Talk:Kawasaki Ki-61/@comment-107.184.201.220-20170326041316/@comment-107.184.201.220-20170406191627

The 37mm Ho-204 cannon would have given the Ki 61-II a stand-off hub mounted motor cannon like the Yak-9T but better. It had a WoF of 3.167K/s vs 3.042K/s for the NS-37 which was a heavier gun. RoF was 400 r/m vs 250 for the NS-37. No other 37mm cannon had 1100-1200m range like these 2. The B-29 would be rendered defenseless. It's defensive firing range was what, 914m? The Ho-204 was available in 1944, so was the Ki 61-II. Had the Ha-140 worked out, or failing that, if Kawasaki simply produced the successful DB 605AS with boost in an underground factory, the B-29 would have been in deep trouble. Of course they would have to resist cutting the weight of this engine. They could use slider bearings like the Italians did in their version, if ball bearings were a problem. To save weigh, cut some of the guns instead. The 37mm was all it really needed.

Can you imagine a Tony interceptor like that?