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Japan's Kawasaki Ki-32 bomber, Army Type 98
Allied code: Mary

Photos

Kawasaki Ki-32 bomber:
Japan's Kawasaki Ki-32 bomber 		Kawasaki Ki-32 bomber:
Japan's Kawasaki Ki-32 bomber		    

Design

Kawasaki and Mitsubishi were asked by the Japanese Army in 1936 to develop a monoplane that had:

  • Single engine1
  • Carry 660 - 990 lbs of bombs1
  • Cruise at 187.5 mph1
  • Fly between 6,500' and 13,000'1
  • Maximum speed of 250 mph at 10,000'1
  • Armament of two machine guns1

Isamu Imashi and Shiro Ota designed the plane with a liquid cooled engine.1 The Mitsubishi and Kawasaki designs were similar and the Mitsubishi Ki-30 was put into production.1 With war coming it was decided to produce both of them side by side.1

The Kawasaki Ki-32 was the last bomber used by the Japanese Army that used a liquid cooled engine as they were more vulnerable than air cooled.1

Prototype

The prototype first flew in March 1937.1

Production

  • Kawasaki Ki-32: 8541
  • Manufacturer: Kawasaki Kokuki Kogyo K.K.1
  • Production: 1938 - May 19401

Variants

Usage

The Ki-32 was first used in China and was used until the beginning of 1942.1 After which it was moved to be a trainer.1

Specifications

  Kawasaki Ki-321
Type Bomber1
Crew 21
Engine (Type) Kawasaki Ha-9-IIb1
Cylinders V 121
Cooling Liquid1
Net HP 8501
Propeller blades  
Fuel capacity  
Dimensions  
Span 49' 2"1
Length 38' 2"1
Height 9' 6"1
Wing area  
Weight  
Empty  
Loaded 7,802 lb1
Performance  
Speed @ 12,925' 263 mph1
Cruising speed  
Climb  
Service ceiling 29,265'1
Range 826 miles1
Armament 2: MG1
Bombs 992 lb1

Sources:

  1. World War II Airplanes Volume 2, Enzo Angelucci, Paolo Matricardi, 1976