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Im in april -42 and I have received for some odd reason a large squadron of Ki-45 KAIa's, even though I'm not producing it.

I've noticed it performs quite badly against other fighters but decently against bombers, maybe due to its armor, large MG's and cannon. The Ki-45 KAIc model later is IMO outperformed by Georges and Franks etc but should I Ramp up the production for the Ki-45 KAIa now for using against heavier bombers?

ITs fine use it to attack B17(Bombers)...and ships not to fight others fighters..

Tigercub

and maintain the "A" version if you want to use it as anti-bomber

"B" and "C" are better as ground/ ship attack; but will not work as well against bombers

Thanks! Will produce it a bit until the Georges and Franks.

There are some thoughts on these airframes in The KI-45's thread.

Here's an image I stitched together from that thread.

[center][/center]

Note that some of the cannons although packing a punch are woefully inaccurate.

I hope you or others find it helpful. [:)]

Loved your tests Zulu!!!! They have been a great help for me to decide which line to produce and invest! Thanks a lot
 
I cannot but agree with what others have already said. The "a" version is the only one really usable in anti-bomber role.
The plane is a good one, imho. If used correctly it can hold his own well into 1943/1944. Then you get the KI-102 as a fighter bomber to substitute it on the line.
 
However use it to protect your inner bases, those who are beyond the range of P-38s. Against B-24s or B-17s it's possibly the best plane japan has untill very late in the war.
It has a centerlined 20mm cannon, armour, and it's more durable (36 vs.30) than the 2nd generation IJN and IJA fighters (George, Frank etc)
 
Once again, if it doesn't have to tangle against fighters, it's a perfect bomber-killer machine

Thanks for the great answers and tests! I'll keep the a-model and ramp up the production to about 16 for now, since there aren't that many bomber attacks yet.

P.S. does anyone know, why I keep getting these squadrons before the model arrives? For testing? Not that I mind ..

Units arrive on their historical timeline.

New airframe models arrive based on player input.

Alfred

I love this plane - I find it extremely useful to fill some holes, like nabbing unescorted 4Es and for low-level ground/sea support.

Remember you can always use them to train fighter pilots when they're not busy. Early on I would think that would be their greatest value. Oscars too, but I'd stop that line.

ORIGINAL: geofflambert
Oscars too, but I'd stop that line.

I'm aiming for the Oscar IV via the earlier models.

ORIGINAL: Alfred

Units arrive on their historical timeline.

New airframe models arrive based on player input.

Alfred

But how come I'm getting models that I'm absolutely not producing (Nick a, rufe)? And 1-2 months before their time? I've fot the Helen also before it's time but that one I'm producing..

Since escorts are cannon fodder, the Oscar series is excellent for that role with the range compared to most IJA fighters.

As Alfred mention, units arrive on their historical times.
Notice that depending on the scenario (really depending on the editor) some units will come with a full complement of airframes, some will come "bare to the bones" and will take from the pool.

ORIGINAL: Sieppo

ORIGINAL: Alfred

Units arrive on their historical timeline.

New airframe models arrive based on player input.

Alfred

But how come I'm getting models that I'm absolutely not producing (Nick a, rufe)? And 1-2 months before their time? I've fot the Helen also before it's time but that one I'm producing..

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury


As Alfred mention, units arrive on their historical times.
Notice that depending on the scenario (really depending on the editor) some units will come with a full complement of airframes, some will come "bare to the bones" and will take from the pool.

ORIGINAL: Sieppo

ORIGINAL: Alfred

Units arrive on their historical timeline.

New airframe models arrive based on player input.

Alfred

But how come I'm getting models that I'm absolutely not producing (Nick a, rufe)? And 1-2 months before their time? I've fot the Helen also before it's time but that one I'm producing..

Ok must be a scen2-thing then.. Thanks!

Think of it as if they are using the pre-production prototypes planes.... which is not too far away from the truth, you see Japan starts the war with a Ki-44 Tojo unit of 9 planes, while the plane becomes available only on mid-42. If you do a quick wikipedia search you will find that:

"The pre-production Ki-44 aircraft and two of the prototypes were turned over to the Army for service trials on 15 September 1941. The type commenced operations with one experimental unit, the 47th Chutai (Independent Air Company) ("Kawasemi Buntai", Kingfisher Unit) sent to Saigon, Indochina in December 1941 with nine aircraft under the command of Major Toshio Sakagawa."

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

Think of it as if they are using the pre-production prototypes planes.... which is not too far away from the truth, you see Japan starts the war with a Ki-44 Tojo unit of 9 planes, while the plane becomes available only on mid-42. If you do a quick wikipedia search you will find that:

"The pre-production Ki-44 aircraft and two of the prototypes were turned over to the Army for service trials on 15 September 1941. The type commenced operations with one experimental unit, the 47th Chutai (Independent Air Company) ("Kawasemi Buntai", Kingfisher Unit) sent to Saigon, Indochina in December 1941 with nine aircraft under the command of Major Toshio Sakagawa."

These were my thoughts exactly ! Just no mention of it anywhere, that's why I was a bit confused.

ORIGINAL: Sieppo

ORIGINAL: Alfred

Units arrive on their historical timeline.

New airframe models arrive based on player input.

Alfred

But how come I'm getting models that I'm absolutely not producing (Nick a, rufe)? And 1-2 months before their time? I've fot the Helen also before it's time but that one I'm producing..

All a/c types will be available from the date set by the scenario irrispective of your ability to build them, all research does is bring this date forward. Some air units, again set by the scenario, will arrive with a/c you are not currently building and have not researched.

As an example of what can happen through research
I've just received the CVs Amagi and Unryo early along with the A6M5b and have had to change it out for the A6M5. I'm not researching the A6M5b and it won't be available until 5/44. I'm researching the A6M5c though, which is normally due 6/44, but through heavy research (90 and being increased to 120) I estimate to receive it end of 1943.