Tamiya 61092 Mitsubishi Ki-46 III Type 100

Tamiya 61092 Mitsubishi Ki-46 III Type 100
The Mitsubishi Ki-46 was a twin-engine reconnaissance aircraft used by the Imperial Japanese Army in World War II. Its Army Shiki designation was Type 100 Command Reconnaissance Aircraft; the Allied nickname was Dinah.
Model Specifications

• Overall length: 229mm, Overall width: 306mm.
• The form of the Ki-46 III has been accurately reproduced.
• The engine cowlings come as one piece with cowl flaps being molded separately.
• Two types of propeller and spinner are included.
• Comes with reconnaissance cameras and 2 figures.

This aircraft was first used by the Japanese Army in Manchukuo and China, where seven units were equipped with it, and also at times by the Japanese Imperial Navy in certain reconnaissance missions over the northern coasts of Australia and New Guinea.
The Japanese Army used this aircraft for the same type of missions (which were not authorized) over present-day Malaysia during the months before the Pacific War. Later, it was used over Burma, Indochina and Thailand, and in operations over the Indian Ocean.
In 1944-45, during the last days of the war, it was modified as a high-altitude interceptor, with two 20 mm cannons in the nose and one 37 mm (1.46 in) cannon in an upwards-and-forwards position - almost like the Luftwaffe's Schrage Musik night fighter cannon emplacements - for fighting USAAF B-29 Superfortresses over the metropolitan Japanese islands. It lacked stability for sustained shooting of the 37 mm (1.46 in) weapon, had only a thin layer of armour plating, lacked self-sealing fuel tanks, and was slow to climb.
The Ki-46 was also assigned to two whole Sentai (wings/groups), as well as individual Chutaicho (junior operational commanders) in the Imperial Japanese Army Air Service, during the Pacific War. The Allies captured some examples during the conflict for evaluations.