Kawasaki Ki 45 Torjú [Nick]

Kawasaki Ki-45 Toryū - přehled verzí

Kawasaki Ki-45 - version overview


川 崎 キ -45 - Kawasaki ki yonjūgo


-式 複 座 戦 闘 機 - Ni-shiki fukuza sentōki - "Army two-seat fighter type 2"


Japanese name: 屠龍 - Toryū - Dragon Slayer


Allied reporting name: "Nick"



Designation Aircraft design - description
Kawasaki Ki-45 prototypy No.45.01 a 45.02 6 prototypes, engines Nakajima Ha-20b with a small output of 820 horsepower, shovel-shaped SOP, the first prototype took off in January 1939.
Kawasaki Ki-45 No. 45.07 to No. 45.11 from the seventh prototype (flown in July 1940) to the eleventh and twelve pre-series, engines Nakajima Ha-25 with an output of 1,000/1,050 horsepower
Kawasaki Ki-45 KAI serial production since September 1941, armament Ho-3 caliber 20 mm, 2x Ho-103 caliber 12.7 mm and 1x Type 98 caliber 7.92 mm to defend the rear.
Kawasaki Ki-45 KAIa production since June 1942, engines Mitsubishi Ha-102 with an output of 1,080 hp, equipment 1x Ho-3 caliber 20 mm, 2x Ho-103, 1x movable Type 98 7.92 mm,
Kawasaki Ki-45 KAIb designed for attacks on ship and ground targets, 37 mm cannon Type 94 was manually charged and 2x machine gun Ho-103, under the wings could carry 2x 250 kg bombs.
Kawasaki Ki-45 KAIc designed for combat with bombers, behind the cockpit two obliquely placed cannons Ho-5, in the bow 1x cannon Ho-203 caliber 37 mm (semi-automatic) .
This version was quite successful in defending Tokyo.
Kawasaki Ki-45 KAId a few aircraft designed for attacks against naval and ground targets, armament 1x Ho-203 a 2x Ho-5.
Kawasaki Ki-45-II [col ] larger version of the Ki-45-I, which later became a single-seat Kawasaki Ki-96, was built on the initiative of Takeo Doi



Made a total of 1,698 aircraft of this type (some sources state 1,701 aircraft).
Production took place at: as 崎 航空 工 機 業 株式会社 - Kawasaki Kōkūki Kōgyō Kabushiki Kaisha, Kagamigahara, near Gifu [img_6 comment = Japan (JPN)] https://vcdns.valka.cz/images/flags/jp.gif[/img_6]


Sources used:
René J. Francillon Ph.D., Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War, 2nd edition, London, Putnam & Company Ltd., reprinted 1979, ISBN 0-370-30251-6.
William Green, War Planes of the Second World War, Volume Three: Fighters, London, Macdonald & Co. (Publishers) Ltd., 1961, ISBN 0-356-01447-9.
Robert C. Mikesh, Japanese Aircraft Code Names & Designations, Schiffer Publishing, Ltd., 1993, ISBN 0-88740-447-2.
http://www.airwar.ru/enc/fww2/ki45.html
http://www.ww2warbirds.net/ww2htmls/kasaki45.html
URL : https://www.valka.cz/Kawasaki-Ki-45-Torju-Nick-t29408#104557 Version : 0

Kawasaki Ki-45


屠龍 - Toryu - Dragon Slayer


Ish 式 複 座 戦 闘 機/Nishiki fukuza sentoki/"Army two-seater fighter aircraft Type 2"


Allied code name: Nick


History:
Ai 日本 帝国 陸軍 航空 本部 - Dai-Nippon Teikoku Rikugun Kōkū Hombu (Imperial Army Air Force) for quite a long time overlooked the fact that in its arsenal does not have a heavy twin-engine fighter, which thanks to two engines could achieve higher performance, carry more powerful equipment and provide higher armament the certainty of returning to the base in case of failure of the power unit (this was interesting especially for flights over the sea). In 1937, prototypes of twin-engine fighters were successfully tested in Europe Bf 110, Fokker G.1a or Potez 630, only on the basis of this fact the certified specifications addressed the certified aircraft suppliers. The design teams of these companies were invited to submit their projects for a twin-engine fighter, which was to achieve primarily high speed. The conditions were to be further specified by the Aeronautical Research Institute in Tachikawa - ach 航空 技術 研究所 - Tachikawa Rikugun Kōkū Gijutsō Kenkyujō (Rikugun, Giken), but the research institute formulated the requirements and conditions very freely, leaving designers much free space for their creative work. Three projects nakonec 島 飛行 機 株式会社 - Nakajima Hikōki Kabushiki Kaisha prepared the project Ki-37, as 崎 航空 工 機 業 Kaw - Kawasaki Kōkūki Kōgyō Kabushiki Kaisha (hereinafter only Kawasaki) applied for the project of engineer Isami Imashi called Ki-38 and the company 三菱 重工業 株式会社 - Mitsubishi Jūkōgyō Kabushiki Kaisha developed the project Ki-39. However, the management of Nakajima and Mitsubishi soon leave the competition and withdraw their projects, and the work is completely terminated.


Only the company Kawasaki remained in the competition with its project Ki-38, this machine was to be powered according to the project, as was customary at this factory, in-line engines. In the summer of 1937, however, Rikugun Kōkū Hombu lost interest in the project because there were still many officers who questioned the need for such an aircraft. Japanese fighters at the time had to meet only one basic requirement - excellent dexterity. This condition lasted until mid-December 1937, when another specification was delivered to Kawasaki with new technical requirements for a twin-engine aircraft and the project received a new designation in the system Kitai, it was now Ki-45. Only at this time could the designers get acquainted with the specific requirements, which were, for the Japanese Air Force, really high. The maximum speed of 540 km/h was to be reached at an altitude of 3,500 meters, the operating altitude of up to 5,000 meters, flight endurance was required for 4.5 hours of flight at a cruising speed of 350 km/h with a reserve for half an hour of combat. At the same time, it was stipulated that the choice of engines would be limited to star engines, the Japanese Air Force had permanent reservations about in-line engines. The engine Nakajima Ha-20b was recommended. The specifications were also determined armament, the aircraft was to carry two cannons for firing forward and one movable machine gun for its defense.


At the beginning of the year, the experienced chief designer, engineer Takeo Doi, took over the work on the project and managed the construction of the prototype. The work of designers and technicians was demanding, although they made the most of the previous Ki-38 project. It was still the fastest aircraft ever built by Kawasaki. In January 1939, the first prototype Kawasaki Ki-45(45.01) was completed at the Gif factory. The wings and tail surfaces remained the same as the Ki-38, powered by Nakajima Ha-20b engines.These engines were a proven type, the Japanese produced them under license and it was a British engine Bristol Mercury, this the engine, when installed in a new aircraft, retained everything that Bristol gave him in the crown, massive hoods and gondolas, these brought problems to designers who were used to slim in-line engines - always preferred by the company, it was also a large exhaust manifold in the front parts of the engine covers and, in addition, the lack of tuning from the Japanese manufacturer resulted in insufficient performance. The armament was very strong by Japanese standards, two machine guns were installed in the bow Type 89 (the weapon was old, but reliable) and at the bottom right was a cannon Ho-3 caliber 20 mm. The second member of the crew could defend the aircraft from attacks from behind by one moving machine gun rifle caliber, this member was also a radio operator and charger of the Ho-3 cannon (the cannon was developed from an anti-tank rifle).


During the tests, in addition to common and more or less expected defects, the designers struggled with low engine performance, the second prototype (45.02) tried to improve the aerodynamics of engine nacelles and propeller cones, the second prototype still had a manually retracted chassis, which was definitely not a happy solution. The third prototype (45.03), completed in May 1939, already had the chassis electrically retractable, further experimentation with cooling by means of propeller cones and the exhaust manifold was moved back to the end of the engine covers. Other prototypes were gradually involved in the tests as they were completed, various design solutions were tested on them, it is certain that until the end of 1939, none of the prototypes flew at speeds higher than 480 km/h, which was far beyond the requirements of the Army Air Force, which required a maximum speed of 540 km/h.


The increase in performance occurred only after the installation of two-star fourteen-cylinder Nakajima Ha-25, the change of the power unit was allowed only on the basis of repeated requests from designers from Gifu. The first prototype, which was powered by these engines, was the seventh prototype (45.07) and soon bore the designation Ki-45KAI, was completed in August 1941, tests began in September 1941, gradually two more prototypes (4510 and 4511) and twelve pre-production aircraft were involved. Thanks to these more powerful engines and also due to their smaller diameter, more aerodynamic engine covers have been used. The maximum speed increased by 40 km/h, which Rikugun Kōkū Hombu considered sufficient, then the aircraft was accepted into the armament of the Army Air Force under the designation "Army two-seat fighter type 2 model A" Ki-45KAI Ko and he was also given the combat name Toryu (Dragon Slayer - Japanese). Engineer Takeo Doi proposed a few more fundamental modifications to simplify series production. The wing was changed, which was no longer elliptical, but its leading edges were straight, which was a very welcome change in terms of production complexity. Serially produced machines eventually got new, more reliable and also more powerful fourteen-cylinder Mitsubishi Ha-102. The armament also underwent changes, machine guns caliber 7.7 mm were replaced by more efficient half-inch machine guns type Ho-103 this significantly increased the firepower, the obsolete telescopic sight was replaced by a more modern reflex sight type 100. In the rear of the cabin was a shooting range for machine guns type 98 caliber 7.92 mm, for this weapon was carried 675 rounds in nine magazines. For the cannon was carried 100 grenades in two magazines and for machine guns Ho-103 were a total of 500 rounds (2x 250).Serial production began in January 1942, first began production in Gifu, where Toryu was produced until September 1943, the factory in Akashi were produced from September 1942 and there were produced until the end of the war. As one of the first Japanese aircraft to have relatively solid passive protection, the crew compartment and fuel tanks were protected.


It was the first to be armed with new aircraft from August 1942 5. Sentai, however, this unit was not the first capable of operational activity, this primacy had 21. Sentai and after it 16. The Sentai intervened in the fighting on the Burmese battlefield in October and November 1942. Here it became clear again that the Rikugun Kōkū Hombu was not used properly for these aircraft. Toryu was really a very agile fighter, but it was a mistake to use it in combat with single-engine fighters of the enemy, and this happened exactly at the beginning. In fact, the Japanese Air Force was just looking for what these fighters are best suited for, even at the cost of significant losses. Much better results were achieved in battle attacks and in attacks on Allied shipping. In New Guinea, Toryu aircraft were also deployed against heavy bombers of the 5th Air Force, during these attacks against these well-protected bombers, the crews of Toryu fighters gained their first experience and also their first victories. A version of the Ki-45 KAIb (Otsu) was produced for these tasks, which carried a more powerful cannon instead of the Ho-3 cannon type 94 caliber 37 mm. The effectiveness of this weapon was reduced by the fact that it was manually charged and even a really well-trained charger could not fire more than 15 rounds per minute. In total, about twenty aircraft of this version were created.

A harbinger of a disproportionately significant version of the Ki-45KAIc (Hei), was a modification of the fighter version of the Ki-45 KAIa, in which the fuselage fuel tank behind the cockpit was removed and two sloping upwards were installed in the free space. shooting machine guns Ho-103, this field modification manifested itself in the attack on night bombers B-24 Liberator so effective that several other aircraft were modified to this form, several were probably canceled the rear range. Unfortunately, the fighters lacked any radar equipment and the pilots had to rely only on guidance from the ground, perhaps there was the implementation of "light-carrying fighters", these aircraft were to search and illuminate the enemy bomber with a powerful headlight, I do not know if this cumbersome way of fighting took place.


On the contrary, it is certain that this modification became the basis for serial production of the Ki-45 KAIc version, which was produced since April 1944 in the Akashi factory in the number of 477. This version carried a pair of obliquely upward firing cannons Ho-5 caliber 20 mm, in the fuselage at the bottom right was a semi-automatic cannon Ho-203 caliber 37 mm with a supply of sixteen rounds. The production took place in three production units, the exhaust manifold was removed from the second unit of the engines and each cylinder had an individual exhaust pipe, the machines of the third production unit were characterized by a sheet metal rear range.


The last version in production was a small series of aircraft Ki-45 KAId (Tei), this version was again designed to perform combat missions and attacks on enemy ships. It was armed with a pair of Ho-5 cannons and one Ho-203 cannon, under the wings could be hung two bombs weighing 250 kg, in the second part of the cabin was again a defensive machine gun type 98. Many aircraft of all versions participated in suicide raids, in which wings hanging bombs.


One aircraft was allegedly tested with a cannon type 88 caliber 75 mm, weight and shooting from However, this weapon would probably be outside the scope of applicability, I personally consider more likely mentions of cannon tests Ho- 401 caliber 57 mm, but even here it would only be a test. In practice, however, there are combinations of other weapons, which were carried out at the request of pilots directly in field conditions.


Further development took place in Kagamigahara, where a strongly modernized prototype Ki-45 II was created, which was powered by much more powerful engines Mitsubishi Ha-112-II with an output of 1,500 horsepower, the dimensions were slightly larger. The development of this aircraft was the own initiative of the chief designer Takeo Doi. After demonstrating a two-seat prototype, the Army Air Force requested a modification to the single-seat form. The prototype was then completed with a new designation Ki-96. The tests took place from September 1943 and showed excellent flight characteristics, excellent maneuverability even with a large increase in performance. The other two prototypes of the Ki-96 were built from the beginning as a single, with a teardrop cabin.


Toryu planes have been involved in the fight against Japan's Superfortresses since March 1945, ie since the bombers switched to night raids from low and medium altitudes. She was very successful in this respect 4. Sentai, which from the autumn of 1944 until the end of the war destroyed a total of 150 Superfortresses over the island Kyushu.


The Allies gave this aircraft code name Nick and after testing criticized the noise, little space in the cabin, poor visibility and weak brakes, on the contrary praise did not spare flight characteristics and dexterity, here Japanese pilots likened it to single-engine fighters Curtiss P-40E.


Units that had Toryu in their arsenal:
4.Sentai, 5.Sentai, 13.Sentai, 16.Sentai, 21.Sentai, 27.Sentai, 45.Sentai, 53.Sentai, 65.Sentai, 70.Sentai and 25.Chikotai (practice)


Sources used:
René J. Francillon Ph.D., Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War, Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, Maryland, 1987, ISBN-13: 978-0870213137
William Green, War Plane sof the Sekond World War - Fighters, Vol. Three, London Macdonald, seventh edition from 1973, ISBN: 0-356-01447-9
Jaroslav Schmidt, Fighter and bomber aircraft of Japan, Fraus Publishing House Pilsen, year 1998, ISBN: 80-7238-041-9
René J. Francillon, Aircraft Profile 105, The Kawasaki Ki-45 Toryu, 1969
L + K 9/1990, Aircraft 39 - 45
L + K 15/1965, Aircraft 1939 - 45
www.xs4all.nl
www.warbirdsresourcegroup.org
www.aviastar.org
http://www.airwar.ru/enc/fww2/ki45.html
author's archive
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Mnoho krásných fotografií na http://www.ijaafpics.com/jbwki451.htm tady je výběr.
Kawasaki Ki 45 Torjú [Nick] -


Kawasaki Ki 45 Torjú [Nick] -


Kawasaki Ki 45 Torjú [Nick] -


Kawasaki Ki 45 Torjú [Nick] -


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