correction: I meant 1110-1170m range not m/s. M/V for the Ho-203 was 570-576m/s. Not an estimate. Some say M/V for the Ho-203 was 400m/s estimated. Based on what, I don't know. 710m/s for the Ho-204 was not an estimate.
ron, e-mail, 13.04.2017 07:49
The Ho-204 had a M/V of 710m/s because the smaller shell (same as Ho-203) was used. The heavier shell had a much lower M/V (430m/s or so) than the Ho-203 and that was unsatisfactory. This may explain why some say M/V was 450 m/s (est). Fracillion said firing range for the Ho-203 was 900m. I don't know the range of the Ho-204. I estimate it was 1110-1170m/s based on that 900m range for the older Ho-203 cannon. I estimated it based on the increased cartridge length, and secondly based on the increased M/V. This resulted in that spread. Of course, I could be wrong. If someone has more than an estimate, let me know.
Ronald, e-mail, 04.10.2016 23:14
The new 37mm Ho-204 was installed in 75 Ki 46-IIIs with up to 60 r/g of ammo. That's 9 seconds of ammo. The Ki 102 Randy had it in the nose. 50 were made. How these fared is unknown. -airwar,ru
paul Scott, e-mail, 27.01.2015 22:23
Fine-looking and excellent performance aircraft. something like the equivalent of the Mosquito or the P-38 Lightning and, the JU 88
Ron, e-mail, 21.10.2014 22:26
The Ho-203 heavy 37mm cannon fired 120 rpm with a good range of 900 meters. Of course the sustained recoil is too much for such an oblique angle. It would do just fine on the Dinah's centerline along with the twin Ho-5 20mm cannons if there is room. If not, the twins can do very well obliquely angled 30 degrees in the dorsal position. Make it a single-seater day fighter or add a radar operator for night interception with a flexible 20mm rear cannon. The Ki 46-III Kai could have been a terror against B-29s after October 1944 instead of such a disappointing interceptor and easy meat for US escort fighters.
Ron, e-mail, 06.10.2014 11:22
Once the oblique 37mm was proven unsatisfactory, why didn't it just trade places with the twin 20mm canons in the nose?
This was successful in other twin engine interceptors against the B-29s. Additionally a nose located 37mm cannon would have the least recoil problem. Then a sufficient burst could make a dent. The dual threat of the oblique twin 20mm cannon efficacy is proven. To me it's a no-brainer. The Gekko and Nick interceptors that used twin 20mm oblique cannons would then be eclipsed by the faster, more potent Dinah interceptor. If only...
SS, 11.02.2014 07:41
This plane was called "ShinShiTei" it did not have a fancy nickname like the other fighters. It meant "new commanding surveillance. Though it is called surveillance plane towards the end of the war it was also used for "kamikaze". Sad to see such a beautiful plane be handled in such way.
Phelan Wolf, 19.09.2012 21:23
That is one seriously sleek airplane...it's almost mesmerizing
Joe Ihnat, e-mail, 17.11.2011 04:25
The Mitsubishi J2M3 was called the Raiden, translated 'Thunderbolt', the Kawanishi N1K1-J was called the Shiden, translated 'Violet Lightning'and the Aichi B7A was called the Ryusei, translated 'Shooting Star'. But what was the Mitsubishi Ki-46 called? I'm not referring to its Allied identification codename,'Dinah', either.
jamie burgoyne, e-mail, 24.05.2011 21:15
The last surviving 'dinah' is displayed at raf cosford, with the only complete ME410
Ronald, e-mail, 21.06.2009 04:57
I read someplace that the Luftwaffe was interested in this plane. Imagine if something had come of that!
leo rudnicki, e-mail, 28.04.2009 02:04
Like the Italian SVA-5 of WW1, Dinah could elude interception in the recon role but failed all attempts to achieve a combat role, such as done by by the Mosquito. As such, it could only provide the news that Japan was losing the war. Sure was a looker, tho.
Aero-Fox, 17.03.2008 22:00
It is a beautiful aircraft...if there's one thing Japan knew, it was how to design a striking airframe (at least as much so as the Germans). If tests of the turbo-equipped engine had been completed, the allies could have had problems...
ken nizam, e-mail, 17.11.2006 16:03
This warbirds were extensively used over Malaya, the current Malaysia. It holds a significant degree in defining the todays Malaysia. It would be invaluable if any parts of the original 2 seaters Dinah can be obtained and displayed in the country. Any party with such information of such parts of Dinah is highly sought after by us, really. Regards
