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Japan's Kawasaki Ki-100 fighter1
Army Type 5
Kawasaki Ki-100-Ia fighter1:
Kawasaki Ki-100-IIb fighter, cockpit:
Design
The Kawasaki Ki-100 was made by combining Ki-61-II airframes with the Mitsubishi Ha-112-II radial engine.1 The frames were available as the inline Kawasaki Ha-140 had delivery and reliability problems.1
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
Prototype
The prototype of the Ki-100 first flew on February 1, 1945.1 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
- Ki-100-Ia: 2721
- The Imperial Japanese Army Air Force ordered 272 Ki-100-Ia conversions.1 Deliveries began in March 1945.1
- Ki-100-Ib: 1181
- Entered production in May 1945.1
- Ki-100-II: 31
- Total: 3961
- 275 prototypes and Ki-100-Ias converted from Ki-61-II airframes.1
Variants
- Ki-100-Ia: Converted from Ki-61-II airframes.1
- Ki-100-Ib: Fuselage was cut down behind the cockpit.1 New canopy allowed for all around vision.1
- Ki-100-II: Only prototypes built.1 Was to have turbo charged Ha-112 engine.1
Usage
Highly Successful
On Ki-100 unit destroyed fourteen United States Navy Hellcats without a loss to themselves.1
| Kawasaki Ki-1001 | Kawasaki Ki-100-I1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Fighter1 | |
| Crew | 11 | |
| Engine (Type) | Mitsubishi Ha-112-II1 | |
| Cylinders | Radial 141 | |
| Cooling | ||
| Net HP | 1,5001 | |
| Propeller blades | 31 | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Span | 39' 4.5"1 12 m1 |
|
| Length | 28' 11.25"1 8.82 m1 |
|
| Height | 12' 3.5"1 3.75 m1 |
|
| Wing area | ||
| Weight | ||
| Empty | 5,567 lb1 2,525 kg1 |
|
| Loaded | 7,705 lb1 3,495 kg1 |
|
| Performance | ||
| Speed @ 19,685' / 6,000 m |
360 mph1 579 kph1 |
|
| Speed @ 32,810' / 10,000 m |
332 mph1 534 kph1 |
|
| Cruising speed | 248 mph1 400 kph1 |
|
| Climb | 3,280'/minute1 1,000 m/minute1 |
|
| Climb to 16,405' / 5,000 m |
20 minutes1 | |
| Service ceiling | 36,090'1 11,000 m1 |
|
| Range | 870 miles1 1,400 km1 |
|
| Range with drop tanks | 1,367 miles1 2,200 km1 |
|
| Armament | ||
| Nose | 2: 20 mm1 | |
| Wings | 2: 12.7 mm MG1 | |
| Bombs - under wings | 2: 551 lb1 2: 250 kg1 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
