Kawasaki Ki-88

The Kawasaki Ki-88 was a proposed Japanese World War II fighter aircraft intended for use by the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force. Its anticipated performance was disappointing, and only a mock-up was completed.[1]

Ki-88
The mock-up of the Kawasaki Ki-88 in 1943.
Role Fighter aircraft
Manufacturer Kawasaki Kōkūki Kōgyō K.K.
Primary user Imperial Japanese Army Air Force (intended)
Number built None

Design and development

Faced with delays in development of the Kawasaki Ki-64 fighter, the Imperial Japanese Army was open in 1942 to alternative fighter designs that might reach combat units more quickly.[2] Kawasaki proposed the Ki-88, a design inspired by the Bell P-39 Airacobra fighter then in service with the United States Army Air Forces.[1]

Kawasaki began design work on the Ki-88 in August 1942. The Ki-88 was to have a 1,117-kW (1,500-hp) Kawasaki Ha-140 engine behind its cockpit, driving a tractor propeller through an extension shaft. It was to mount a 37-mm cannon in its propeller shaft and two 20-mm cannon in its lower nose.[1]

When design work had progressed far enough to allow it, Kawasaki built a full-scale mock-up of the Ki-88, which bore a strong resemblance to the P-39. After inspection of the mockup, the Japanese calculated a maximum speed for the aircraft of 600 km/hr (373 mph) at an altitude of 6,000 m (19,685 feet). This was only slightly faster than the Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien fighter, which already was in production. As a result, Kawasaki discontinued design work on the Ki-88 less than a year after beginning it.[1]

Specifications

Data from Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 10.2 m (33 ft 6 in)
  • Wingspan: 12.4 m (40 ft 8 in)
  • Height: 4.15 m (13 ft 7 in)
  • Gross weight: 3,900 kg (8,598 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Kawasaki Ha-140 18-cyl. liquid-cooled piston engine, 1,120 kW (1,500 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 600 km/h (370 mph, 320 kn) at 6,000 m (19,685 ft)
  • Range: 1,200 km (750 mi, 650 nmi)

Armament

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See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

Related lists

References

Notes
  1. Francillon, Rene J. (1979). Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. p. 483. ISBN 0-87021-313-X.
  2. "en.valka.cz Kawasaki Ki-88". Archived from the original on 2013-10-20. Retrieved 2020-02-14.

Bibliography
  • Francillon, Rene J. (1979). Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. p. 483. ISBN 0-87021-313-X.
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