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Japan's Nakajima Ki-27 fighter bomber1;
Army Type 97
Allied Name: "Nate"1
Nakajima Ki-27 fighter bomber: |
Nakajima Ki-27 fighter bomber: |
Nakajima Ki-27 fighter bomber: |
Nakajima Ki-27b fighter bomber: |
Design
Development of the Nakajima Ki-27 started in 1935.1 The first built was a proof of concept aircraft called the PE.1
In the late 1930s the Nakajima Ki-27 was what most Japanese pilots wanted, a highly maneuverable fighting aircraft.1
Fuselage
The fuselage was of all metal construction.1 The Ki-27 had a stressed skin.1
Undercarriage
The undercarriage was fixed.1
Prototype
The PE first flew in July 1936.1
Two of the Ki-27 prototypes first flew on October 15, 1936.1
Production
The first Ki-27a production aircraft was built in early 1938.1
Manysu Hokoi Seizo KK (Manchurian Aeroplane Manufacturing Co.) started production in 1942.1
- PE: 11
- Ki-27 prototypes and pre production: 121
- Ki-27a and Ki-27b: 3,3841
- Manufactured by: Nakajima (2,005)1, Manysu Hokoi Seizo KK (1,379)1
- Ki-27 KAI: 21
- Total: 3,3991
Variants
- PE: Proof of concept.1
- Ki-27 prototype: Had a Nakajima Ha-1a radial engine (650 HP).1
- Ki-27 pre production:
- Ki-27a: Had a Nakajima Ha-1b engine.1 Metal faired canopy.1
- Ki-27b: Clear canopy.1 Light bombs under the center section of the wings.1
- Ki-27 KAI: Lighter weight.1
Usage
Japan, Manchuria, and Thailand (12) used the Ki-27.1
Nomonham Incident
Against Russia in May - September 1940, during the Nomonham Incident, the Ki-27 pilots claimed 1,340 Russian aircraft shot down.1 Revised figures place this to be actually around 200.1
South West Pacific
In December 1941 the Ki-27s supported the Japanese invasion of the Philippines, Malaya Burma, and the Netherlands East Indies.1
Secondary Roles
Once the Ki-27 was withdrawn from front line combat, they were used for defense of the Japanese home islands and training.1
Kamikaze
As a kamikaze aircraft it could carry a 1,102 lb / 500 kg bomb.1
| Nakajima Ki-271 | Nakajima Ki-27a1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Fighter bomber1 | |
| Crew | 11 | |
| Engine (Type) | Nakajima Ha-1b1 | |
| Cylinders | Radial 91 | |
| Cooling | ||
| Net HP | 7801 | |
| Propeller blades | 21 | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Span | 37' 1.25"1 11.31 m1 |
|
| Length | 24' 8.5"1 7.53 m1 |
|
| Height | 10' 8"1 3.25 m1 |
|
| Wing area | ||
| Weight | ||
| Empty | 2,447 lb1 1,110 kg1 |
|
| Loaded | 3,946 lb1 1,790 kg1 |
|
| Performance | ||
| Speed @ 11,480' / 3,500 m |
292 mph1 470 kph1 |
|
| Cruising Speed | 217 mph1 349 kph1 |
|
| Climb | 2,953'/minute1 900 m/minute1 |
|
| Climb to 6,560' / 2,000 m |
2.1 minutes1 | |
| Climb to 16,405' / 5,000 m |
5.4 minutes1 | |
| Service ceiling | ||
| Range | 390 miles1 627 kph1 |
|
| Range with drop tanks | 1,060 miles1 1,705 km1 |
|
| Armament | ||
| Nose | 2: 7.7 mm MG1 | |
| Bombs | 4: 55 lb1 4: 25 kg1 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
