Mitsubishi Shinten

Shinten
Type 14-cylinder air-cooled two-row radial piston engine
National origin Japan
Manufacturer Mitsubishi Aircraft Company
Major applications Mitsubishi Ki-21, Yokosuka H5Y
Produced 1934-1937
Number built 113
Developed from Mitsubishi Kinsei
Developed into Mitsubishi Kasei, Mitsubishi Zuisei

The Mitsubishi Shinten was a two-row, 14-cylinder air-cooled radial engine built by Mitsubishi Aircraft Company in the first half of 1930-ies. Mitsubishi model designation for this engine was A6(7) while it was an experimental project, in service it was known as the MK1, and known as the Ha-6 by the Army and "Shinten" by the Navy.

Contents

Design and development

The Mitsubishi Shinten was developed from the Mitsubishi Kinsei engine by increasing the Kinsei's stroke from 150 mm (5.9 in) to 160 mm (6.3 in) on Shinten 11 & to 170 mm (6.7 in) on Shinten 21 & 21Kai design. So engines displacement increased to 36.7 L (2238 in³). This increased power up to 1,200 hp at take-off.

Initially Ha-6 Shintens were to be installed on Mitsubishi Ki-21 bomber, but it was decided that the plane to be equipped by its competitor Nakajima Ha-5 engine. Furthermore Mitsubishi was ordered to produce Nakajima's engine on its plant by license. So only 113 Shinten engines were made & they were installed on only few types of aircrafts.

In aim to beat the rival and also to get more powerful engine for new Navy Attack Bomber that became famous Mitsubishi G6M Betty Mitsubishi Shinten was developed into the Mitsubishi Kasei by increasing the bore from 140 mm (5.5 in) to 150 mm (5.9 in) which in turn brought the displacement to 42 L (2,567 in³) and increased power to 1500 hp.

Variants

Shinten 1 A7
920 hp at 2300 rpm (take-off), 700 hp at 2100 rpm (normal). 1934 4 made
Shinten-21 A6
950 hp at 2320 rpm (take-off), 800 hp at 2150 rpm (normal).
Shinten-21kai A6
1200 hp at 2360 rpm (take-off), 1020 hp at 2250 rpm (normal). 1934-1939 109 made

Specifications Shinten (Ha-6)

Data from Gunston

General characteristics

Components

Performance

Applications

See also

Comparable engines
Related lists

References