Kawasaki Ki-64

The Kawasaki Ki-64 (Allied code name: Rob) was a one-off prototype of an experimental heavy, single seat, fighter. It had two unusual design features. First; it had two Kawasaki Ha-40 engines in tandem; one in the aircraft nose, the other behind the cockpit, both being connected by a drive shaft. This combination (called the Kawasaki Ha-201) drove two, three-bladed, contra-rotating propellors.[1][2] The second feature was the use of the wing surface as a radiator for the water-cooled engines.[3] The aircraft first flew in December 1943. During the fifth flight, the rear engine caught fire; and while the aircraft made an emergency landing, it was damaged. The aircraft was subsequently abandoned in mid-1944 in favour of more promising projects. The airframe survived the war, and parts of the unique cooling system were sent to Wright Field for examination.[4]

Ki-64
Role Fighter
Manufacturer Kawasaki Kōkūki Kōgyō K.K.
First flight December 1943
Status Cancelled 1944
Primary user Imperial Japanese Army
Number built 1

Specifications (Ki-64)

Data from Warplanes of the Second World War, Volume Three: Fighters;[5] WW2 Aircraft Fact Files: Japanese Army Fighters, Part 1;[4] Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War[6]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1 (pilot)
  • Length: 11 m (36 ft 1 in)
  • Wingspan: 13.5 m (44 ft 3 in)
  • Height: 4.25 m (13 ft 11 in)
  • Wing area: 28 m2 (300 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 4,050 kg (8,929 lb)
  • Gross weight: 5,100 kg (11,244 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Kawasaki Ha-201 coupled liquid-cooled V12 engine, 1,750 kW (2,350 hp)
  • Propellers: 2 × 3-bladed contra-rotating propellers

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 690 km/h (430 mph, 370 kn) at 5,000 metres (16,000 ft)
  • Range: 1,000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 12,000 m (39,000 ft)
  • Time to altitude: 5.5 minutes to 5,000 metres (16,000 ft)
  • Wing loading: 182.1 kg/m2 (37.3 lb/sq ft)
  • Power/mass: 2.91 kg/kW (2.17 kg/hp; 4.78 lb/hp)

Armament

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

Related lists

References

Citations
  1. FAOW 76 1976, pp. 17–18; 46–47.
  2. Green and Swanborough 1976, p. 35.
  3. Green and Swanborough 1976, p. 34.
  4. Green and Swanborough 1976, p. 36.
  5. Green 1973, p. 26.
  6. Francillon 1979, p. 122.

Bibliography
  • Francillon, Ph.D., René J. Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War. London: Putnam & Company Ltd., 1970 (2nd edition 1979). ISBN 0-370-30251-6.
  • Green, William. Warplanes of the Second World War, Volume Three: Fighters. London: Macdonald & Co. (Publishers) Ltd., 1961 (seventh impression 1973). ISBN 0-356-01447-9.
  • Green, William and Swanborough, Gordon. WW2 Aircraft Fact Files: Japanese Army Fighters, Part 1. London: Macdonald and Jane's, 1976. ISBN 0-356-08224-5.
  • Unknown Author(s). Famous Aircraft of the World, no.76: Japanese Army Experimental Fighters (1). Tokyo, Japan: Bunrin-Do Co. Ltd., August 1976.
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