[Coming Soon] Ki-84 hei: The Empire's Last Hope

Historical Note

In early 1942, shortly after introducing the Ki-43 fighter, the Japanese Air Force demanded a more capable replacement. The task of developing the new aircraft was assigned to Nakajima, the original designer of the Ki-43. The company aimed to address the fighter's major shortcomings: weak armament, lack of pilot protection, and a poor climb rate. The first prototype of the new aircraft, designated Ki-84, took flight in April 1943. It featured improved pilot armor and significantly upgraded weaponry. Tests confirmed that the Ki-84 met the military’s performance requirements. Eager to field the new fighter as quickly as possible, the military rushed it into production, even using non-standardized prototypes. Mass production began in April 1944 with the Ki-84 Ko model, followed by a limited run of the Ki-84 Otsu, which featured modified armament. The most powerful variant, the Ki-84 Hei, was later introduced with two 30 mm Ho-155 cannons and two 20 mm Ho-5 cannons.

Despite wartime issues with engine reliability and build quality, the Ki-84, nicknamed "Frank" by the Allies proved to be one of Japan's best fighters. By the end of the war, over 3,500 units across various modifications had been produced and were actively deployed against B-29 bombers and American fighters.

Ki-84 hei (Rank VIII)

SWOT Analysis

• Strengths: Extremely powerful armament, excellent flight performance, and capable bomb load.
• Weaknesses: May be outpaced by the fastest fighters in its rank.
• Opportunities: Highly versatile in air combat tactics and effective in ground assault roles.
• Threats: Top-tier fighters.

In battle

The Ki-84 hei is the most advanced model in the Japanese fighter family, a brilliant blend of exceptional flight performance and powerful weaponry, making it one of the finest fighters of World War II.

The Ki-84 hei is a late-World War II fighter that represents the pinnacle of Japanese aviation design and technology. It stands out as one of the fastest piston-engine aircraft in the game, offering impressive acceleration and solid maneuverability. However, it has a few drawbacks, including a relatively modest climb rate for its rank and reduced controllability at high speeds.

The Ki-84 hei’s greatest strength is its powerful armament. Designed to quickly destroy targets like the B-29 Superfortress, it is equipped with four automatic cannons: two 30 mm cannons mounted in the wings and two 20 mm cannons in the forward fuselage. These weapons are highly effective in aerial combat, especially with high-explosive tracer rounds that can ignite enemy aircraft with a single hit. Armor-piercing shells are also available, making the Ki-84 hei capable of engaging light ground targets. Additionally, it can carry two bombs, available in 50, 100, or 250 kg variants for added ground-attack versatility.

Thanks to its powerful armament and well-balanced performance, the Ki-84 hei is a highly versatile fighter capable of excelling in various roles, from low-altitude dogfights to high-speed boom-and-zoom attacks from above. However, to maximize its effectiveness, it's important to climb to altitude early, ideally out of enemy range. While the Ki-84 hei may be outmatched by more specialized aircraft such as the Messerschmitt in vertical maneuvers or the Spitfire in tight horizontal turns its true strength lies in its adaptability. The ability to shift tactics based on the situation makes the Ki-84 hei a formidable opponent in any combat scenario.

Premium ♠Ki-84 hei♠︎ (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-84 hei (Rank VIII) aircraft will appear in War Thunder Mobile (WTM) in the seasonal update in the Medium and Big Trophies of the Aviation Campaign.