Nakajima Ki-44 Type 2 Shoki “Tojo”

December 5, 2016 PE Matt 2

Shortly after Nakajima had received orders for the Ki-43 “Hayabusa” fighter, they were asked to produce a design for a new interceptor fighter. Unusually for a Japanese fighter the need for manoeuvrability was relaxed in […]

Mitsubishi Ki-57 Type 100 “Topsy”

October 27, 2016 PE Matt 0

The Mitsubishi Ki-57 started life as a design for a new airliner for Nippon Koku, the Japanese airline. It was derived from the successful Ki-21 bomber, which had impressed the airline with its ability to […]

Kawasaki Ki-56 Type 1 “Thalia”

August 20, 2016 PE Matt 0

In 1939 Kawasaki had obtained a license to manufacture Lockheed 14-WG3 transports as the “Type LO” for the Japanese Navy. However, the Japanese Army was also interested in obtained transport aircraft, so they ordered Kawasaki […]

Mitsubishi Ki-46 Type 100 “Dinah”

February 15, 2016 PE Matt 0

In December 1937 the Japanese Army began a process to replace the Ki-15 reconnaissance aircraft which was proving to be so capable during the China Incident. The specifications were relatively liberal, with the requirement simply […]

Mitsubishi Ki-20 Type 92

February 11, 2016 PE Matt 0

The Mitsubishi Ki-20 design was descended from the German Junkers G.38 airliner. The G.38 was the largest land-based aircraft in the world and it was thought it might make a good heavy bomber. Junkers own […]

Mitsubishi Ki-51 Type 99 “Sonia”

November 5, 2015 PE Matt 0

In December 1937 the Japanese Army requested that Mitsubishi work on a development of their Ki-30 light bomber, with an emphasis on creating a new light bomber that could operate from advanced airfields very close […]

Kawasaki Ki-48 Type 99 “Lily”

October 29, 2015 PE Matt 0

Inspired by their experience meeting the Soviet Tupolev SB-2 high-speed bomber over China, the Japanese Army issued a request in 1937 for a new twin-engined light bomber with equivalent performance. Kawasaki, who were at that […]

Tachikawa Ki-36

Tachikawa Ki-36 Type 98 “Ida”

July 19, 2015 PE Matt 0

The Tachikawa Ki-36 was a small Army co-operation aircraft, essentially a light bomber, of the Japanese Army. It was designed to fulfil the role of an artillery spotter and light reconnaissance type, as well as […]

Kawasaki Ki-32

Kawasaki Ki-32 Type 98 “Mary”

June 23, 2015 PE Matt 0

The Kawasaki Ki-32 was a light bomber of the Imperial Japanese Army. It was designed in response to an Army requirement for a new light bomber to replace the ancient Ki-3, but originally it lost […]

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