Mitsubishi Ki – 46 – III ‘Dinah’

The ‘Dinah’ was a most significant reconnaissance platform, being comparable to some of the better Allied machines such as P.R. versions of the DH98 Mosquito or Lockheed F4/F5 Lightning . The first prototype aircraft flew in November 1939 . The newer Ki-46-I reconnaissance version was introduced in July of 1941 , 34 examples of this type were completed before manufacture switched to definitive Ki-46-II . Although at first the Ki-46 proved almost immune from interception , it had become obvious to the Japanese High Command that the next generation of Allied fighters, including the F4U Corsair and the Spitfire IX would pose a threat to the Ki-46-II, due to their 400 mile per hour speed and climb performance. In July 1942 ,the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force instructed Mitsubishi to produce a further improved version, the Ki-46-III . This had more powerful, fuel-injected Mitsubishi Ha-112 engines, and a redesigned nose, with a fuel tank ahead of the pilot and a new canopy . The performance of the Ki-46-III, proved superior to that of the aircraft intended to replace it (the Tachikawa Ki-70), which as a result did not enter production .

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