Japanese aircraft were behind in timing to Allied aircraft. (1 Viewer)

[GrauGeist]

And I'm bringing it back to the P-39. Where it should be.

Alright...now you've done it.

Go sit in the lobby and wait - someone will be with you shortly...

 

[Reluctant Poster]

V1 and V2 were powered by a BMW139, which had overheating problems.
It was V5 (there was no V3 or V4) that was powered by the BMW801, that had the annular radiator and cooling intake system that production Fw190s used.

V1 first flew in summer 1939, V5 first flew in spring 1940 - so it didn't take very long.

The early production models still had serious problems with overheating and engine fires. It wasn't until extra cooling slots were added for the A-2 that the problems were addressed.

 

[GregP]

A radial engine P-39 might be something like the Piaggio P.119.

Of course, this one needs a canopy and a cowling ... maybe. Perhaps it flies just fine as is ...

 

[Wild_Bill_Kelso]

A radial engine P-39 might be something like the Piaggio P.119.

View attachment 734732

Of course, this one needs a canopy and a cowling ... maybe. Perhaps it flies just fine as is ...

Probably cools a lot better like that...

 

[SaparotRob]

A radial engine P-39 might be something like the Piaggio P.119.

View attachment 734732

Of course, this one needs a canopy and a cowling ... maybe. Perhaps it flies just fine as is ...

Slap on some Balkenkreuz and it'll be brilliant.

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

... and don't forget the nose armor.

 

[Shortround6]

Needs a cabin heater.

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

Guys, I think we've got a war-winner here.

 

[beers]

Apparently there was no effort to make a big wing Ki-44 or try to stuff a bigger engine in the Ki-43 and lets be honest, 980hp at 6000meters for the engine in the Ki-43 II at the end of 1942 is not that great, about as good as the engine in the F4F but about 200hp less than the engine in the P-40F let alone some of the other western fighters.

Throwing my hat in the ring for this bit. They did actually!

The Ki-44-III prototype involved longer wings (70cm stretch each), along with some changes to elevator and rudder to improve their effectiveness, all with the aim of making it easier to fly. That was one of the big issues with the Ki-44 and likely part of why it didn't stick around much, while anyone could fly a Ki-43.
Ki-44-III Ko and Otsu both swapped the Ha-109 for a 2000hp Ha-45 - most likely a -21 or equivalent - and 4-blade prop; armament upgraded to 4x 20mm Ho-5 on the former and 2x 20mm Ho-5 + 2x 37mm Ho-203 on the latter. A few were made, but by this point the Ki-84 was almost completed and it just made no sense to put the Ki-44-III into production.

Ki-43-IV was briefly considered and mostly involved swapping in the Ha-45 Homare. This didn't go far for obvious reasons.