Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien "Tony"
It was a bit of a surprise to me, but the Ki 61 won the poll and thus jumps to the front of the line. I'm hoping to have this video up this coming weekend. As you can imagine, specifics for this plane are scarce, but I do have enough to go on. I have good test data for the plane and the complete engine manual. With the engine manual, which is in Japanese and in a font no translator recognizes, plus general knowledge, I can piece it together pretty well. I think you folks will like it.
Get ready for 990mm of mercury of thundering Japanese Manifold pressure. That's 1.3ATA for you German types, or about 39 inches for the rest of us. That is to say, not a lot.
Greg
Comments (14)
Ki-61 video was awesome. If you want a Japanese pilots perspective on fighting over New Guinea, get the book “samurai” by Saburo Sakai. It’s a great story and easy read.
The Ki-61 is such a handsome aircraft.
Honestly, I'm glad. I've only heard of the Ki-61 in passing and it would be nice to get a good breakdown of it. Looks cool.
The SeaFury is still coming.
Looking forwarrd to that one! (As Well )
I'm still very keen for you to finish the SuperProps off Greg, but this one was too good to pass up. =) Cheers KiwiHame
Ohh well, Greg can do a great video on the Sea Fury later, and we will enjoy the Kawasaki Ki-61 now.
Gavin, manifold pressure is usually in pressure absolute, so that's how I referenced it in my post above. That said, the British and Japanese referenced it in terms of boost above atmospheric pressure. I'll explain in the video.
I assume that the listed boost pressure is relative, not absolute? But then is it relative to ambient, or to a standard atmosphere?
I voted Tony as I'm yet to encounter much of anything "meaty" on the Japanese aircraft and very much look forward to your presentation
Great! I imagine the sleeve valve saga on the Sea Fury is going to be pretty dense - unless you do a dedicated video on sleeve valve engines in general, but I imagine it can really suck one in - can't really discuss the Sea Fury without getting into the magnificent Centaurus and the whole Bristol sleeve valve saga - and that is coming from a person who so venerates the R-2800 that a late production 2800 master rod is one of my more prized possessions! Both alternatives here were worthy and interesting subjects and I look forward to the Sea Fury episode as well. Truly appreciate your work, Greg!
Us German types approve! ;-)
Greg, I must say that I was not surprised at all that it would be the Ki-61. As much as we all love to see more on aircraft such as the Sea Fury, you have satisfied our appetites by your ability to conjure information on subjects heretofore not covered with any depth or clarity.
My heart said 'Seafury' (I drool over the Centaurus) but I (we?) hardly get any info on Japanese airplanes beyond legend/ hype, so ..... Can't wait!