Tachikawa Ki-70

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 entered production. The Ki-70 was the intended successor to the Mitsubishi Ki-46 but was difficult to handle and was slower than the Mitsubishi Ki-46. The Ki-70 was first flown in 1943 but was found unfavorable and the program was scrapped. Three were built.

History

In later years the Ki-70 was used to disprove supposed photographic evidence concerning Amelia Earhart's supposed capture by the Japanese before World War II.^{[citation needed]}

Description

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

Specifications (Ha-104M engine)

(Performance estimated except where indicated)

Data from Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War ^[1]

General characteristics

• Crew: 3
• Length: 14.50 m (47 ft 6⅞ in)
• Wingspan: 17.80 m (58 ft 4¾ in)
• Height: 3.46 m (11 ft 4¼ in)
• Wing area: 43.0 m² (463 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 5,895 kg (12,996 lb)
• Loaded weight: 9,855 kg (21,727 lb)
• Max. takeoff weight: 10,700 kg (23,589 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × Mitsubishi Ha-104M 18-cylinder air-cooled radial engine, 2,070 hp (1,544 kW) at 1,000 m (3,300 ft) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 580 km/h^[2] (313 knots, 360 mph) (trials performance)
• Cruise speed: 490 km/h (263 knots, 304 mph) at 5,400 m (17,700 ft)
• Range: 2480 km (1,340 nmi, 1,541 mi)
• Service ceiling: 11,000 m (36,100 ft)
  
• Climb to 5,000 m (16,400 ft): 5 min

• Guns: 1x 12.7mm MG, 1x 7.7mm MG

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

• Mitsubishi Ki-46

References

Notes

Bibliography

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tachikawa aircraft.

• Complete specifications for the Ki-70