                The Kawasaki Hi-61 Hien (TONY)

The Ki-61 was the only liquid-cooled engine fighter put into
service during the war by the Japanese.  In April 1940,
Kawasaki obtained licensing rights to the Daimler-Benz DB601A
engine, and the designers, Takeo Doi and Shin Owada, began
work immediately.  The use of the engine, as well as other
similarities, caused many Allied pilots to mistake the TONY
for an Bf109.  Between 1942 and 1945 over 3,000 of the Ki-61
were built.  The Ki-61 was a better dogfighter than any
Allied plane in 1943 except the P-38.  It had good diving and
roll characteristics, and was the first Japanese aircraft
with self-sealing fuel tanks and armor for the pilot and
engine.  The Ki-61 had two 12.7mm machineguns in the upper
cowling, and one in each wing.  It was also capable of
carrying a 551 pound bomb.
SPECS:  Top speed 386 mph at 16,000 feet, ceiling 37,730
feet, range 373 miles (with drop tanks 684), climb rate 2,500
feet/min.
 
