[Coming Soon] Ki-87: The Steel Eagle

The Big and Medium Trophies in the Aviation Campaign contain a Japanese fighter, the Ki-87.

Historical Note

The Ki-87 was developed from 1942 as a specialized high-altitude fighter-interceptor for the Japanese Army Air Force. It was designed to counter American B-29 Superfortress bombers at high altitudes. The first prototype only first took to the skies in early 1945. Tests revealed problems with the turbocharger, as well as insufficient flight stability.

Before its surrender, Japan managed to build only one flying prototype and two unfinished models. Mass production never began due to difficulties with refining the engine and the destruction of Japan's industry at the end of the war.

Ki-87 (Rank VIII)

SWOT Analysis

Strengths: powerful forward-firing weapons, high speed, bombs.
Weaknesses: mediocre maneuverability, hardly suited for low altitudes.
Opportunities: king of the heights – intercepting bombers and gaining air superiority.
Threats: maneuverable fighters.

In battle

The Ki-87 is one of the most advanced piston-engine fighters from Japan. This swift high-altitude interceptor was designed to protect mainland Japan from raids from American B-29 Superfortresses bombers. Excellent speed characteristics and impressively powerful armament are the main advantages of the Ki-87. However, the aircraft requires competent and careful use to reveal its full potential.

Engineers equipped the Ki-87 with a set of optimal weapons for effective bomber hunting. Two 30 mm and two 20 mm cannons were placed in the wings. The ammunition selection also included HEF-I shells, which often cause fires when they hit enemy aircraft. However, high-altitude operations are not the only way to use the Ki-87! If necessary, pilots can take 50 and 250 kg bombs into battle to attack small fortifications and ground vehicles.

Designed for high-altitude interceptions, the Ki-87 reveals its speed potential at high altitudes. Its huge 18-cylinder engine provides decent climb performance and accelerates the fighter to speeds exceeding 700 km/h. At the same time, the Ki-87 feels a bit difficult to use at low and even medium altitudes. The Ki-87's maneuverability can be described as mediocre – it is sufficient for pursuing bombers, but almost any high-ranking fighter can outmaneuver the Japanese aircraft in horizontal maneuvers.

The combat style of the Ki-87 follows from its strengths and weaknesses: if the enemy is a fighter, attack it in a dive and then climb back up; if it is a bomber, catch up with it, dodge the turret fire, and shoot it down with short, accurate bursts. In both cases, the main thing for the Ki-87 is to get up high!

Premium ♠Ki-87♠︎ (Rank VIII)

The Premium variant is an extra plane for your roster! The premium warplane maintains the same performance as the standard variant, though it comes in a unique camouflage. With this premium warplane 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!

Premium version of the vehicle:

As a jackpot or as a random reward when attempting to open the Big Trophy.
By reaching the top-10 in the relevant Leaderboard.
From the Collector's Trophy after adding the vehicle to this trophy type;
In Special Offers.

Standard version of the vehicle:

As a jackpot or as a random reward when attempting to open the Medium Trophy.
Order vehicles for Silver Lions after collecting 1,000 blueprints.

Ways to get blueprints:

In Medium Trophy: 700 pcs in the guaranteed reward, or 10 to 100 pcs per attempt.
In Big Trophy: 700 pcs in the guaranteed reward, or 80 to 200 pcs per attempt.
In the in-game store: purchase for Silver Lions a Folder with a number of blueprints (even after the season ends).
In special offers.