Kawasaki Ki-102

Picture - Kawasaki Ki-102b assault plane Model b

Role: Fighter
National origin: Japan
Manufacturer: Kawasaki Aircraft Engineering
First flight: 1944
Introduction: 1944
Retired: 1945
Primary user: Imperial Japanese Army Air Force
Number built: 238
Developed from: Kawasaki Ki-96

The Kawasaki Ki-102 (Army Type 4 Assault Aircraft) was a Japanese warplane of World War II. It was a twin-engine, two-seat, long-range heavy fighter developed to replace the Ki-45 Toryu. Three versions were planned: the Ki-102a day fighter, Ki-102b ground-attack and Ki-102c night fighter. This aircraft's Allied reporting name was "Randy".

Design and history

It entered service in 1944, but saw limited action. The main type (102b) was kept in reserve to protect Japan, although it did see some limited duty in the Okinawa campaign. It was kept out of front line service because it was hoped that it would be the carrier of the Igo-1-B air-to-ground guided missile when the Allied invasion of Japan occurred.

Versions

Ki-102 prototypes, 3 built Ki-102a (Type Kō) Externally similar to the 102b, but with turbosuperchargers that enabled the engine to maintain its rating at higher altitudes. 57 mm (2.24 in) cannon was swapped in favor of a 37 mm (1.46 in) cannon, and the 12.7 mm (.50 in) rear gun was deleted, 26 built. Ki-102b (Type Otu) Ground-attack variant similar to prototypes, except with revised tail wheel, 207 built. Ki-102c (Type Hei) Night Fighter version with lengthened fuselage and span. Radar under a Plexiglas dome, oblique-firing 20 mm cannons, and the 20 mm cannons in the belly replaced with 30 mm (1.18 in) cannons completed the package, 2 built. Ki-108 High-altitude fighter prototype with pressurised cabin, two conversions from Ki-102b aircraft using the structural improvements used on the 102c.

Specifications (Ki-102b)

Data from Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War

General characteristics

Crew: 2
Length: 37 ft 7 in (11.45 m)
Wingspan: 51 ft 1 in (15.57 m)
Height: 12 ft 2 in (3.70 m)
Wing area: 366 ft� (34 m�)
Empty weight: 10,900 lb (4,950 kg)
Loaded weight: 16,000 lb (7,300 kg)
Powerplant: 2x� Mitsubishi Ha-112-II Ru 14-cylinder radial engine, 1,500 hp (1,120 kW) each

Performance

Maximum speed: 310 kn, 360 mph (580 km/h)
Range: 1,100 nmi, 1,200 mi (2,000 km)
Service ceiling: 33,000 ft (10,000 m)
Power/mass: 2.4 kg/kW (5.4 lb/hp)

Armament

Guns: * 1x� 57 mm (2.24 in) Ho-401 cannon~replaced in the 102a with a 37 mm (1.46 in) cannon, deleted in the 102c
2x� 20 mm Ho-5 cannon~replaced in the 102c with 30 mm (1.18 in) cannons
1x� 12.7 mm (0.50 in) Ho-103 machine gun~deleted in the 102a and 102c
Bombs: 2 x� 200 L (53 US gal) drop tanks or 2 x� 250 kg (551 lb) bombs

Related development

Kawasaki Ki-96

Bibliography

Francillon, Ph.D., Ren� J. Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War. London: Putnam and Company Ltd., 1979. ISBN 0-370-30251-6.
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.
Green, William and Swanborough, Gordon. WW2 Aircraft Fact Files: Japanese Army Fighters, Part 1. London: Macdonald and Jane's, 1976. ISBN 0-356-08224-5.

Living Warbirds: The best warbirds DVD series.

Source: WikiPedia