Kawasaki Army Type 92 Model 1 Fighter

Role: Single-seat biplane fighter
Manufacturer: Kawasaki
Designed by: Richard Vogt of Dornier
First flight: 1930
Introduced: 1932
Primary user: Imperial Japanese Army Air Force
Number built: 385

The Kawasaki KDA-5 was a Japanese single-seat biplane fighter designed by the German Dr. Richard Vogt for the Imperial Japanese Army.

Development

The KDA-5 was designed by Richard Vogt to meet a Japanese Army requirement for a fighter biplane. Five prototypes were built by Kawasaki and first flown in 1930. Following testing, the aircraft was ordered into production in 1932 as the Army Type 92 Model 1 Fighter. The aircraft had unequal-span sesquiplane wings and fixed tailwheel landing gear and was powered by a 470 kW (630 hp) BMW VI engine. After 180 aircraft were built, production continued with a structurally strengthened and more powerful Type 92 Model 2. A further 200 Model 2s were built.

Operational history

Both versions saw action with the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force in Manchukuo (Manchuria), although it proved unpopular owing to its unstable take-off and landing behaviour and being difficult to maintain, particularly in cold weather. A few were still in service in 1941 as trainers.

Variants

KDA-5 Five prototypes. Type 92 Model 1 Fighter Initial production variant with changed fin and rudder and faired headrest, 180 built. Type 92 Model 2 Fighter Improved version with structural strengthing and more powerful ( kW/750 hp) BMW VII engine, 200 built.

Operators

Japan

Imperial Japanese Army Air Force

Specifications (92-I)

Data from The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft, The Complete Book of Fighters

General characteristics

Crew: 1
Length: 7.05 m (23 ft 1½ in)
Wingspan: 9.55 m (31 ft 4 in)
Height: 3.10 m (10 ft 2 in)
Wing area: 24.0 m² (258 ft²)
Empty weight: 1,280 kg (2,822 lb)
Gross weight: 1,700 kg (3,747 lb)
Powerplant: 1 x— BMW VI, 470 kW (630 hp)

Performance

Maximum speed: 320 km/h (199 mph)
Range: 850 km (528 miles)

Armament

2 x— 7.7 mm (0.303 in) machine guns (synchronised)

Bibliography

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.
Green, William; Gordon Swanborough (1994). The Complete Book of Fighters. Smithmark. ISBN 0-8317-3939-8.
Mikesh, Robert C; Shorzoe Abe (1990). Japanese Aircraft, 1910-1941. London: Putnam Aeronautical Books. ISBN 0-85177-840-2.

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Source: WikiPedia