Nakajima Ki-4
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| Ki-4 | |
|---|---|
 Nakajima Ki-4 |
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| Type | Reconnaissance, Light Ground Attack, Trainer, Target Tug |
| Manufacturer | Nakajima Aircraft Company |
| Maiden flight | 1933 |
| Introduced | 1934 |
| Retired | 1943 |
| Primary users | IJA Air Force Manchukuo Air Force |
| Produced | 383 |
The Nakajima Ki-4 (九四式偵察機 Kyūyon-shiki teisatsuki?) was the last biplane reconnaissance aircraft of the Japanese Imperial Army. It saw combat service in Manchukuo and in north China during the early stages of the Second Sino-Japanese War.
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[edit] Design & Development
The Ki-4 was initially produced by Nakajima in response to a 1931 specification for a high performance reconnaissance aircraft that could also be used in the light ground support role. After evaluating aircraft from Europe and the United States, the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force selected a new design by the domestic Nakajima Aircraft Company. The prototype was test flow in 1934.
The Nakajima Ki-4 was a biplane design with staggered wings and fixed divided landing gear. It was powered by one 477 kW (640 hp) Nakajima Ha-8 , 9-cylinder, air-cooled radial engine. Maximum speed was 300 km/h (190 mph) and maximum take-off weight 2500 kg (5511.6 lb). It was armed with up to four 7.7mm machine guns, two fixed to fire forward, synchronized with the propeller, and one or two more mounted dorsally on a flexible mount. The maximum bomb load was 50 kg (110 lb).
A total of 383 units were produced, mostly by Nakajima from 1935-1941, and some under license by Tachikawa Aircraft Company Ltd and by Manshūkoku Hikōki Seizo KK in Manchukuo.
[edit] Operational history
The first Ki-4s began equipping Imperial Japanese Army Air Force units in 1935 and were an active part of Japanese fighter squadrons for a number of years thereafter. The Ki-4s saw substantial service in the early stages Second Sino-Japanese War from 1938. They also functioned as light ground attack aircraft in the support of advancing Japanese ground troops. However, these biplanes were vulnerable to even the oldest and slowest moving enemy fighters. By the time of the entry of Japan into World War II, the Ki-4s were regarded as obsolete. A number were still retained for use in the supply and liaison role from 1941, and others were transferred to the Manchukuo Air Force, but those that had not been lost in service served briefly as elementary trainers or target tugs before being scrapped. All of the Ki-4s were removed from active service by 1943.
Two Ki-4s were tested as seaplanes, one with twin floats and the other with one main and two stabilizing floats, but neither version was placed into production.
[edit] Variants
- Ki-4 (Army Type 94 Reconnaissance aircraft)
[edit] Operators
[edit] Military operators
[edit] Specifications
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 7.73 m (25 feet 4 inches)
- Wingspan: 12.00 m (38 feet 4 inches)
- Height: 3.50 m (11 feet 5 inches)
- Wing area: 29.7 m2 (319.7 ft2)
- Empty weight: 1,664 kg (3,668 pounds)
- Loaded weight: 2,474 kg (5,454 pounds)
- Max takeoff weight: 2,616 kg (5,767 lbs)
- Powerplant: 1× Nakajima Ha-8, 9-cylinder, air-cooled radial piston engine, 447 KW (640 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 283 km/h at 2,400 m (176 mph at 7,874 feet)
- Range: 1200 km (745 miles)
- Service ceiling 8,000 m (26,246 feet)
Armament
- Guns: Up to four 7.7 mm (0.303 inch) machine guns
- Bombs: 50 kg
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Francillon, Rene (1979). Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War. Putnam. AISN B000OK9ETY.
- Mikesh, Robert (1990). Japanese Aircraft 1910-1941. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1557505632.
[edit] External links
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