Mitsubishi Ki-46 "Dinah"
Mitsubishi · Japan · first flew 1939 · fighter
The Mitsubishi Ki-46 (Allied reporting name 'Dinah') was a Japanese Army twin-engine high-speed reconnaissance aircraft renowned for its outstanding aerodynamic refinement and speed. Late-war variants were converted to interceptors to combat high-flying B-29 raids.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Large teardrop canopy blending smoothly into the fuselage spine |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Exceptionally streamlined twin-engine aircraft with near-flush engine nacelles
- Large teardrop canopy blending smoothly into the fuselage spine
- Very slim fuselage with tapered nose
The extremely clean aerodynamic design with a slim fuselage, near-flush engine nacelles, and a large seamlessly blended canopy make the Ki-46 instantly recognisable; no other Japanese aircraft of the era approached its level of aerodynamic refinement.
Specifications
- The Mitsubishi Ki-46 has a length of 11 m (36 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 14.7 m (48 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 604 km/h (375 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flying in November 1939, the Ki-46 was virtually untouchable by Allied fighters when it entered service in 1941 due to its high speed. As Allied aircraft improved, the Ki-46-III introduced more powerful engines and remained competitive; the Ki-46-IIIKai interceptor added a 37 mm oblique-firing cannon for attacking bomber formations.
Variants
The Ki-46-I through III series progressively improved speed with larger engines; the Ki-46-III Kai interceptor and Ki-46-IIIb with nose armament were late-war adaptations.
Where you'll see it
Served with the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force across all theatres from China to the Pacific; one of the few Japanese types that remained operationally useful throughout the war.
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