Tachikawa Ki-70

The Tachikawa Ki-70 "Clara" was a high speed photo reconnaissance aircraft that was tested for the Japanese Air Force in prototype form but never entered production. The Ki-70 was the intended successor to the Mitsubishi Ki-46 but was difficult to handle and was slower than the Mitsubishi Ki-46. The Ki-70 was first flown in 1943 but was found unsatisfactory and the program was terminated. Three aircraft were built.

Ki-70
Role Reconnaissance
National origin Japan
Manufacturer Tachikawa
First flight 1943
Status Prototype
Number built 3

History

In later years the Ki-70 was used to disprove supposed photographic evidence concerning Amelia Earhart's supposed capture by the Japanese before World War II.

Description

Using the familiar layout of aircraft such as the Mitsubishi G3M bomber and its planned predecessor the Mitsubishi Ki-46, the Ki-70 had a twin tail and narrow fuselage, an extensively glazed nose and second cockpit facing aft for the gunner.

Specifications (Ha-104M engine)

(Performance estimated)

Data from Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 3
  • Length: 14.5 m (47 ft 7 in)
  • Wingspan: 17.8 m (58 ft 5 in)
  • Height: 3.46 m (11 ft 4 in)
  • Wing area: 43 m2 (460 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 5,895 kg (12,996 lb)
  • Gross weight: 9,855 kg (21,727 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 10,700 kg (23,589 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Mitsubishi Ha-104M (Army Type 4 1,900hp Air Cooled Radial) 18-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 1,400 kW (1,900 hp) each for take-off
1,350 kW (1,810 hp) at 2,200 m (7,218 ft)
1,201 kW (1,610 hp) at 6,100 m (20,013 ft)
  • Propellers: 4-bladed constant-speed metal propellers

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 647 km/h (402 mph, 349 kn) at 5,400 m (17,717 ft)
  • Cruise speed: 490 km/h (300 mph, 260 kn) at 5,400 m (17,717 ft)
  • Range: 2,480 km (1,540 mi, 1,340 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 11,000 m (36,000 ft)
  • Time to altitude: 5,000 m (16,404 ft) in 5 minutes
  • Wing loading: 229.2 kg/m2 (46.9 lb/sq ft)
  • Power/mass: 0.2884 kW/kg (0.1754 hp/lb)

Armament

  • Guns: 1x 12.7 mm (0.500 in) MG, 1x 7.7 mm (0.303 in) MG

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

References

Notes
  1. Francillon, René J. (1979). Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War. London: Putnam & Company Limited. pp. 257–258. ISBN 0 370 30251 6.

Bibliography
  • Francillon, Réne J. Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War. London: Putnam, 1970. ISBN 0-370-00033-1.
  • Francillon, René J. Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War. London: Putnam Aeronautical, 1979. ISBN 0-370-30251-6. (new edition 1987. ISBN 0-85177-801-1.)
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