3 x Ki-61 To Flight Status – Progress?

Thanks for Avspecs/TVAL/PAP correction. I think I had a bit of a funny turn post KA114 first flight and airshow appearance. Interesting posts, thanks.

Thanks for Avspecs/TVAL/PAP correction. I think I had a bit of a funny turn post KA114 first flight and airshow appearance. Interesting posts, thanks.

I visited Fantasy of Flight early september and was shown around the storage area by “Speedy”, at least that was his nickname:cool:

Saw the Ki61 wing up close and the condition was remarkable. The Japanese stencilling was clearly visible on the wing bomb racks and all piping etc looked to be complete. A real time capsule. Saw some nice goodies in there.

Cees

I visited Fantasy of Flight early september and was shown around the storage area by “Speedy”, at least that was his nickname:cool:

Saw the Ki61 wing up close and the condition was remarkable. The Japanese stencilling was clearly visible on the wing bomb racks and all piping etc looked to be complete. A real time capsule. Saw some nice goodies in there.

Cees

Mike, see my post #5 above.

Mike, see my post #5 above.

Mike J & MK959, thanks very much for taking the trouble to post. As Avspecs were able to reverse engineer the RAF4A engine for the RE8, it’ll be interesting to see if the Ha-40s can be reproduced.

Isn’t it Vintage Aviator who do the reverse engineering of the WWI engines?

Mike J & MK959, thanks very much for taking the trouble to post. As Avspecs were able to reverse engineer the RAF4A engine for the RE8, it’ll be interesting to see if the Ha-40s can be reproduced.

Isn’t it Vintage Aviator who do the reverse engineering of the WWI engines?

DB601 not DB605 – that would be the Ha140. I think it unlikely that significant reverse engineering would be needed, the problems are more of finding spare (and spares for) the DB engine. As DB are still in existence, there may be IPR problems with setting up the necessary tooling for such work. They are likely to be sensitive about their reputation.

Perhaps those with information on the current flying DB-engined 109s will know more?

DB601 not DB605 – that would be the Ha140. I think it unlikely that significant reverse engineering would be needed, the problems are more of finding spare (and spares for) the DB engine. As DB are still in existence, there may be IPR problems with setting up the necessary tooling for such work. They are likely to be sensitive about their reputation.

Perhaps those with information on the current flying DB-engined 109s will know more?

Mike J & MK959, thanks very much for taking the trouble to post. As Avspecs were able to reverse engineer the RAF4A engine for the RE8, it’ll be interesting to see if the Ha-40s can be reproduced.

Avspecs is not involved here. RAF4a engine for the Re8 has been scratch-build by TVAL in New-Zealand – Ki-61 projects are located with PAP in Australia.

Mike J & MK959, thanks very much for taking the trouble to post. As Avspecs were able to reverse engineer the RAF4A engine for the RE8, it’ll be interesting to see if the Ha-40s can be reproduced.

Avspecs is not involved here. RAF4a engine for the Re8 has been scratch-build by TVAL in New-Zealand – Ki-61 projects are located with PAP in Australia.

Mike J & MK959, thanks very much for taking the trouble to post. As Avspecs were able to reverse engineer the RAF4A engine for the RE8, it’ll be interesting to see if the Ha-40s can be reproduced.

Mike J & MK959, thanks very much for taking the trouble to post. As Avspecs were able to reverse engineer the RAF4A engine for the RE8, it’ll be interesting to see if the Ha-40s can be reproduced.

From Kermit Weeks Facebook page – 17th May 2012:

This is my Kawasaki Hein (Ki-61) Project. I actually sent it down as a favor to Jerry Yeagan, who is having one built up as mine was used as a fairly complete pattern.

Once they get Jerry’s done, I might be in a position for them to start on mine. The wing is still at Fantasy of Flight.

And also about Jerry Yagen’s Ki-61:

This is Jerry Yeagan’s Tony! It’s a great looking airplane and the only WWII Japanese fighter that did not use a radial engine. Instead, it uses a twelve-cylinder copy of the German DB-605 that was used in the Messerschmitt 109.

From Kermit Weeks Facebook page – 17th May 2012:

This is my Kawasaki Hein (Ki-61) Project. I actually sent it down as a favor to Jerry Yeagan, who is having one built up as mine was used as a fairly complete pattern.

Once they get Jerry’s done, I might be in a position for them to start on mine. The wing is still at Fantasy of Flight.

And also about Jerry Yagen’s Ki-61:

This is Jerry Yeagan’s Tony! It’s a great looking airplane and the only WWII Japanese fighter that did not use a radial engine. Instead, it uses a twelve-cylinder copy of the German DB-605 that was used in the Messerschmitt 109.

The wings of Kermit Weeks’ example were still stored, unrestored, at Fantasy of Flight as of my visit there last week

The wings of Kermit Weeks’ example were still stored, unrestored, at Fantasy of Flight as of my visit there last week