Japan's Kawasaki Ki-100 fighter, Army Type 5
Photos
Kawasaki Ki-100-Ia fighter: |
Kawasaki Ki-100-Ib fighter: |
Design
The Kawasaki Ki-100 was made by combining Ki-61-II airframes with the Mitsubishi Ha-112-II radial engine.1,2
The designers of the Ki-100 studied the engine mounting system on the Focke-Wulf 190A to determine a method for mounting the small diameter Ha-112 radial.1,2
Engine
The Kawasaki Ha-140 engine was to be used but the Akashi factory was destroyed in an air raid.1,2,3
As there were airframes waiting to have engines installed, Kawasaki converted three by installing the Mitsubishi Ha-112-II engine.3 Once these were show to be successful the rest of the airframes were converted by May 1945.3
Prototype
The prototype of the Ki-100 first flew on February 1, 1945.1,2,3 The prototype was found to be maneuverable and high performance.1 Two more prototypes were constructed and showed excellent results in tests.1
The Ki-100-II prototypes first flew in May and June 1945.1
Production
- Prototypes: 31
- Kawasaki Ki-100-Ia, Army type 5 Fighter Model 1A: 2721
- The Imperial Japanese Army Air Force ordered 272 Ki-100-Ia conversions.1 Deliveries began in March 1945.1
- Kawasaki Ki-100-Ib: 993, 1062, 1181
- Entered production in May 1945.1
- Kawasaki Ki-100-II: 22, 31,3
- Total: 3961,2
- Manufacturer: Kawasaki Kokuki Kogyo K.K.2
- Production: February - August 19452
- 275 prototypes and Ki-100-Ias converted from Ki-61-II airframes.1,2
Variants
- Kawasaki Ki-100-Ia, Army type 5 Fighter Model 1A: Converted from Ki-61-II airframes.1,2
- Kawasaki Ki-100-Ib: Fuselage was cut down behind the cockpit.1,3 New canopy allowed for all around vision.1
- Kawasaki Ki-100-II: Only prototypes built.1,2,3 Was to have turbo charged Ha-112 engine.1,3 Was improved aerodynamically.2
Usage
The Ki-100 was used as an excellent high altitude interceptor.2
Highly Successful
On Ki-100 unit destroyed fourteen United States Navy Hellcats without a loss to themselves.1
Specifications
| Kawasaki Ki-1001 | Kawasaki Ki-100-I1 | Kawasaki Ki-100-Ia/b3 | Kawasaki Ki-100-II2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Fighter1 | Fighter3 | Fighter2 | |
| Crew | 11 | 13 | 12 | |
| Engine (Type) | Mitsubishi Ha-112-II1 | Mitsubishi Ha-112-II3 | Mitsubishi Ha-112-II Ru2 | |
| Cylinders | Radial 141 | Radial 143 | Radial 142 | |
| Cooling | Air2 | |||
| Net HP | 1,5001 | 1,5003 | 1,5002 | |
| Propeller blades | 31 | |||
| Dimensions | ||||
| Span | 39' 4.5"1 12 m1 |
39' 4.4"3 12 m3 |
39' 4"2 | |
| Length | 28' 11.25"1 8.82 m1 |
28' 10.5"3 8.8 m3 |
28' 11"2 | |
| Height | 12' 3.5"1 3.75 m1 |
12' 3.6"3 3.75 m3 |
12' 3"2 | |
| Wing area | 215.3 ft2 3 20 m2 3 |
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| Weight | ||||
| Empty | 5,567 lb1 2,525 kg1 |
5,952 lb3 2,700 kg3 |
||
| Loaded | 7,705 lb1 3,495 kg1 |
8,091 lb3 3,670 kg3 |
8,091 lb2 | |
| Performance | ||||
| Speed @ 19,685' / 6,000 m |
360 mph1 579 kph1 |
454 mph2 | ||
| Speed @ 32,810' / 10,000 m |
332 mph1 534 kph1 |
367 mph3 590 kph3 |
||
| Cruising speed | 248 mph1 400 kph1 |
217 mph3 350 kph3 |
||
| Climb | 3,280'/minute1 1,000 m/minute1 |
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| Climb to 16,405' / 5,000 m |
20 minutes1 | |||
| Climb to 32,810' / 10,000 m |
20 minutes3 | |||
| Service ceiling | 36,090'1 11,000 m1 |
35,007'3 10,670 m3 |
36,090'2 | |
| Range | 870 miles1 1,400 km1 |
1,243 miles3 2,000 km3 |
1,118 miles2 | |
| Range with drop tanks | 1,367 miles1 2,200 km1 |
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| Armament | 2: MG2 2: 20 mm2 |
|||
| Nose | 2: 20 mm1 | 2: 12.7 mm Ho-103 Type I MG3 | ||
| Wings | 2: 12.7 mm MG1 | 2: 20 mm Ho-53 | ||
| Bombs | 2: 551 lb3 2: 250 kg3 |
1,100 lb2 | ||
| Bombs - under wings | 2: 551 lb1 2: 250 kg1 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
- World War II Airplanes Volume 2, Enzo Angelucci, Paolo Matricardi, 1976
- The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Chris Bishop, 1998
