Tachikawa Ki-74

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The Tachikawa Ki-74 was a Japanese experimental long-range reconnaissance bomber of World War II. A twin-engine, mid-wing monoplane, it was developed for the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force but did not enter service.

Development

Though already conceived in 1939[4] as a long-range reconnaissance aircraft capable of reaching west of Lake Baikal when operating from bases in Manchukuo (Manchuria), the prototype Ki-74 (designated as A-26 by Tachikawa) only first flew as late as in March 1944; it was powered by two 1,641 kW (2,201 hp) Mitsubishi Ha-211-I [Ha-43-I] radial engines. The following two prototypes were powered by the turbo-supercharged Mitsubishi Ha-211-I Ru [Ha-43-II], but as these experienced teething troubles, the following thirteen pre-production machines substituted the Ha-211 Ru engine for the lower powered, but more reliable, turbo-supercharged Mitsubishi Ha-104 Ru (Army Type 4 1,900hp Air Cooled Radial).[5]

Operational history

The Ki-74 did not see operational service. Nevertheless, the Allies knew of its existence and assigned the type the codename "Patsy" after it was discovered that is was a bomber, not a fighter. Previously it had the code name "Pat" in Allied Intelligence.[6]

Specifications (Ki-74)

Data from The Imperial Japanese Secret Weapons Museum ;[7] Japanese AIrcraft of the Pacific War[6]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 5
  • Capacity: 9,200 kg (20,300 lb)
  • Length: 17.65 m (57 ft 11 in)
  • Wingspan: 18.6 m (61 ft 0 in)
  • Height: 5.1 m (16 ft 9 in)
  • Wing area: 80 m2 (860 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 10,200 kg (22,487 lb)
  • Gross weight: 19,400 kg (42,770 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Mitsubishi Ha104 Ru turbo-supercharged 18-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines, 1,500 kW (2,000 hp) each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 570 km/h (354 mph; 308 kn)
  • Cruising speed: 400 km/h (249 mph; 216 kn)
  • Range: 8,000 km (4,971 mi; 4,320 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 12,000 m (39,370 ft)
  • Wing loading: 242.5 kg/m2 (49.7 lb/sq ft)
  • Power/mass: 0.154 kW/kg (0.093 hp/lb; 0.206 hp/kg)
Armament

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

References

Notes
  1. Carmakers owe success to warplanes - Military's brightest aircraft designers created Japan's automotive powers The Japan Times, Aug. 13, 2005
  2. The History and the Biography of Jiro Tanaka (Detailed PDF document attached) (Japanese) - Japan Automotive Hall of Fame
  3. From the Ki-74 to the Tama Electric Vehicles and the Prince Vehicles - Interview of Jiro Tanaka on Nov. 22, 1996 (Japanese) - The Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan (JSAE)
  4. Francillon 1979, p. 259.
  5. Francillon 1979, pp. 260–261.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Francillon 1979, p. 261.
  7. "The Imperial Japanese Secret Weapons Museum". Archived from the original on 2009-10-27. 
Bibliography

External links

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