RS Models 48005 1/48 Manshu Ki-79 A
The Nakajima Hikoki KK factory in Japan discontinued production of the Ki-27 fighter aircraft because it began production of the more modern and powerful Nakajima Ki-43-I. However, there was interest in the production of these simpler aircraft in Manchuria, so the Nakajima factory supplied production jigs for the Ki-27 to Manshu HikÌ_ki SeizÌ_ KK in Charbin. There, production continued and gave another 1,379 aircraft. Manshu proceeded with the further development of this type, and so a training aircraft appears, on which pilots could train and switch to the combat type without having to change the habits they acquired during training. Because the training aircraft required an overpowered engine, a weaker power unit was installed and the cockpit was now open. The installation of a smaller and lighter engine shifted the center of gravity of the aircraft backwards, so it was necessary to extend the front of the fuselage by 200 mm. The volume of the fuel tanks was reduced because the new engine had lower fuel consumption. The aerodynamic bonnets were launched and there was a fixed spur wheel at the end of the fuselage.
In 1942, the Rikugun Koku Hombu adopted this type into the state under the designation: “continuing training aircraft type 2”.
The Manshu factory supplied two versions: the Ki-79a K in a single-seater version, powered by an air-cooled nine-cylinder Hitachi Ha-13a 1 cylinder with a take-off power of 515 horsepower. The two-seater version differed in the installed seats in a row and was designated Ki-79b Otsu. The single-seat Ki-79a was armed with a single machine gun Type 89 caliber 7.7 mm.
