Kawasaki Ki-96

Infobox Aircraft
name = Ki-96


caption =
type = Heavy Fighter
national origin = Japan
manufacturer = Kawasaki
designer =
first flight = September 1943
introduction =
retired =
status =
primary user =
more users =
produced =
number built = 3
program cost =
unit cost =
developed from = Kawasaki Ki-45
variants with their own articles = Kawasaki Ki-102

The Kawasaki Ki-96 was a twin engined Japanese heavy fighter of World War II. Intended to replace the Kawasaki Ki-45s of the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force, it was not adopted, manufacture not proceeding past the prototype stage.

Design and development

The success of the Ki-45 Toryu led Kawasaki to start development of an evolved version. An order was placed for three prototypes of the new fighter, designated Ki-96, with consruction starting in August 1942. Green 1961, p.27.] Like the Ki-45, the proposed design was a two-seat, twin engined fighter, but larger and using more powerful engines. In December 1942, however, the Army revised its requirements, ordering the prototypes to be revised to single seat fighters. The first prototype, which was converted while being produced and which retained the larger cockpit canopy intended for the two seater, flew in September 1943. The two remaining prototypes were built from the start as single-seaters and were fitted with a smaller canopy. Francillion 1970, p.127.]

Despite demonstating performance exceeding estimates and excellent handling, the Army's requirements had changed back to a two seat fighter, so further development of the Ki-96 was stopped. The wings and tail unit of the Ki-96 would however form part of the structure of the Kawasaki Ki-102 two seat fighter. Francillion 1970, p.128.]

pecifications (Kawasaki Ki-96)

aircraft specifications

plane or copter?= plane
jet or prop?= prop

ref=War Planes of the Second World War - Fighters - Vol. 3 Green 1961,p.28.]

crew=1
capacity=
length main= 11.45m
length alt= 37 ft 6¾ in
span main= 15.57 m
span alt= 51ft 1 in
height main= 3.7 m
height alt= 12ft 1⅝ in
area main= 34 m²
area alt= 366 ft²
airfoil=
empty weight main= 4,550 kg
empty weight alt= 10,031 lb
loaded weight main= 6,000 kg
loaded weight alt= 13,228 lb
useful load main=
useful load alt=
max takeoff weight main=
max takeoff weight alt=
more general=

engine (prop)=Mitsubishi Ha112-II
type of prop=14-cylinder air-cooled radial
number of props=2
power main= 1,125 kW
power alt= 1,500 hp
power original=

max speed main= 600 km/h
max speed alt= 373 mph, 324 knots
max speed more= at 6,000 m (19,700 ft)
cruise speed main=
cruise speed alt=
stall speed main=
stall speed alt=
range main= 1,600km
range alt= 994 mi, 864 NM
ceiling main= 11,500 m
ceiling alt= 37,730 ft
climb rate main=
climb rate alt=
loading main= 176 kg/m²
loading alt= 36.1 lb/ft²
thrust/weight=
power/mass main= 0.38 kW/kg
power/mass alt= 0.22 hp/lb
more performance=*Climb to 5,000 m (16,400 ft): 6 min

guns=1x37-mm Ho-203 cannon, 2x20-mm Ho-5 cannon.

avionics=

ee also

aircontent
see also=

related=
*Kawasaki Ki-45
*Kawasaki Ki-102

similar aircraft=

lists=

References

Notes

Bibliography

* Francillion, R. J. "Japanese Aircraft of the Second World War". London: Putnam, 1970. ISBN 0 370 00033 1.
* 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.

External links

* [http://www.century-of-flight.freeola.com/Aviation%20history/photo_albums/timeline/ww2/Kawasaki%20%20Ki%2096.htm Century of Flight: Kawasaki Ki-96]