JohnnyS

Good guess, but no. The Ju88 was never classified as a heavy bomber.

JohnnyS

1. It was a fighter developed from a heavy bomber.
2. The "Day Fighter" version had an unusual armament.
3. The "Day Fighter" version armament was a 75mm gun.
4. Twin engines.
5. It had self-sealing fuel tanks and armor.

Redback

Mitchell B25-G?

Terry

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

That's where I wound up; but the Mitchell was never classified as a heavy bomber. And I seem to remember an earlier aircraft that.... Thanks; Ernie P.

JohnnyS

Not the B-25G, no.

1. It was a fighter developed from a heavy bomber.
2. The "Day Fighter" version had an unusual armament.
3. The "Day Fighter" version armament was a 75mm gun.
4. Twin engines.
5. It had self-sealing fuel tanks and armor.
6. There were 2 prototypes produced, and 22 production aircraft.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Okay, then. How about the Ki-109 Day Fighter (2 built) and Army Interceptor/Heavy Fighter (22 built) versions of the Ki-67 heavy bomber? Thanks; Ernie P.


The Mitsubishi Ki-67 Hiryū (飛龍, "Flying Dragon"; Allied reporting name "Peggy") was a twin-engine heavy bomber produced by Mitsubishi and used by the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force in World War II. Its Army long designation was "Army Type 4 Heavy Bomber" (四式重爆撃機).

Variants


Ki-67 "To-Gō" To-203 of the Fugaku Unit.
(Clark Field, Philippines, 1944.)


Ki-109.

Ki-67-I: Prototypes. Diverse models with various types of weapons. 19 produced.

Ki-67-Ia "Hiryu" Army Type 4 Heavy Bomber Model 1: Main production model. The majority (420+) were modified in the factory as land-based torpedo bombers (after work-number 160). Produced by Mitsubishi: 587; by Kawasaki: 91; by bu 1° Army Arsenal of Tachikawa: 1.

Ki-67-Ib: Late production model. Reinforced the tail gun turret (2 Χ 20 mm).

Ki-67-I KAI: Experimental model equipped with Mitsubishi Ha-104 Ru engines. 3 produced.

Ki-67-I AEW variant: Equipment the early warning radar "Taki 1 Model II". 1 produced.

Ki-67 "To-Gō": Army special attack aircraft type 4: Improved version of the Ki-67 I for kamikaze, unarmed, without turrets, and with two 800 kg (1,760 lb) bombs in belly compartment.

Ki-67 "guided missile mother ship": Experimental type for carrying guided missiles.(Kawasaki Ki-147 I-Go Type 1-Ko,Mitsubishi Ki-148 I-Go Type 1-Otsu, I-Go Type 1-Hei, "Ke-Go" IR, "Ko-Go","Sa-Go") 1 produced.

Ki-67 long-range bomber variant: Equipped with widened wings and without turrets. Only a project.

Ki-67 ground attack variant: Version armed with three remote-control ground-firing 5 Χ 30° 20 mm cannons, 20 mm defensive cannon in the tail position, three 13.2 mm (.51 in) machine guns in lateral and upper positions, and more fuel capacity for long range. Specifically designed for land strikes against B-29 bases in the Marianas. Only a project.

Ki-67-II: Prototypes. Modified version of the Ki-67-I, with two Mitsubishi Ha-214 engines of 1,603 kW (2,150 hp) each. 2 produced.

Ki-67 glider tug: A standard Ki67-I was used to tow the "Manazuru" (Crane) transport glider in tests.
"Yasukuni": Naval torpedo bomber version of the Ki-67-I. Created from Ki-67-Is transferred from the IJAAF.

Ki-69: Heavily-armed escort fighter model. Only a project.

Ki-97: Transport model. Only a project.

Ki-109: Night fighter prototypes. Ki-67-I modified for night fighting for operating in pairs, the Ki-109a with a radar/reflector (similar to the Douglas Havoc II "Turbinlite") for radar transmission and detection and the Ki-109b, armed with twin 37 mm Ho-203 cannon in an upward-firing Schrage Musik-style fixed dorsal mount (as the single Ho-203 autocannon in the Mitsubishi Ki-46-III KAI was) to destroy the objective. Only a project.

Ki-109: Day Fighter prototypes. Ki-67-I modified for daylight fighting. One fixed 75 mm Type 88 Heavy Cannon in the nose and one mobile 12.7 mm (0.5 in) Ho-103 Type 1 machine gun in the tail. Equipped with Mitsubishi Ha-104 engines of 1,417 kW (1,900 hp) each or turbochargers Ha-104 Ru with 1,417 kW (1,900 hp) each. 2 produced.

Ki-109 Army Heavy Fighter Interceptor: First non-prototype model of series. Lacking gun positions in upper and side positions and without bomb-bay compartments. Fixed 75 mm Type 88 Heavy Cannon in the nose retained from Day Fighter prototype. Had a revised version of tail gun. 22 constructed by Mitsubishi.

Ki-112: Wooden bomber model. Only a project.

Ki-167 "Sakura-dan": Special attack version equipped with one shaped charge thermite bomb of 2,900 kg (6,400 lb) in the fuselage behind the crew cabin. The shape of the bomb conducted the blast forward, projecting a jet capable of reaching nearly a mile with a maximum blast radius of 300 m (980 ft). The bomb was designed to breach emplacements as well as to destroy massed formations of armor. 9 produced.[4]
Q2M1 "Taiyo": A Navy variant based on the Ki-67-I, specifically designed for antisubmarine warfare. Equipped with radar units (Type3 Model 1 MAD (KMX), Type 3 Ku-6 Model 4 Radar, and ESM Antenna equipment). Had two Mitsubishi Kasei 25 Otsu engines of 1,380 kW (1,850 hp) each with six-blade propellers. Carried torpedoes or depth charges. Only a project.

JohnnyS

Awesome Ernie, you've done it again!

You're up!!.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Thank you, Sir. I will freely admit I was off on a chase down a rabbit hole for a while. I seemed to be obsessed with a half remembered story about a WWI bomber being converted into a fighter, and armed with a cannon, to intercept Zeppelins. That aircraft didn't work out well, but it met the basic clues you provided. Only after breaking my focus on the WWI interceptor, did I consider the Ki-109. Well, let's focus on the pilots, rather than their aircraft, for a little while. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?

Clues:

(1) He is acknowledged as one of the highest scoring aces of his country.

(2) Yet his name seems to have fallen into the status of virtual unknown.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Afternoon clue. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?

Clues:

(1) He is acknowledged as one of the highest scoring aces of his country.

(2) Yet his name seems to have fallen into the status of virtual unknown.

(3) Because of his particular status, no one seems to have noticed him or his exploits.

metaldriver

Willie Copens ace for Belgium in WW1

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Good thought process, metaldriver, and he meets all the clues thus far; just not the pilot I'm after. Maybe this evening clue will help you narrow in on the right name. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?

Clues:

(1) He is acknowledged as one of the highest scoring aces of his country.

(2) Yet his name seems to have fallen into the status of virtual unknown.

(3) Because of his particular status, no one seems to have noticed him or his exploits.

(4) He is not listed in this list; nor on that list. But his name is on some lists.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Morning clue. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?

Clues:

(1) He is acknowledged as one of the highest scoring aces of his country.

(2) Yet his name seems to have fallen into the status of virtual unknown.

(3) Because of his particular status, no one seems to have noticed him or his exploits.

(4) He is not listed in this list; nor on that list. But his name is on some lists.

(5) He died before the end of his war; and no one seems to have been willing to publicize his victories.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

(Late) Afternoon clue. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?

Clues:

(1) He is acknowledged as one of the highest scoring aces of his country.

(2) Yet his name seems to have fallen into the status of virtual unknown.

(3) Because of his particular status, no one seems to have noticed him or his exploits.

(4) He is not listed in this list; nor on that list. But his name is on some lists.

(5) He died before the end of his war; and no one seems to have been willing to publicize his victories.

(6) His logbook lists over 40 kills, but some were unwitnessed; and not in the official records.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Evening clue. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?

Clues:

(1) He is acknowledged as one of the highest scoring aces of his country.

(2) Yet his name seems to have fallen into the status of virtual unknown.

(3) Because of his particular status, no one seems to have noticed him or his exploits.

(4) He is not listed in this list; nor on that list. But his name is on some lists.

(5) He died before the end of his war; and no one seems to have been willing to publicize his victories.

(6) His logbook lists over 40 kills, but some were unwitnessed; and not in the official records.

(7) Still, even the official records credit him with more than enough victories to draw notice; and to rank him among the greatest aces of his conflict.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Morning clue. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?

Clues:

(1) He is acknowledged as one of the highest scoring aces of his country.

(2) Yet his name seems to have fallen into the status of virtual unknown.

(3) Because of his particular status, no one seems to have noticed him or his exploits.

(4) He is not listed in this list; nor on that list. But his name is on some lists.

(5) He died before the end of his war; and no one seems to have been willing to publicize his victories.

(6) His logbook lists over 40 kills, but some were unwitnessed; and not in the official records.

(7) Still, even the official records credit him with more than enough victories to draw notice; and to rank him among the greatest aces of his conflict.

(8) He had always wanted to fly. With WWII approaching, he gained his (civilian) pilot’s license and tried to join his country’s military.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Evening clue. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?

Clues:

(1) He is acknowledged as one of the highest scoring aces of his country.

(2) Yet his name seems to have fallen into the status of virtual unknown.

(3) Because of his particular status, no one seems to have noticed him or his exploits.

(4) He is not listed in this list; nor on that list. But his name is on some lists.

(5) He died before the end of his war; and no one seems to have been willing to publicize his victories.

(6) His logbook lists over 40 kills, but some were unwitnessed; and not in the official records.

(7) Still, even the official records credit him with more than enough victories to draw notice; and to rank him among the greatest aces of his conflict.

(8) He had always wanted to fly. With WWII approaching, he gained his (civilian) pilot’s license and tried to join his country’s military.

(9) He was turned down; so tried to join the military of a foreign, though friendly, power.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Morning clue. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?

Clues:

(1) He is acknowledged as one of the highest scoring aces of his country.

(2) Yet his name seems to have fallen into the status of virtual unknown.

(3) Because of his particular status, no one seems to have noticed him or his exploits.

(4) He is not listed in this list; nor on that list. But his name is on some lists.

(5) He died before the end of his war; and no one seems to have been willing to publicize his victories.

(6) His logbook lists over 40 kills, but some were unwitnessed; and not in the official records.

(7) Still, even the official records credit him with more than enough victories to draw notice; and to rank him among the greatest aces of his conflict.

(8) He had always wanted to fly. With WWII approaching, he gained his (civilian) pilot’s license and tried to join his country’s military.

(9) He was turned down; so tried to join the military of a foreign, though friendly, power.

(10) Fearful of being turned down again, he padded his resume a bit and was accepted.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

(Big) afternoon clue. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?

Clues:

(1) He is acknowledged as one of the highest scoring aces of his country.

(2) Yet his name seems to have fallen into the status of virtual unknown.

(3) Because of his particular status, no one seems to have noticed him or his exploits.

(4) He is not listed in this list; nor on that list. But his name is on some lists.

(5) He died before the end of his war; and no one seems to have been willing to publicize his victories.

(6) His logbook lists over 40 kills, but some were unwitnessed; and not in the official records.

(7) Still, even the official records credit him with more than enough victories to draw notice; and to rank him among the greatest aces of his conflict.

(8) He had always wanted to fly. With WWII approaching, he gained his (civilian) pilot’s license and tried to join his country’s military.

(9) He was turned down; so tried to join the military of a foreign, though friendly, power.

(10) Fearful of being turned down again, he padded his resume a bit and was accepted.

(11) His new employers demanded a full name; first, middle and last. Since he only had first and middle initials, he invented a new name to satisfy them.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Evening clue. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?

Clues:

(1) He is acknowledged as one of the highest scoring aces of his country.

(2) Yet his name seems to have fallen into the status of virtual unknown.

(3) Because of his particular status, no one seems to have noticed him or his exploits.

(4) He is not listed in this list; nor on that list. But his name is on some lists.

(5) He died before the end of his war; and no one seems to have been willing to publicize his victories.

(6) His logbook lists over 40 kills, but some were unwitnessed; and not in the official records.

(7) Still, even the official records credit him with more than enough victories to draw notice; and to rank him among the greatest aces of his conflict.

(8) He had always wanted to fly. With WWII approaching, he gained his (civilian) pilot’s license and tried to join his country’s military.

(9) He was turned down; so tried to join the military of a foreign, though friendly, power.

(10) Fearful of being turned down again, he padded his resume a bit and was accepted.

(11) His new employers demanded a full name; first, middle and last. Since he only had first and middle initials, he invented a new name to satisfy them.

(12) He served two full “tours of duty”.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Morning clue. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?

Clues:

(1) He is acknowledged as one of the highest scoring aces of his country.

(2) Yet his name seems to have fallen into the status of virtual unknown.

(3) Because of his particular status, no one seems to have noticed him or his exploits.

(4) He is not listed in this list; nor on that list. But his name is on some lists.

(5) He died before the end of his war; and no one seems to have been willing to publicize his victories.

(6) His logbook lists over 40 kills, but some were unwitnessed; and not in the official records.

(7) Still, even the official records credit him with more than enough victories to draw notice; and to rank him among the greatest aces of his conflict.

(8) He had always wanted to fly. With WWII approaching, he gained his (civilian) pilot’s license and tried to join his country’s military.

(9) He was turned down; so tried to join the military of a foreign, though friendly, power.

(10) Fearful of being turned down again, he padded his resume a bit and was accepted.

(11) His new employers demanded a full name; first, middle and last. Since he only had first and middle initials, he invented a new name to satisfy them.

(12) He served two full “tours of duty”.

(13) At the time, he was the highest scoring ace of his service in his area of operations.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Afternoon clue. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?

Clues:

(1) He is acknowledged as one of the highest scoring aces of his country.

(2) Yet his name seems to have fallen into the status of virtual unknown.

(3) Because of his particular status, no one seems to have noticed him or his exploits.

(4) He is not listed in this list; nor on that list. But his name is on some lists.

(5) He died before the end of his war; and no one seems to have been willing to publicize his victories.

(6) His logbook lists over 40 kills, but some were unwitnessed; and not in the official records.

(7) Still, even the official records credit him with more than enough victories to draw notice; and to rank him among the greatest aces of his conflict.

(8) He had always wanted to fly. With WWII approaching, he gained his (civilian) pilot’s license and tried to join his country’s military.

(9) He was turned down; so tried to join the military of a foreign, though friendly, power.

(10) Fearful of being turned down again, he padded his resume a bit and was accepted.

(11) His new employers demanded a full name; first, middle and last. Since he only had first and middle initials, he invented a new name to satisfy them.

(12) He served two full “tours of duty”.

(13) At the time, he was the highest scoring ace of his service in his area of operations.

(14) Although considered to be one of the best pilots of his branch of service, his name is usually found in the “footnotes” section.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Evening clue. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?

Clues:

(1) He is acknowledged as one of the highest scoring aces of his country.

(2) Yet his name seems to have fallen into the status of virtual unknown.

(3) Because of his particular status, no one seems to have noticed him or his exploits.

(4) He is not listed in this list; nor on that list. But his name is on some lists.

(5) He died before the end of his war; and no one seems to have been willing to publicize his victories.

(6) His logbook lists over 40 kills, but some were unwitnessed; and not in the official records.

(7) Still, even the official records credit him with more than enough victories to draw notice; and to rank him among the greatest aces of his conflict.

(8) He had always wanted to fly. With WWII approaching, he gained his (civilian) pilot’s license and tried to join his country’s military.

(9) He was turned down; so tried to join the military of a foreign, though friendly, power.

(10) Fearful of being turned down again, he padded his resume a bit and was accepted.

(11) His new employers demanded a full name; first, middle and last. Since he only had first and middle initials, he invented a new name to satisfy them.

(12) He served two full “tours of duty”.

(13) At the time, he was the highest scoring ace of his service in his area of operations.

(14) Although considered to be one of the best pilots of his branch of service, his name is usually found in the “footnotes” section.

(15) He grew up on a farm.

Redback

I'm trying, honestly!!!

Terry

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

In that case, Sir; here is an extra late night clue to assist you. Again, (11) is a big one. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?

Clues:

(1) He is acknowledged as one of the highest scoring aces of his country.

(2) Yet his name seems to have fallen into the status of virtual unknown.

(3) Because of his particular status, no one seems to have noticed him or his exploits.

(4) He is not listed in this list; nor on that list. But his name is on some lists.

(5) He died before the end of his war; and no one seems to have been willing to publicize his victories.

(6) His logbook lists over 40 kills, but some were unwitnessed; and not in the official records.

(7) Still, even the official records credit him with more than enough victories to draw notice; and to rank him among the greatest aces of his conflict.

(8) He had always wanted to fly. With WWII approaching, he gained his (civilian) pilot’s license and tried to join his country’s military.

(9) He was turned down; so tried to join the military of a foreign, though friendly, power.

(10) Fearful of being turned down again, he padded his resume a bit and was accepted.

(11) His new employers demanded a full name; first, middle and last. Since he only had first and middle initials, he invented a new name to satisfy them.

(12) He served two full “tours of duty”.

(13) At the time, he was the highest scoring ace of his service in his area of operations.

(14) Although considered to be one of the best pilots of his branch of service, his name is usually found in the “footnotes” section.

(15) He grew up on a farm.

(16) He left home at 19 to pursue employment during the world wide depression of the 1930’s.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Early morning clue. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?

Clues:

(1) He is acknowledged as one of the highest scoring aces of his country.

(2) Yet his name seems to have fallen into the status of virtual unknown.

(3) Because of his particular status, no one seems to have noticed him or his exploits.

(4) He is not listed in this list; nor on that list. But his name is on some lists.

(5) He died before the end of his war; and no one seems to have been willing to publicize his victories.

(6) His logbook lists over 40 kills, but some were unwitnessed; and not in the official records.

(7) Still, even the official records credit him with more than enough victories to draw notice; and to rank him among the greatest aces of his conflict.

(8) He had always wanted to fly. With WWII approaching, he gained his (civilian) pilot’s license and tried to join his country’s military.

(9) He was turned down; so tried to join the military of a foreign, though friendly, power.

(10) Fearful of being turned down again, he padded his resume a bit and was accepted.

(11) His new employers demanded a full name; first, middle and last. Since he only had first and middle initials, he invented a new name to satisfy them.

(12) He served two full “tours of duty”.

(13) At the time, he was the highest scoring ace of his service in his area of operations.

(14) Although considered to be one of the best pilots of his branch of service, his name is usually found in the “footnotes” section.

(15) He grew up on a farm.

(16) He left home at 19 to pursue employment during the world wide depression of the 1930’s.

(17) After training, his first mission began with launching from Ark Royal.