Tachikawa Ki-70

Infobox Aircraft
name = Ki-70
type = Reconnaissance
manufacturer = Tachikawa
national origin =Japan
first flight = 1943
status = Prototype
number built = 3

History

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 fully entered production. The Ki-70 was the intended successor to the Mitsubishi Ki-46 but was difficult to handle besides being slower than the Mitsubishi Ki-46. The Ki-70 was first flown in 1943 but was found unfavorable and the program was scrapped. Three were built.

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.Fact|date=July 2008

Description

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

Specifications

aircraft specifications
plane or copter?=plane
jet or prop?=prop
crew=3
length main=14.5m
span main=17.8m
height main=3.46m
engine (prop)= 2 x Mitsubishi Ha-104M,1425kW
max speed main=580 km/h
cruise speed main=490 km/h
ceiling main=11000m
combat radius main=2480m
armament=
* 1x 12.7mm MG, 1x 7.7mm MG

ee also

aircontent
related=
similar aircraft=
* Mitsubishi Ki-46

References

Notes

Bibliography

* 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.)

External links

* [http://avia.russian.ee/air/japan/tachikawa_ki-70.html Two way view of the Ki-70]
* [http://www.daveswarbirds.com/Nippon/Japanese.html| Complete specifications for the Ki-70]