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Japan's Kawasaki Ki-102 fighter; Army Type 4
Allied code name: Randy

Photos

Kawasaki Ki-102 fighter1:
Japan's Kawasaki Kawasaki Ki-102 fighter		 Kawasaki Ki-102 fighter1:
Japan's Kawasaki Kawasaki Ki-102 fighter		    

Design

The Kawasaki Ki-102 was based on the Ki-96 twin engine fighter.1 The Ki-45 was to be replaced by the Ki-102.2

Prototype

The Ki-102 prototype first flew in March 1944.1 Testing showed that the tail wheel strut needed to be taller as the Ki-102 was directionally unstable on the ground.1

Production

  • Prototypes and pre production: 231
  • Kawasaki Ki-102a: 262
  • Kawasaki Ki-102b: 2151,2
    • Deliveries began in late 1944.1
  • Total: 2381, 2412
    • Manufacturer: Kawasaki Kokuki Kogyo K.K.2
  • Conversions:
    • Kawasaki Ki-102a: 261
      • First flew in June 1944.1
    • Kawasaki Ki-102c: 21
      • First flew in July 1945.1

Variants

  • Kawasaki Ki-102a: Heavy fighter.2
  • Kawasaki Ki-102b: Ground attack.2
  • Kawasaki Ki-102c: Night fighter.2 Engine had superchargers for high altitude flight.1 Could carry a 57 mm cannon.2

Usage

The Ki-102 was seen during the Okinawa invasion.1 Many of the Ki-102s were stationed in Japan to protect the home islands.1

Air-to-Ground Missile

The Ki-102b was used in the Igo-1-B air-to-ground guided missile tests.1

Specifications

  Kawasaki Ki-1021 Kawasaki Ki-102a1,2 Kawasaki Ki-102b1 Kawasaki Ki-102c1
Type Heavy fighter1
Ground attack1 		Fighter2, High altitude fighter1 Ground attack1 Night fighter1
Crew 21 22    
Engine (Type)   2: Mitsubishi Ha-112-II Ru1,2 2: Mitsubishi Ha-112-II1 2: Mitsubishi Ha-112-II Ru1
Cylinders   Radial 142 Radial 141  
Cooling   Air2    
Net HP   1,500 each1,2 1,500 each1 1,500 each1
Propeller blades   3 each1 3 each1 3 each1
Dimensions        
Span   51' 1"1,2
15.57 m1 		51' 1"1
15.57 m1 		56' 7"1
17.25 m1
Length   37' 6.75"1, 37' 7"2
11.45 m1 		37' 6.75"1
11.45 m1 		42' 9.75"1
13.05 m1
Height   12' 1.75"1, 12' 2"2
3.7 m1 		12' 1.75"1
3.7 m1 		 
Wing area        
Weight        
Empty     10,913 lb1
4,950 kg1 		11,464 lb1
5,200 kg1
Loaded   16,094 lb2 16,094 lb1
7,300 kg1 		16,755 lb1
7,600 kg1
Performance        
Speed @ 19,685' /
6,000 m 		  360 mph2 360 mph1
579 kph1 		 
Speed @ 32,810' /
10,000 m 		      373 mph1
600 kph1
Cruising speed        
Climb        
Climb to 16,405' /
5,000 m 		    6.9 minutes1  
Service ceiling   32,810'2 32,810'1
10,000 m1 		44,290'1
13,5001
Range   1,243 miles2 1,243 miles1
2,000 km1 		1,367 miles1
2,200 km1
Armament   1: MG2    
Nose   1: 57 mm1,2 1: 57 mm1  
Forward belly   1: 20 mm1
2: 20 mm2 		1: 20 mm1 2: 30 mm1
Rear cockpit     1: 12.7 mm MG1  
Upward firing in fuselage       2: 20 mm1
Bombs     2: 551 lb1
2: 250 kg1 		 

Sources:

  1. Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
  2. World War II Airplanes Volume 2, Enzo Angelucci, Paolo Matricardi, 1976