Osprey Aircraft of the Aces №100. Nicholas Millman. Ki-44 ‘Tojo’ Aces of World War 2

Illustrator: Ronnie Olsthoorn. — Osprey Publishing, 2011. — 96 p.The Ki-44 'Tojo' epitomises JAAF air power in defence of the homeland, but was also used extensively in the skies over China. The introduction of the Ki-44 was noted with concern because of its departure from the performance and tactics previously associated with the JAAF. It was a fast-climbing, heavily armed point-defence interceptor that was used successfully in slashing hit-and-run tactics that caught Allied pilots by surprise. Amongst the numerous aces that flew Ki-44's were Major Akira Watanabe of the 33rd Sentai, Captain Yukiyoshi Wakamatsu, the 'Red Nose Ace' of the 85th Sentai and Warrant Officer Rikio Shibata also of the 85th Sentai, a leading ace with claims for 27 aircraft. This book tells the complete story of all of Japan's 'Tojo' aces.Kingfisher Force China Debut The East Indies and Burma The Philippines The End in China Defence of the Homeland Appendices