Ki-100 was powered by a Mitsubishi Ha-112-II radial engine, which offered better reliability and ease of maintenance compared to the inline engines used in the Ki-61.

  3. Performance:

    • The radial engine conversion improved the overall performance of the aircraft. The Ki-100 was known for its excellent rate of climb and maneuverability.

  4. Role:

    • The Ki-100 served as an interceptor and fighter aircraft, tasked with countering Allied aircraft over the Pacific and Japanese home islands.

  5. Production:

    • Production of the Ki-100 began in 1944, and the aircraft entered service in 1945. However, its production numbers were limited due to the challenges Japan faced during the later stages of World War II.

  6. Combat Service:

    • The Ki-100 saw limited combat service towards the end of World War II. It was used by the Imperial Japanese Army Air Service (IJAAS) in the defense of Japan.

  7. Post-War Evaluation:

    • After the war, Allied forces evaluated the Ki-100 and recognized its favorable performance characteristics. Some surviving examples were tested and studied by the United States.

  8. Legacy:

    • The Ki-100's legacy lies in its attempt to improve the Ki-61 Hien's reliability. While it came late in the war and had limited production, its radial engine design contributed to better overall performance.

The Kawasaki Ki-100 remains a notable aircraft in aviation history, showcasing the adaptability and efforts made by Japanese engineers to enhance the capabilities of their existing fighter designs during the challenging final stages of World War II.