So, this question is longing in my head, are Ki-61 can equipped with DB601? Considering that Ha-40 basically is a licence build DB601
Hello LordRain,
The answer is No.
The Germans had two different versions of the DB 601A engine.
The regular German standard as normally found in the Me 109E was the DB 601A-1.
There was also a version originally intended for export which was the DB 601Aa.
The A-1 had a more powerful supercharger and a little less power down low but had a higher critical altitude.
The Aa had a bit less critical altitude. It also had a higher power 1 minute take-off rating.
As the war dragged on, there were quite a few Me 109E equipped with the Aa engine which might be why some of the performance specifications for the 109E are not always in agreement. The Aa engine also ended up installed in other non-export German aircraft
Only the Aa was ever licensed to the Italians and Japanese. The Italians made some minor improvements on some versions.
The Japanese made some more significant changes (Kawasaki Ha 40) and arrived at an engine with very close to the same altitude capability as the DB 601A-1. From a performance standpoint, the Ha 40 was somewhere between a DB 601Aa and a DB 601A-1. Aichi also built a copy under license but I do not believe they did quite the same amount of work.
DB 601A-1 Critical Altitude 4500 Meters
DB 601Aa Critical Altitude 3700 Meters
Ha 40 Critical Altitude 4200 Meters
That is the long answer as I understand it.
- Ivan.