Kawasaki Ki-61 'Hien' restored to display condition in Japan

[Grey Havoc]

http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201610140080.html

http://www.tank-net.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=42086

 

[helmutkohl]

旧日本陸軍の三式戦闘機「飛燕」エンジンか、東近江で発見…数少ない「液冷式」

【読売新聞】　滋賀県東近江市五個荘竜田町の工事現場で、旧日本陸軍の三式戦闘機「 飛燕 （ ひえん ） 」のものとみられるエンジンが見つかった。市民グループ「東近江市戦争遺跡の会」と市が詳しい調査を行う方針で、２５日、エンジンが市内の

www.yomiuri.co.jp

TLDR: Construction workers found an old Ha40 engine, which was used to power the Ki-61

 

[Foo Fighter]

Gifu-Kakamigahara Air and Space Museum | J-HangarSpace: Information on Japanese Aviation

The Gifu-Kakamigahara Air and Space Museum.

www.j-hangarspace.jp

Former Japanese Army Type 3 fighter 'Hien' engine or found in Higashiomi... one of the few 'liquid-cooled' engines.
26/02/2023 10:22

　An engine believed to belong to the former Japanese Army Type 3 fighter aircraft 'Hien' was found at a construction site in Gokasho Tatsuta-cho, Higashiomi City, Shiga Prefecture. The citizens' group Higashiomi City War Remains Association and the city government intend to carry out a detailed investigation, and the engine was moved to another location in the city on 25 September. (Soichiro Nakamura)
Engine believed to belong to Hien (in Higashiomi City, Shiga Prefecture).

　The Hien was developed by Kawasaki Aircraft Industries (now Kawasaki Heavy Industries) and about 3,000 aircraft were built between 1941 and 1945. While most aircraft of the former Japanese Army were equipped with 'air-cooled' engines, the Hien was one of the few aircraft to use 'liquid-cooled' engines.


An engine dug up in Higashiomi City, with a depth of about 150 cm from the front and a height and width of about 80 cm each, was discovered by construction workers buried 30-40 cm underground around late January, and a local resident contacted the city.

　A member of the city's War Remains Association confirmed the original and pointed out that it might be a Fei-Yen engine. The Gifu-Kamigahara Air and Space Museum (Kakamigahara City, Gifu Prefecture), which displays the restored Hien aircraft, and the Japan Aviation Society (Tokyo) analysed the photographs.

　As a result, the distinctive box shape, the metalworked company emblem of Sumitomo Metal Industries, the hexagonal cap sealing the hole, and the uniquely shaped fittings connecting the fuselage and engine matched the characteristics of the Hien. Approximately 7 km southeast of the discovery site, there used to be the former Army Yokaichi Airfield, where the Hien was deployed.

Shiga Karita, 57, director of the association's Cultural Information Office, said, "There are very few Hien engines in existence, so this is a valuable discovery" and added, "The engine remains in relatively good condition, so it is difficult to believe that it crashed or made an emergency landing. It is a mystery why it was here, but it must have been taken out for some reason during the chaotic post-war period".

　The engine will be kept for the time being by the City War Remains Association. Kyoshi Yamamoto, 54, chairman of the association, said: 'The discovery of the actual engine makes us realise more strongly the history of the military airfield that once existed in this area. In the future, we would like to make it possible for many people, including citizens, to see it".

Gifu-Kakamigahara Air and Space Museum | J-HangarSpace: Information on Japanese Aviation

The Gifu-Kakamigahara Air and Space Museum.

www.j-hangarspace.jp

 

[blackkite]

Hi!

生誕の地で羽を休める、悲運の戦闘機「三式戦闘機・飛燕」 | カワサキ特派員 | カワサキイチバン

バイクのみならず、鉄道や船舶といった重工業製品も生産するカワサキ。同社の歴史を語るうえで欠かせないのが航空機産業だ。岐阜県各務原市には、カワサキ製の戦闘機「飛燕」を展示する博物館がある。 カワサキの手によって再生された“ツバメ”

www.kawasaki1ban.com

 

[blackkite]

Hi!

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQkF9DgJM20