Tachikawa Ki-70

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Tachikawa Ki.70 "CLARA"
Type	Command reconnaissance
Manufacturer	Tachikawa

Contents 1 History 2 Description 3 External links 4 Specifications 5 Related Content

[edit] History

The Tachikawa Ki-70 "CLARA" was a high speed photo reconnaissance aircraft that was tested for the Japanese Air Force in prototype form but never fully entered production. The Ki-70 was the intended successor to the Mitsubishi Ki-46 but was extremely difficult to handle besides being slower than the Mitsubishi Ki-46. The Ki-70 was first flown in 1943 but was found unfavorable and the program was scraped. Three were built.

In latter years the Ki-70 was used to disprove supposed photographic evedince concerning Amelia Earhart's supposed capture by the Japanese before World War II.

[edit] Description

Using the familiar layout of aircraft such as the G3M bomber and its planned predessor the Mitsubishi Ki-46 the Ki-70 had a twin tailed arrangement with a very narrow fuselage. The aircraft had an extensively glazed nose and second cockpit facing back for the gunner.

[edit] External links

• Two way view of the Ki-70
• Complete specifications for the Ki-70

[edit] Specifications

General characteristics

• Crew: 3
• Length: 14.5m ()
• Wingspan: 17.8m ()
• Height: 3.46m ()
• Powerplant: × 2 x Mitsubishi Ha-104M,1425kW , () each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 580 km/h
• Cruise speed: 490 km/h
• Combat radius: 2480m ()
• Service ceiling: 11000m ()

Armament

• 1x 12.7mm MG, 1x 7.7mm MG

[edit] Related Content

Related development

• Mitsubishi Ki-46

Comparable aircraft

• Mitsubishi Ki-46

Designation sequence

• Ki-67 Hiryu - Ki-70