[Coming Soon] Ki-94-II: An atypical Japanese aircraft

Historical Note

The Ki-94-II project, developed as an alternative to the Ki-87 interceptor, was intended to be a specialized high-altitude fighter to combat American B-29 bombers. After the original but overly complex tandem layout of the Ki-94-I was abandoned, Tachikawa designers created an aircraft with a more traditional monoplane configuration with a turbocharged engine and a six-bladed propeller. The aircraft was designed with a pressurized cockpit and powerful armament consisting of two 30 mm Ho-155 cannons and two 20 mm Ho-5 cannons. This allowed it to effectively engage heavy bombers.

However, chronic delays caused by Allied bombing and a lack of resources meant that by July 1945, only one unfinished prototype with a four-bladed propeller was completed. This model was captured by American troops and sent to the United States for study.

Ki-94-II (Rank VIII)

SWOT Analysis

• Strengths: excellent forward-firing weapons, good speed, bombs.
• Weaknesses: poor effectiveness at low altitudes, mediocre maneuverability.
• Opportunities: high-altitude dogfighting, boom-zoom.
• Threats: maneuverable fighters.

In battle

At its heart, the new Japanese high-altitude interceptor Ki-94-II resembles the heavy fighters of Western countries. It lacks the trademark Japanese maneuverability, but boasts excellent forward-firing weapons and remarkable speed at high altitudes.

The Ki-94-II was designed to intercept Superfortresses at high altitudes. This is where the aircraft's strengths and weaknesses come from. Its engine, which performs poorly at low altitudes, reveals its true potential as soon as the Ki-94-II climbs higher. Here, the Ki-94-II achieves excellent speed, sufficient not only for intercepting strategic bombers, but also for energetic dogfights with other high-altitude fighters. It should be noted that the Japanese aircraft's rate of climb is not the best. Therefore, the beginning of the battle should be devoted to patiently gaining altitude.

Powerful armament is another advantage of a good interceptor. The Ki-94-II is equipped with two 30 mm and two 20 mm cannons with a decent ammunition load, including the famous incendiary rounds.They are very effective at destroying any aircraft, from other fighters to the heaviest bombers. In addition to high-altitude combat, this armament provides excellent opportunities for head-on attack and “boom-and-zoom” tactics, where a single well-aimed salvo in a dive will destroy the enemy, and even the fighter’s less-than-stellar maneuverability ceases to be a critical disadvantage.

Although low-altitude operations are clearly not the most advantageous scenario for the Ki-94-II, in some cases the aircraft can be used effectively for assault missions. Against light ground targets, the pilot can use the impressive forward-firing weapons, and to destroy fortifications, a pair of bombs can be suspended under the wings – either light 50 kg or heavy 250 kg.

Premium ♠Ki-94-II♠︎ (Rank VIII)

The Premium variant is an extra plane for your roster! The premium aircraft maintains the same performance as the standard variant, though it comes in a unique camouflage. With the premium aircraft, you’ll be able to enjoy faster Silver Lion and Research Point gains, and earn some Golden Eagles in your battles.

If you’re lucky enough to unlock both the premium and the standard variants, you will be able to use them both in the same battle!

*Vehicle specifications and camouflages are still a work in progress and may differ on release.

The Ki-94-II (Rank VIII) aircraft will appear in War Thunder Mobile (WTM) in the seasonal update in the Medium and Big Trophies of the Aviation Campaign.