Kawasaki Ki-10

Ki-10
Ki-10 Model 1
Role Biplane fighter
Manufacturer Kawasaki Kōkūki Kōgyō K.K.
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, Army Type 95 Fighter) was the last biplane fighter used by the Imperial Japanese Army, entering service in 1935. Built by Kawasaki Kōkūki Kōgyō K.K. 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 Ha9-IIa 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 Union, 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]

Total production: 588 units[3]

Operators

 Japan

Specifications (Ki-10-II)

Data from Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War[3]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

References

Notes
  1. 1 2 Francillon 1979, p. 86.
  2. ↑ Francillon 1979, p. 87.
  3. 1 2 3 4 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. 
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