Jump to content

Kawasaki Ki-10

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Sankure (talk | contribs) at 16:11, 22 June 2014. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Ki 10
Ki 10-I
Role Biplane fighter
Manufacturer Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Designer Takeo Doi
First flight March 1935
Introduction 1935
Retired 1942
Primary user IJA Air Force
Number built 588

The Kawasaki Ki 10 (九五式戦闘機, Kyūgo-shiki sentōki, Type 95 Fighter) was the last biplane fighter used by the Imperial Japanese Army, entering service in 1935. Built by Kawasaki Kōkūki Kōgyō KK for the Imperial Japanese Army, it saw combat service in Manchukuo and in north China during the early stages of the Second Sino-Japanese War. Its reporting name given by the Allies was "Perry".

Design and development

Kawasaki Ki 10-II Kai prototype

The Ki 10 was designed by Japanese aeronautical engineer Takeo Doi,[1] who had succeeded Richard Vogt as chief designer for Kawasaki. The design was in response to a requirement issued by the Imperial Japanese Army for a new fighter, and was the winner of a competition against Nakajima's Ki 11. Although the low-wing monoplane offered by Nakajima was more advanced, the Army preferred the more maneuverable biplane offered by Kawasaki. In order to overcome the speed disadvantage the Kawasaki team used a metal three-blade propeller in the third prototype, while flush-head rivets were used in an attempt to reduce drag.[2]

The Kawasaki design had sesquiplane (unequal-span) wings, braced by struts, and with upper-wing ailerons.[1] The structure was of all-metal construction, which was then fabric-covered. Armament consisted of two 7.7 mm (.303 in) Type 89 machine guns, synchronized to fire through the propeller. The initial production version was powered by a liquid-cooled 633 kW (850 hp) Kawasaki Ha 9-II Ko V-12.

Operations

The Ki 10 was deployed in Manchukuo (Manchuria) and in the initial campaigns of the Second Sino-Japanese War in northern China. It proved an excellent dogfighter against the Chinese air force, including those active at the Battle of Wuhan. However, by the time of the Nomonhan Incident (Battles of Khalkhin Gol) in 1939, against the forces of Soviet Russia, it was largely obsolete.

At the beginning of the Pacific War, the Ki 10 was retired to training and secondary missions, but later returned to front-line service, performing short-range patrol and reconnaissance missions in Japan proper and China in January–February, 1942.

Variants

Another picture of the Kawasaki Ki 10-II Kai prototype

data from Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War[3]

  • Ki 10 : Prototype for Imperial Japanese Army Air Force (4 built in early 1935).
  • Ki 10-I (Type 95 Fighter Model 1): Initial production version (300 built December 1935 - October 1937)
  • Ki 10-II : Prototype of modified Model 1, increased in length (1 built May 1936)
  • Ki 10-II (Type 95 Fighter Model 2): Improved production version (280 built June 1937 - December 1938)
  • Ki 10-I Kai : Prototype Ki 10-I with modifications to engine and radiator (1 built October 1936)
  • Ki 10-II Kai : Prototype - Aerodynamic modification of Ki 10-II, now designated Ki 10-I Kai, with 634 kW (850 hp) Kawasaki Ha 9-II Otsu engine (2 built November 1937)

Total production: 588 units[3]

Operators

 Japan
  • Imperial Japanese Army Air Force[3]
    • 1st Rentai IJAAF
    • 4th Rentai IJAAF
    • 5th Rentai IJAAF
    • 6th Rentai IJAAF
    • 8th Rentai IJAAF
    • 11th Rentai IJAAF
    • 13th Rentai IJAAF
    • 4th Sentai IJAAF
    • 9th Sentai IJAAF
    • 33rd Sentai IJAAF
    • 59th Sentai IJAAF
    • 64th Sentai IJAAF
    • 77th Sentai IJAAF
    • Akeno Fighter Training School

Specifications (Ki 10-II)

Data from Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War[3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one, pilot

Performance Armament

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

Notes
  1. ^ a b Francillon 1979, p. 86.
  2. ^ Francillon 1979, p. 87.
  3. ^ a b c d Francillon 1979, p. 89.
Bibliography
  • Francillon, Ph.D., René J. (1979). Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War. London: Putnam & Company Ltd. ISBN 0-370-30251-6.
  • Green, William; Gordon Swanborough (1990). The Complete Book of Fighters. London: Greenwich Editions. ISBN 0-86288-220-6.
  • Mikesh, Robert C.; Shorzoe Abe (1990). Japanese Aircraft, 1910-1941. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-563-2.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kawasaki Ki-10.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kawasaki_Ki-10&oldid=613966838"