Nakajima Ki-6
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Ki-6 | |
|---|---|
 Civil version of Ki-6 in use by Japan Air Transport |
|
| Type | transport, training aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Nakajima Aircraft Company |
| Designed by | Fokker |
| Maiden flight | 1930 |
| Introduced | 1931 |
| Primary users | IJA Air Force Manchukuo Air Force |
The Nakajima Ki-6 (九五式二型練習機 Kyūgo-shiki nigata renshuki?) was a licensed produced version of the Fokker Super Universal transport built by Nakajima Aircraft Company in the 1930s. Initially used as an airliner, the militarized version was used by the Imperial Japanese Army in a variety of roles, ranging from medical evacuation to transport and training aircraft. It was used extensively in combat zones in Manchukuo and in China during the Second Sino-Japanese War.
Contents |
[edit] Design & Development
The Ki-6 originated as the Model 8 Super Universal, launched by Fokker in the United States in 1927 as a further development of its successful Fokker F-10 Universal. The Super Universal was slightly larger and could carry six passengers rather than four. In addition, the aircraft was equipped with a more powerful engine and a cantilever wing. In total about 200 Super Universals are thought to have been built. Due to its rugged durability, long range flight ability and large cargo capacity, the Fokker Super Universal was extensively used in bush flying and was well regarded for its versatility. The first flight took place in March 1928. Shortly after, the type entered production at a new factory in Glendale, California. The Super Universal remained in production until January 1931.
The Super Universal caught the attention of a number of civil airlines from 1928 onwards. There was also interest from the United States military, although no order was placed. Fokker received export orders from Colombia, Argentina, South Africa and Japan and a license production agreements were made with the Canadian subsidiary of Vickers and with Nakajima Aircraft Company in Japan.
[edit] Operational history
The first Super Universal was brought to Japan in components and was assembled by Nakajima for Japan Air Transport. Under license production, Nakajima replaced the engine with a 450 hp (340 kW) Bristol Jupiter, also license-built in Japan, and later by its own Nakajima Kotobuki 460 hp (340 kW) engine.
Nakajima's production began in September 1930, with the first aircraft delivered in March 1931. Production ended in October 1936, but the total number of aircraft built is unknown. Nakajima also sub-licensed additional production to its subsidiary Manshūkoku Hikōki Seizo KK (as the Mansyu MT-1) in Manchukuo, which also produced an unknown number of units. The first military Super Universals were introduced into service following Japan's invasion of Manchuria in 1931 when the Imperial Japanese Army commandeered seven Super Universals from the Japan Air Transport Company.
In 1932, the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force decided to acquire its own transports, which it designated as the “Army Type 95 Training Aircraft” under the former aircraft naming nomenclature system, or “Ki-6” under the new system. The first aircraft was delivered as a flying ambulance fitted with two stretchers and three seats. This was followed by an order for 20 training aircraft to be used for training pilots, gunners, bombardiers and wireless operators.
The Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service also ordered twenty Ki-6s, re-designating the aircraft as the “Navy C2N1” when used for land-based operations and an additional 30 Navy “C2N2” which were fitted as a floatplane. The naval version had a larger cabin and was used on reconnaissance and military transport missions.
The aircraft built in Japan were used for both civil and military roles with some remaining in operation until after World War II.
[edit] Variants
- Nakajima Super Universal
- Civilian transport
- Ki-6 (Japanese Army Type 95 Training Aircraft)
- Military transport for the IJAAF
- C2N1 (Japanese Navy land-based transport)
- Military transport for the IJN
- C2N2 (Japanese Navy floatplane transport)
- Military transport for the IJN
- Mansyu MT-1
- Civil and military transport built in Manchukuo
[edit] Operators
[edit] Civilian operators
[edit] Military operators
[edit] Specifications (Ki-6)
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Capacity: 6
- Length: 11.25 m (36 ft 11 in)
- Wingspan: 15.44 m (50 ft 7.87 in)
- Height: 2.79 m (9 ft 2 in)
- Wing area: 37.37 m² (402.26 ft²)
- Empty weight: 1640 kg (3615.5 lb)
- Gross weight: 2820 kg (6217 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Nakajima Kotobuki air-cooled radial engine, 335 kW (450 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 245 km/h (152 mph)
- Range: 1045 km (650 miles)
[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
[edit] See also
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
||||||||||||||
