Japanese Ki-100 available in late 1942/early 1943

The Ki-100 Japanese fighter was capable of high-altitude interception of B-29s and is overall considered one of their best fighter aircraft of the war. It came about while refining the Ki-61 design with their newer, more powerful Homare engine, the engine and airframe both being available in early 1942. Suppose on a fluke someone decides to put the powerful engine in the Ki-61 airframe two years ahead of schedule - it does not win Japan the war but what effects does it have, if any?
 
The Ki-100 didn't use the Homare engine, built by Nakajima. It was powered by the latest development of the Mitsubishi Ha-112-II, or as we call it, the Kinsei. Yes, the same engine that Jiro Horikoshi wanted to install in the Zero fighter, for which he finally got the go-head for the A6M-8, way, way too late. The Kinsei wasn't providing the power that you're looking for in 1942. The Ki-61 wasn't ready to enter service until 1943, and wouldn't have been built at all, except for the inspiration of using the DB engine in an He-100-style airframe. It might have been developed sooner if they hadn't dithered so long with the ill-conceived Ki-60, but some dithering is required, after all.
 
Theoretically, you can have the Ki-61 (call it Ki-61 KAI) fitted with a 1250HP Ha-112 engine in 1942, as i understand it it this is the Army version of Navy's 1300HP Kinsei-50 series. Speed i would estimate it in the range of 570kph. Fitted with similar armament to Ki-61, the aircraft will be lighter and more maneuverable than Ki-61, yet still maintaining the high-dive speed, sturdiness and protection. Could make a difference in New Guinea, as it would be much more reliable than the regular Ha-40 fitted Ki-61. The 1500HP Ha-112-II engine was already flying in prototype form in late 1942, if they divert more resources to it from the Ha-40 engine which have proven problematic, it might enter series production in 1943. So you can have something like Ki-100 entering production (590kph max speed) by end 1943, rather than early 1945. Increased Ha-112 production could also lead to something like the Nakajima Ki-116 produced in parallel to Ki-84, with the also problematic Ha-45. This could replace the historical Ki-43-III production. Ki-116 would be head and shoulders above Ki-43-III, much faster and stronger built, better protected, 4 guns instead of two.

Finally, if someone is really thinking you could have something like the A6M8 fitted with Kinsei-60 series engines (Army Ha-112-II) flying in prototype form by mid 1943. If one can assume they would still keep it as light as possible, armed with 2x 13mm MGs and 2x 20mm cannons, and it wouldn't have the armour and self-sealing tanks historically present on A6M8 (and the bomb racks), then it will be a lighter machine and presumably a bit faster (say 580-585kph). You could have significant numbers of these by spring 1944. Would they make a difference? Who knows, but certainly would help.

All in all if this were to have happened the air war for the US would have been significantly more costly in 1943-45.
 
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