enrique262: fujisan-ni-noboru-hinode:enrique262:fujisan-ni-noboru-hinode:Five Bf 109 E-7s were
enrique262: fujisan-ni-noboru-hinode: enrique262: fujisan-ni-noboru-hinode: Five Bf 109 E-7s were acquired by the Japanese in 1941, without armament, for evaluation. While in Japan they received the standard Japanese hinomarus and yellow wing leading edges, as well as white numerals on the rudder. A red band outlined in white is around the rear fuselage. They were used in comparison trials by the Japanese Army Air Force with the Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa, Nakajima Ki-44 Shoki and the Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien. As Japanese were interested in the DB 601 engine and license-built it for their Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien fighter, they had little interest in the Bf 109 itself. The Allies, who learned of this transaction via intelligence, were expecting to encounter Japanese Bf 109s in combat, and assigned a code name of “Mike” to the Messerschmitts, in the event one were flown in combat by the Japanese. Any idea of what they saw on the Messer? How she compared to the japanese aircraft? They were apparently unimpressed with it’s performance in low speed/altitude testing scenarios. The Japanese love turn capability. They really evidently just wanted the engine for performance tests. The ki-61 is an excellent fighter, so I’d imagine it worked out. Semi-related, did you know the IJN wanted to keep bi-planes in service on carriers because of the turn capability? The only reason the zero went along is distance and modernization. They REALLY loved turn capability. Jesus Christ! -- source link
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