It’s been a long time since I flew the #Ki-61 Tony ,the Kawasaki warbird in #Flightgear.

A Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien “Tony” flying over the clouds.

The Hien could do 500 km/h.

A Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien “Tony” flying over the Paraná river. The Ki-61 was the only liquid cooled engined fighter of the Japanese Air Force, an adequate high altitude performer.

The Ki-61 has nicer diving characteristics compared with other nimble Japanese fighters. Diving on a Airbus 320, from 6.000 meters to 2.800 meters, in the Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien “Tony” cockpit. A flight simulator feat!

Any proper flight simulator should allow for a simulated gunnery pass on a jetliner. #Interception

The reflector gunsight in the Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien “Tony” fighter plane cockpit, while diving on a Airbus 320 commercial jetliner from 6 o’clock high position. A typical gun kill manouver.

While recovering from behind, a high G load is experienced. Gravity could turn into a dangerous blackout during hard manouvers.

After a simulated gunnery pass on a jetliner, performing a loop on a Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien “Tony” fighter. #Flightgear flight simulator.

The Japanese Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien “Tony” armament consisted in fire from automatic weapons. Two 12.7 millimeter heavy machineguns over the engine cowling with 250 rounds, and two wing-mounter light 7,7 millimeter machineguns, with 500 rounds were a typical load in this Type. On some models, those two were replaced by the heavier 12.7mm machineguns with 150 rounds per gun for increased punch, at the cost of some performance.

Escorting an Airbus to Ezeiza Airport with the Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien “Tony”. After some mock gunnery passes, a nice formation flying.

A Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien “Tony” chasing a jetliner over Greater Buenos Aires. The Kawasaki Ha40 allows a nice interception speed for this prop-driven fighter.

Formation flying with an Airbus from the 7 o’clock in the Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien “Tony”. The engine allows for smooth transitions, while the Tony keeps its great agility at this altitude.

The Airbus is on final to Ezeiza, so escorting her is quite easy. A Flightgear Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien “Tony” escorting an Airbus jetliner up to Ezeiza airport.

A Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien “Tony” on the Ezeiza Airport tarmac, with its sliding canopy open.