Zero - specific questions

I've also seen Type LO, referring to the Japan-built Lockheed Electra.
That was so usual, in fact, that I don't know its kitai number.

Again, what is `Type'?

I see that it is officially known as Kawasaki Ki-56.

Ogawa refers to it as the "Army/Civil Lockheed 14GW3 Super Electra
Transport Plane."

Now, there's a mouthful for the pilot coming in on one engine and a
prayer: "Army/Civil Lockheed 14GW3 Super Electra Transport Plane
declaring an emergency."

The "Type LO" designation appears in the semi-official history of the
air war in Burma, 1941-42.

Incidentally, Ogawa's description of the Douglas DC2/3 is the Navy
Type Zero Transport Plane -- or L2D2 / L2D3. So there's a Japanese
source that uses the Navy short designations as well as the army kitai
numbers.

****************

To revert to the Ki-44 Shoki, I see that it is indeed the Army Type 2
Fighter, so it was officially adopted in 1942 even though it was in
service the previous year.

The improved model is known as the Army Type 2-2 Otsu Fighter, or the
Ki-44-II Otsu.

Ogawa's enclopedia is neat (for a monolingual Yankee) because every
heading is also Englished.


all the best -- Dan Ford
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