Kawasaki Type 92
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| KDA-5 (Type 92) | |
|---|---|
| Type | Single-seat biplane fighter |
| Manufacturer | Kawasaki |
| Designed by | Richard Vogt of Dornier |
| Maiden 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.
[edit] 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.[1] The aircraft had unequal span wings and a fixed tailwheel landing gear and was powered by a 630 hp (470 kW) 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.[1]
[edit] Operational history
Both versions saw action with the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force in Manchuria, although it proved unpopular owing to its unstable take-off and landing behaviour and being difficult to maintain, particularly in cold weather.[1] A few were still in service in 1941 as trainers.
[edit] 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 (750 hp) BMW VII engine, 200 built.
[edit] Operators
[edit] Specifications (92-I)
Data from The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft[2], The Complete Book of Fighters [3]
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 (3747 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × BMW VI, 470 kW (630 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 320 km/h (199 mph)
- Range: 850 km (528 miles)
Armament
- 2 x 7.7mm (0.303in) machine-gun (synchronised)
[edit] References
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b c Abe and Mikesh 1990, p.153.
- ^ The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing, 2238.
- ^ Green, W; Swanborough, G (1994). The Complete Book of Fighters. Smithmark, Page 315-316. ISBN 0-8317-3939-8.
[edit] Bibliography
- Mikesh, Robert C; Abe, Shorzoe (1990). Japanese Aircraft 1910-1941. London: Putnam Aeronautical Books. ISBN 0 85177 840 2.
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