File:Kawasaki Ki-61-II Kai -5017- (48128574608).jpg

c/n 5017 Officially designated as the Army Type 3 Fighter, the Ki-61 was the only mass-produced Japanese WW2 fighter to use an inline engine. Named Hein (flying swallow) the type was given the Allied reporting name ‘Tony’, possibly because it was initially mistaken for an Italian MC202. Despite a production of over 3,000, this is currently the only complete example on display worldwide. Along with sister aircraft 5010, this example was originally flown by the Army Air Technical Evaluation Department as part of the Ki-61-II evaluation program at Fussa Air Base (now Yokota AB). After the war it was put on display by American forces as a trophy. She was returned to the Japanese people in 1953 as a goodwill gesture and was moved to Hibiya Park in Tokyo, although the move was not a careful one and some damage was sustained. In 1962 a complete Mitsubishi A6M5-52 (c/n 4685) was found in Guam. It was shipped back to Japan for restoration in early 1964 and this gave cause for the Ki-61 to also be restored. After restoration, both aircraft took part in a public display at Iruma AB held in November 1964. The A6M5 went to Hamamastu (where it is now on display as part of the JASDF museum) while the Ki-61 moved to Gifu and ended up in store. In 1987, by now painted in the colours of the 244th Hikoh Sentai, she went on display at the Chiran Special Attack Peace Assembly Hall, otherwise known as the Kamikaze Museum. During 2014/2015 she was delivered to Kawasaki Heavy Industries at Kobe and was restored to a much higher standard. She is now on display fully restored but unpainted, to dramatic effect. Kakamigahara Aerospace Science Museum Kakamigahara City, Gifu Prefecture, Japan 15th March 2019

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