Hitachi Jimpu

The Gasuden Jimpu or Kamikaze (later produced by Hitachi) was a Japanese seven-cylinder air-cooled radial aircraft engine from the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s. It was the first aircraft engine produced by Tokyo Gas and Electric (神風, 東京瓦斯電気工業, Tokyo Gasu Denki), often abbreviated to Gasuden, and the first production engine produced in Japan. It was produced in large numbers to power training and light aircraft before and during the Pacific War.

Jimpu
A typical mounting on a Yokosuka K4Y1
Type 7-cylinder air cooled radial
National origin Japan
Manufacturer Gasuden/Hitachi
First run 1927
Major applications Yokosuka K2Y2 and K4Y1
Number built 8,300 to 12,500

Design and development

The early development of aircraft in Japan was fully dependent on engines from abroad, although many of these designs were license built by Japanese companies. Gasuden was no exception, building Le Rhone rotaries in the early 1920s.[1] However, by 1926, the company had gained enough experience to develop its own first engine. Taking inspiration from the Armstrong Siddeley Mongoose, the company developed a seven-cylinder star-shaped radial made of alloy and using an integral impellor-based carburettor.[2] The prototype was first run in 1927 and was the first indigenous design to achieve production in Japan.[3]

The resulting engine was a single row radial with seven cylinders of bore 115 mm (4.5 in) and stroke 120 mm (4.7 in).[4] Running on 80 Octane fuel, the engine was rated at sea level at 150 hp (112 kW).[5] The engine had no compressor, although some later models were fitted with a single speed mechanical supercharger to boost performance.[2]

Initially, the engine was first known as the divine wind (神風, Kamikaze), but was later better known as the encampment wind (陣 風, Jimpu) as the range of engines produced by the company increased. Production ran from 1928 to 1944. [6] Large numbers were delivered, primarily for training and other light aircraft. Amongst the more numerous were the Yokosuka K2Y2 Type 3, a derivative of the Avro 504N which was produced from 1929 to 1940, and the Yokosuka K4Y1 seaplane produced between 1933 and 1940, mainly by Watanabe.[7][8] In May 1939, Hitachi acquired Tokyo Gas and Electric Company, merging the aeronautical part of the business with Hitachi Aircraft.[9] The engine was rebranded Hitachi. Production totalled between 8,300 and 12,500 units.[2]

Variants
  • Jimpu 2 130–165 hp (97–123 kW)[10]
  • Jimpu 3 150–180 hp (112–134 kW)[11]
  • Jimpu 6 130–160 hp (97–119 kW)[12]

The Jimpu 5 or Tempu was a 9-cylinder derivative that produced between 240 and 280 hp (179 and 209 kW).[2][13] The Tempu became an important engine for the company, taking 53% of production in July 1944.[14]

Applications

Specifications

Data from Japanese Aero-Engines 1910–1945.

General characteristics

Components

Performance

  • Power output:
    • Take-off: 160 hp (119 kW) at 2,050 rpm at sea level
    • Cruise: 130 hp (97 kW) at 1,800 rpm at sea level
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See also

Related lists

References

Citations
  1. Sanger 2002, p. 155.
  2. Suzuki & et al 2008, p. 2405.
  3. Gunston 2006, p. 124.
  4. Ursinus 1941, p. 195.
  5. Wilkinson 1945, p. 349.
  6. Suzuki & et al 2008, p. 2404.
  7. Jackson & Jackson 2000, p. 119.
  8. Francillon 1970, p. 494.
  9. Iguchi 2003, pp. 176–177.
  10. Mikesh & Abe 1990, p. 277.
  11. Mikesh & Abe 1990, p. 89.
  12. Mikesh & Abe 1990, p. 254.
  13. Mikesh & Abe 1990, p. 92.
  14. D’Olier & et al 1947, p. 6.
  15. Mikesh & Abe 1990, p. 70.
  16. Jackson & Jackson 2000, p. 113.
  17. Mikesh & Abe 1990, p. 141.
  18. Mikesh & Abe 1990, p. 251.
  19. Mikesh & Abe 1990, p. 261.
  20. Mikesh & Abe 1990, p. 279.
  21. Mikesh & Abe 1990, p. 278.

Bibliography
  • D’Olier, Franklin; et al. (1947). Hitachi Aircraft Company (Hitachi Kokuki K.k.) Corporation Report No.VII. The United States Sytrategic Bombing Survey.
  • Francillon, René J. (1970). Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War. London: Putnam. ISBN 978-0-37000-033-6.
  • Goodwin, Mike; Starkings, Peter (2017). Japanese Aero-Engines 1910–1945. Sandomierz: Stratus. ISBN 978-8-36528-132-6.
  • Gunston, Bill (2006). Development of Piston Aero Engines. Sparkford: PSL Patrick Stephens. ISBN 978-0-75094-478-6.
  • Iguchi, Haruo (2003). Unfinished Business: Ayukawa Yoshisuke and U.S.-Japan Relations, 1937-1953. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. ISBN 978-0-67400-374-3.
  • Jackson, Aubrey Joseph; Jackson, Roger T. (2000). Avro Aircraft since 1908. London: Putnam. ISBN 978-0-85177-797-9.
  • Mikesh, Robert C.; Abe, Shorzoe (1990). Japanese Aircraft 1910-1941. London: Putnam. ISBN 978-0-851-77840-2.
  • Sanger, Ray (2002). Nieuport Aircraft of World War One. Marlborough: Crowood Press. ISBN 978-1-86126-447-3.
  • Suzuki, Takeshi; et al. (2008). "「ハ51型 」星型22シ リンダエンジンとガス電航空エンジンの系譜" [The Radial 22 Cylinder Engine "HA51" and Genealogic Survey of the Gas-Den Aero-Engine]. Transactions of the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers C (in Japanese). 74 (746): 2403–2410.
  • Ursinus, Oskar (1941). "Jap. Hitachi T-2 Schulfugzeug". Flugsport (in German). 33 (10): 195–196.
  • Wilkinson, Paul Howard (1945). Aircraft Engines of the World. New York: Paul H. Wilkinson.
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