Flown by the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force in WWII, this single-engine, land-based tactical fighter went by the army designation "Army Type 2 Single-Seat Fighter" and Allied code name "Tojo". Nakajima began Ki44 development in 1940, solely as an interceptor - emphasizing airspeed and rate of climb over maneuverability. Not only was its armament superior to the older Ki43, but the Ki44 could also match Allied aircraft in climbs and dives, giving its pilots far more flexibility in combat. These characteristics made it an effective B-29 Superfortress destroyer and one of the Japanese High Command priorities during the last year of the war.