Superfortresses over the metropolitan Japanese islands. It lacked stability for sustained shooting of the 37 mm (1.46 in) weapon, had only a thin layer of armour plating, lacked self-sealing fuel tanks, and was slow to climb. The Ki-46 was also assigned to two whole Sentai (wings/groups), as well as individual Chutaicho (junior operational commanders) in the Imperial Japanese Army Air Service, during the Pacific War. The Allies captured some examples during the conflict, which were then repaired and flown for evaluation purposes. The Ki-46 III was the only Japanese aircraft type sent to the NII VVS Soviet Air Force Test Institute, for evaluation during 1946–7. Variants (note:- The Shiki designations must be used in full, as written below, because the Type number only refers to the year of the designs inception.) Army Type 100 Command Reconnaissance Plane The Shiki designation for the Ki-46 Command Reconnaissance Plane Army Type 100 Air Defence FighterThe Shiki designation for the Ki-46 Interceptor Fighter Army Type 100 Assault PlaneThe Shiki designation for the Ki-46 Assault Plane Ki-46 Prototype. Ki-46 I Reconnaissance version of the Ki-46. Ki-46 II The first operational model of the series. Ki-46 II KAI Three-seat training version of the Ki-46. Used for radio and navigation training, with a redesigned cabin, dorsal en echelon extension. Conversions of the Ki-46 II. Ki-46 III "Traditional" stepped windshield replaced with a smooth, curved, glazed panel extended over the pilot's seat giving a more aerodynamic nose profile. Engine power increased to 1,500 hp (Ha-112-II), extra fuel tank added in the nose. Ki-46 III-KAI Defense interceptor/night fighter version of the Ki-46. Equipped with two 20 mm cannon in the nose and one 37 mm (1.46 in) cannon in the "Schräge Musik"-style upwards-aimed dorsal frontal position. Ki-46 III Land strike version of the Ki-46, without 37 mm (1.46 in) cannon armament. Ki-46 IIIb Ground-attack version. Ki-46 IIIc Unbuilt design project. Ki-46 IV Prototype, equipped with two turbocharged 1,119 kW (1,500 hp) Mitsubishi Ha-112-IIru engines, and more fuel capacity. Ki-46 IVa/b Series models of reconnaissance/fighter aircraft, unbuilt design projects Operators French Air Force – Captured aircraft. Imperial Japanese Army Air Force Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service Chinese Communist Air Force Two captured Ki-46s in communist Chinese hands served as a ground-attack aircraft and a trainer respectively, and the last Ki-46 retired in the early 1950s. Surviving aircraft The only known survivor is a Ki-46-III Army Type 100 example, currently on