Mitsubishi Ki-46 Dinah

Mitsubishi Ki-46 "Dinah"

Museum Photos and Descriptions by Darren Mottram
Model by Chris Wauchop
Model Images and Introduction by Brett Green

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Ki-46-II Army Type 100
Command Reconnaissance Aircraft
Note the clear, rounded perspex nose common to the reconnaissance versions

Includes a brief description, 23 thumbnailed images of the Cosford museum Dinah; plus 8 images of Chris Wauchop's 1/48 Tamiya Ki-46-III KAI

Copyright (c) 1998, Darren Mottram and Brett Green. All rights reserved. All museum images by Darren Mottram and model images by Brett Green unless otherwise stated. Material appearing within this document may not be copied, stored or reproduced in any device or publication, in whole or in part, for the purpose of profit without the express written consent of the author.

Contents

    Background
    Chris Wauchop's Dinah Fighter in 1/48 Scale
    More Model Images
    Ki-46-II "Dinah" - The Photo Essay (23 Images)

B a c k g r o u n d

Mitsubishi's Ki-46 series was code-named "Dinah" by the Allies.

The prototype of this sleek, multi-purpose Japanese aircraft flew in November 1939. It was originally specified as a 600kph replacement for the Ki-15, and although the prototype did not quite meet this performance requirement it was still faster than any contemporary Japanese aircraft.

The original production version was the Ki-46-I Army Type 100 Command Reconnaissance Aircraft. This first version was quickly replaced by the Ki-46-II with the more powerful Ha-102 engine. These engines were equipped with a two-stage supercharger. The additional power finally allowed this version to exceed 600kph.

The streamlined perspex nose can identifies the Reconnaissance versions. Over 1,000 of the Ki-46-II were produced.

The ultimate Dinah, the Ki-46-III, was powered by the Ha-112-II.

The Ki-46-III fighter can be distinguished by its stepped nose and larger
engine nacelles. Also note the oblique 37mm Ho-204 (Army Type 4) Browning cannon
in the top of the fuselage, similar to "Schrage Musik" weapons in German night fighters.

The muzzle attachment is an ice-cream-cone- shape. It has six radial perforations
around the widest circumference.

Four forward-firing 20mm Ho-5 cannon added further firepower.

(thanks to Ted Bradstreet for additional information)

The fighter version was a development of the Ki-46-III Reconnaisance Aircraft. Investigations commenced in June 1943 and the "step nosed" fighter entered service by November 1944. Sluggish climbing characteristics meant that this speedster was not as effective in the fighter role as hoped, but production continued. Over 600 Ki-46-IIIs were eventually produced.

C h r i s W a u c h o p ' s K i - 4 6 - I I I K A I " D i n a h " i n 1 / 4 8

Tamiya produce both the Reconnaissance version of the Dinah (Ki-46-II) and the fighter (Ki-46-III KAI) in 1/48 scale. The kits do justice to the graceful lines of these aircraft, while the detail and ease of construction are exactly what one would expect from Tamiya in the 1990s - close to perfect!

Chris built his Dinah fighter almost out of the box. It is painted with Tamiya acrylics. Another superb job.

M o r e M o d e l I m a g e s

Click on the thumbnails below to view the full-sized image. Click on your browser's "Back" arrow to return to this page.

M i t s u b i s h i K i - 4 6 - I I " D i n a h " - T h e P h o t o E s s a y

The Cosford Aviation Museum in England has restored a Ki-46-II. Museum staff have carefully reproduced the structure and appearance of the aircraft, using paint samples to match the new colours wherever possible. The result is stunning.

23 photographs are categorised, captioned and thumbnailed below. To view an image at its full size, click on the thumbnail. To return to this page, click the "back" arrow on your browser.

Interior and Cockpits

Observers cockpit looking directly aft.

Observer's cockpit left side.

Observers cockpit looking fwd and right. Note rack for (missing) oxygen bottles.

Observers cockpit, looking forward and left (inside fuselage.)

Observers cockpit, right hand side

Front instrument panel.
Note some instruments still missing with labeled blanks in their place.

Left side of cockpit. (Hoof prints on seat belong to your's truly)

Right side of cockpit

A view of the rear wall of the front cockpit,
also showing the fuel tank behind the pilot

A closeup of the fwd fuel tank and
it's fill point through the open hatch

The nose area from the left showing the raised access hatch to the fwd fuel tank.
It basically looks like a big black rubber bag (which it virtually is). I was astonished to find
that the pilot sat between a big fuel tank in the nose and another one immediately behind his seat!
VERY comforting!

Looking up under the nose into the cockpit floor area.

Undercarriage

Left wheel well interior looking fwd.

Right main gear leg.

Right flap and nacelle. Notice the large gap between the wheel well portion of the nacelle
and the flap-mounted portion.Also note that when the flaps are up that there is a horizontal
cut-out in the trailing edge of the nacelle fairing that was about 2-3cm thick such that where the
fairing extends rear of the wing thereis a horizontal gap in it.

Powerplant

2 x 1,050 h.p. Army Type 1 (Mitsubishi Ha-102) air-cooled radial engines

Head-on. Very narrow fuselage and big engines!

General Exterior

Left flap opened to reveal detail. Note the strange blue coating.

Boarding steps\hand-holds which flip out from within the fuselage,
at the trailing edge of the wing.(only on left side)

A view of the Dinah and Ki-100 at Cosford taken from the cockpit of the Lincon.

Descriptive Text and Museum Photographs Copyright � 1998 by Darren Mottram
Model by Chris Wauchop
Model Images and Introduction Text Copyright � 1998 by Brett Green
HTML Troublehooting by Chris Beaumont
Page created on Sunday, November 8, 1998
This page last updated on Thursday, May 09, 2002

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