From 1937 Tachikawa produced a number of interesting designs which did not go into series production. The Tachikawa Ki-74 monoplane attracted official support. By 1941 the project had been confirmed as a long-range high-altitude bomber reconnaissance aircraft, and the first of the prototypes, powered by 1641kW turbocharged Ha-211-Ru radials, flew in March 1944.
Thirteen pre-production machines followed, powered by more reliable 1491kW Ha-104 Ru engines, giving a maximum speed of 570km/h at 8500m. They carried 1000kg of bombs and were defended by a single remotely-controlled 12.7mm machine-gun in the tail.
Although not used operationally, the Ki-74 received the Allied codename ’Pat’ when first identified, mistakenly, as a fighter. When it was discovered it was an experimental bomber, the name was feminised as ‘Patsy’.
Ki-74 Engines: 2 x Mitsubishi Ha-104-Ru, 1500kW Max take-off weight: 19400 kg / 42770 lb Empty weight: 10200 kg / 22487 lb Wingspan: 27 m / 89 ft 7 in Length: 17.65 m / 58 ft 11 in Height: 5.1 m / 17 ft 9 in Wing area: 80 sq.m / 861.11 sq ft Max. speed: 570 km/h / 354 mph Cruise speed: 400 km/h / 249 mph Ceiling: 12000 m / 39350 ft Range w/max.fuel: 8000 km / 4971 miles Armament: 1 x 12.7mm machine-guns, 1000kg of bombs Crew: 5
The Ki-70 was a twin-engined high-speed reconnaissance monoplane intended to replace the Ki-46. The first prototype flew in 1943. Built in prototype only, allied code name Clara was allocated as a result of identification in captured enemy documents. ‘Clara’ never appeared in any recognition manuals during the War for its appearance was a mystery until the Wat ended.
Ki-70 Engines: 2 x Mitsubishi Ha-104M, 1425kW Max take-off weight: 9855 kg / 21727 lb Empty weight: 5895 kg / 12996 lb Wingspan: 17.8 m / 58 ft 5 in Length: 14.5 m / 48 ft 7 in Height: 3.46 m / 11 ft 4 in Wing area: 43 sq.m / 462.85 sq ft Max. speed: 580 km/h / 360 mph Cruise speed: 490 km/h / 304 mph Ceiling: 11000 m / 36100 ft Range: 2480 km / 1541 miles Crew: 3 Armament: 1 x 12.7mm machine-guns, 1 x 7.7mm machine-guns
The Ki 54was a 1939 design by Ryokichi Endo of the Tachikawa Hikoki K K, as an advanced trainer/crew trainer, and made its first flight in mid 1940. It was a twin engined, low wing monoplane of all metal construction (except for the control surfaces, which were fabric covered) and had retractable landing gear. It was powered by two wing-mounted Hitachi Ha-13a radial engines. Successful testing led to the initial version intended primarily for pilot training, ordered during 1941 as the Army Type 1 Advanced Trainer Model A (Tachikawa Ki-54a).
The initial military version, which entered production in 1941, was the Ki 54a or Army Type 1 Advanced Trainer Model A. Both the prototype and the Ki 54a were powered by two 510 hp Hitachi Ha 13a nine cylinder radial engines, each driving a two blade variable pitch propeller. Intended for pilot training, the Ki 54a was built in fairly small numbers before being supplanted by the Model B (Ki 54b), the most widely used version. Both models could carry from five to nine occupants. In the case of the Ki 54b (a bomber crew trainer) there were four stations for gunnery trainees who could each operate a free 7.7 mm (0.303 in) Type 89 machine-gun. The installation was characterized by twin dorsal turrets, a distinctive recognition feature of the Ki 54b.
Its operating reliability and roomy fuselage made the Ki 54 an obvious candidate for light transport and communications duties, and these were the functions of the third production version, the Ki 54c, or Army Type 1 Transport Model C. It differed from the previous variants in being unarmed, and therefore having no turrets on the fuselage. The Ki 54c carried a flight crew of two and eight passengers. Production included about two dozen civil examples (designated Y 59), some of which were used in Manchuria.
A fourth model, the Ki 54d antisubmarine patrol version, or Type 1 Patrol Bomber Model D, could carry an offensive load of 480 kg (1060 lb) of depth charges, but was not built or used in great numbers. Three developed versions of the Ki 54 were not finished before the end of the war. Completion of the Ki 110 prototype a wooden construction version of the Ki 54 was prevented by US air attack. The Ki 114, a development of the Ki 110, and the projected Ki 111 flight-refuelling tanker development of the Ki 59 were never built.
The Ki 54 was the standard aircrew trainer of the Second World War for the pilots of multi-engined aircraft, navigators, bomb aimers, radio operators and air gunners. It. Between 1940 45, Tachikawa produced 1368 examples 1342 of them for the Japanese army air force in a variety of models, all of which were given the name Hickory under the Allied Pacific codename system.
Ki 54b Engines: 2 x Hitachi Ha-13a, 380kW Span: 17.9 m (58 ft 9 in) Length: 11.94 m (39 ft 2 in) Height: 3.58 m / 12 ft 9 in Wing area: 40 sq.m / 430.56 sq ft Empty weight: 2954 kg / 6512 lb Gross weight: 3897 kg (8590 lb) Maximum speed: 376 km/h (234 mph) Ceiling: 7180 m / 23550 ft Range: 960 km / 597 miles Crew: 2 Passengers: 8 Armament: 4 x 7.7mm machine-guns
In 1937 army air headquarters authorized the construction of two prototypes of a two seat army cooperation aircraft developed by Ryokichi Endo’s design team from Tachikawa Hikoki K K (Tachikawa Aircraft Company).
The first of two prototypes was flown on 20 April 1938 flew from Tachikawa airfield, the Tachikawa Ki-36 was a cantilever low-wing monoplane of all-metal basic structure, covered by a mix of light alloy and fabric. Landing gear was of fixed tailwheel type, the main units enclosed in speed fairings, and power was provided by a 336kW (450-hp) Hitachi Ha-13 radial engine. The two-man crew was enclosed by a long ‘greenhouse’ canopy and both men had good fields of view, that of the observer being improved by clear-view panels in the floor.
The aircraft was very sensitive to the controls and fully satisfied the army, although later production aircraft incorporated a 2′ wing washout to counter a tendency to stall which had become apparent during very tight manoeuvring.
Ki-36
The type was ordered into production in November 1938 as the Army Type 98 Direct Co- Operation Plane. Generally similar to the prototypes, the type was armed with two 7.7mm (0.303-in) Type 89 machine guns, one in the engine cowling synchronized to fire through the propeller, and the other on a flexible mounting operated by the observer, and introduced the more powerful Hitachi Ha-13a engine. Up to 150 kg (330 lb) of bombs were carried on underwing racks. In 1939 Kawasaki joined the production programme.
Ki-36
When construction ended in January 1944, a total of 1,334 had been built by Tachikawa (862) and Kawasaki (472).
The handling characteristics and reliability of the Ki-36 made the army realize that it was ideal for use as an advanced trainer, resulting in development of the Ki-55, intended specifically for this role and having armament reduced to a single forward-firing machine-gun. Following the testing of a prototype in September 1939, the army ordered this aircraft as the Army Type 99 Advanced Trainer; when production was terminated in December 1943 a total of 1,389 had been built by Tachikawa (1,078) and Kawasaki (311).
Tachikawa Ki-55
Both versions were allocated the Allied codename ‘Ida’, and the Ki-36 was first deployed with considerable success in China. However, when con¬fronted by Allied fighters at the begin¬ning of the Pacific War it was found to be too vulnerable, being redeployed in China where it was less likely to be confronted by such aircraft.
Ki 36s were employed against the Allies from December 1941, but were withdrawn from 1943 onwards, in which role, with wheel spats removed and necessary equipment modifications, they were very successful, so much so that production as the Army Type 99 Advanced Trainer or Ki 55 was initiated by both Tachikawa and Kawasaki. . In the closing months of the war, many examples of both versions were pressed into service as suicide bombers carrying a 250 kg (550 1b) or 500 kg (1100 lb) bomb. Allied name for all models was Ida.
Twenty-four Ki-55 served with the RTAF throughout the period of Japanese ascendancy and the immediate post war period. One survives.
Ki-36 Engine: one 380-kW (510-hp) Hitachi Ha- l3a radial Maximum speed 348 km/h (216 mph) at 1800 m(5905 ft) Cruising speed 235 km/h (146 mph) Service ceiling: 8l50 m (26740 ft) Range 1235 km (767 miles) Empty weight 1247 kg (2749 lb) Maximum take-off 1660 kg (3,660 lb) Wing span 11.80 m (38 ft 8.6 in) Length 8.00 m (25 ft 3 in) Height 3.64 m (11 ft 11.3 in) Wing area 20.00 sq.m (215.29 sq.ft) Armament: two 7.7-mm (0.303-in) machine-guns Bombload: 150 kg (331 lb) Crew: 2
Ki-55 Engine: 1 x Hitachi Ha-13a, 380kW Span: 11.8 m (38 ft 9 in) Length: 8 m (26 ft 3 in) Height 3.64 m (11 ft 11.3 in) Wing area 20.00 sq.m (215.29 sq.ft) Empty weight: 1292 kg / 2848 lb Gross weight: 1721 kg (3794 lb) Maximum speed: 348 km/h (216 mph). Cruising speed 235 km/h (146 mph) Ceiling: 8200 m / 26900 ft Range: 1060 km / 659 miles Crew: 2
The third prototype of the Ki 9, intended as a primary trainer, was flown in early 1935 but exhibited poor handling qualities because of its smaller, lighter engine and the consequent displacement of the centre of gravity. The Ki 9 was therefore abandoned as a primary trainer, and the army air force asked Tachikawa to produce, later that year, two prototypes of a new primary trainer biplane, the Ki 17.
The Tachikawa Ki-17 biplane had a slimmer fuselage, more square-cut equal-span wings and a redesigned tailplane, engine uncowled and a simplified landing gear.
The first of two prototypes was flown in July 1935 powered by a 150 hp Hitachi Ha 12 seven¬ cylinder radial engine driving a two blade propeller. Trials were successful and the only major change made to subsequent production aircraft was the deletion of the upperwing ailerons to eliminate oversensitive control inputs.
Between 1936 and 1943 Tachikawa completed 658 series Ki-17s and the type was used at four major flying schools and the Army Air Academy. The Ki-17 bore the official designation Army Type 95 III Primary Trainer, Allied codename ‘Cedar’. Some Ki 17s were later transferred to liaison or communications duties.
Ki-17 Engine: 1 x Hitachi Ha-12, 112kW Max take-off weight: 914 kg / 2015 lb Loaded weight: 639 kg / 1409 lb Wingspan: 9.82 m / 32 ft 3 in Length: 7.85 m / 26 ft 9 in Height: 2.95 m / 10 ft 8 in Wing area: 26.2 sq.m / 282.01 sq ft Max. speed: 170 km/h / 106 mph Ceiling: 5300 m / 17400 ft Crew: 2
The Ki 9 had been designed in 1934 by Ryokichi Endo to satisfy a Japanese army air force requirement for a primary and intermediate trainer, capable in the latter case of 220 km/h (137 mph) and an endurance of 3½ hours.
First flown on January 7, 1935, the first and second prototypes were each powered by a 350 hp / 261kW Hitachi Ha 13a nine cylinder radial engine; the third aircraft, prototype for the primary trainer version, had a lower powered Nakajima NZ seven cylinder radial engine of 150 hp / 112kW.
Tests indicated centre of gravity problems for the proposed primary trainer and the Ki-9 was developed in the higher-powered intermediate training role only. As Tachikawa had suggested, the army air force found that one aircraft could not successfully carry out both duties, and accordingly the Ki 9 was ordered into production in 1935 only as the Type 95 1 Medium Grade (intermediate) Trainer.
Production deliveries began in 1935. Designated the Army Type 95-1 Medium Grade Trainer Model A and later given the Allied codename ‘Spruce’, the Tachikawa biplane had complex split-axle landing gear with fairings over the top of the wheels. In 1939 this was modified and simplified, the fuselage slightly shortened and all-up weight reduced. The resulting Army Type 95-1 Model B or Ki-9 Kai had improved manoeuvrability and flight characteristics. Both versions were used widely for blind-flying training with a folding hood over the rear cockpit, and at least one was modified with a glazed canopy over the rear cockpit for use as a staff officer transport.
Production by Tachikawa ended in 1942 after completing 2395 (in addition to the three prototypes), but in 1944 45 a further 220 were manufactured by the Tokyo Koku K.K.
It served with the army air force throughout the remainder of the 1930s and until the end of the Second World War. Some Ki 9s were used for reconnaissance or communications duties, and the type also served with the air forces of Cochin China, Manchuria and Thailand during the Pacific war. After the war, captured examples were employed for a time by the insurrectionist Indonesian forces.
The Ki-9 received the allied code name ‘Spruce’.
Ki-9 Model A Engine: 1 x Hitachi Ha-13a, 261kW Max take-off weight: 1580 kg / 3483 lb Loaded weight: 1120 kg / 2469 lb Wingspan: 10.32 m / 33 ft 10 in Length: 7.52 m / 24 ft 8 in Height: 3.1 m / 10 ft 2 in Max. speed: 240 km/h / 149 mph Ceiling: 5800 m / 19050 ft Crew: 2
The SR-5 features a counter-balanced crankshaft, two piece, of nickel chrome steel SAE 3140, 1 25/32 inch in diameter.
The cylinders are of close-grained nickel cast iron with the head cast integral.
Equipment suppied was carburetter, magnetos, propeller hub, oil pump, spark plugs, and wires.
A starter was available at extra cost.
Type: 5 cylinder static radial L head Rating: 70 hp at 1800 rpm Displacement: 315 cu.in Compression ratio: 4.8-1 Bore: 4 1/8 in Stroke: 4 3/4 in Diameter: 31 in Weight: 186 lb complete Fuel consumption: not more than .60 lb/hp/hr Oil consumption: not more than .016 lb/hp/hr Lubrication: Gear type oil and scavenger pumps Ignition: Dual Scintilla magneto Carburation: Stromberg, 1 ½ balanced Spark plugs: 2 per cylinder B.G.
The SR-3 was specially designed for compactness and light weight. The counter-balanced crankshaft is two piece, of nickel chrome stell SAE 3140. 1 37/64 inch in diameter.
The cylinders are of close-grained nickel cast iron with the head cast integral.
Equipment suppied was carburetter, magnetos, propeller hub, oil pump, spark plugs, and wires.
A starter was available at extra cost.
Type: 3 cylinder static radial, L Head, air cooled Rating: 40 hp at 1800 rpm Displacement: 190 cu.in Compression ratio: 4.8 Bore: 4 1/8 in Stroke: 4 3/4 in Diameter: 29 1/2 in Weight: 117 lb dry / 142 lb complete Fuel consumption: not more than .60 lb/hp/hr Oil consumption: not more than .016 lb/hp/hr Lubrication: Gear type oil and scavenger pumps Ignition: Dual Scintilla magneto Carburation: Stromberg, 1 ½ balanced Spark plugs: 2 per cylinder
In 1930, at Holland, Michigan, Szekely Corp made small single-seat low-wing cantilever monoplane called Flying Dutchman.
Priced at $2,200, three were built, registered NX4448, N9455, and N910.
An open cockpit, low wing monoplane powered by a 150hp Hisso A, one was built for W C Williams of San Antonio TX (N910). It crashed in October 1927 as a reported “total washout.”
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