The Ki-3 was a biplane design of all-metal construction with light alloy and fabric covering, with staggered wings and a fixed, divided landing gear. It was powered by one supercharged 592 kW (790 hp) BMW IX V12 inline engine, driving a wooden two-bladed propeller.[1] Maximum speed was 259 km/h (161 mph) and maximum take-off weight 3,097 kg (6,828 lb). One 7.7 mm (.303 in) machine gun was mounted to fire forward, synchronized with the propeller, and another was mounted dorsally on a flexible mount. The maximum bomb load was 500 kg (1,100 lb). The two man crew sat in open cockpits.
KDA-6 and A-6edit
The Ki-3 originated as a private venture, launched by Kawasaki to develop a dedicated reconnaissance aircraft. The latter's prototype, designated KDA-6, was designed by the German engineer Dr. Richard Vogt, who was working in Japan at the time. Takeo Doi the future chief designer for Kawasaki, worked as Vogt's assistant on the project; Vogt later went on to become chief designer for Blohm & Voss. The KDA-6 was rejected by the IJA due to changes in the procurement process, despite having excellent performance and handling characteristics. Awarded the contract to build the Army Type 93 Single-engined Light Bomber, Kawasaki used their experience of the KDA-6 in their design for this new aircraft, which was given the Kitai number Ki-3.[1]
A civilian version of the KDA-6, later designated Kawasaki A-6, was produced as a communications aircraft and was used successfully by the Asahi Shimbun newspaper for printing plate and personnel transport duties.[1]
Operational historyedit
The Kawasaki Ki-3 was designated "Army Type 93-1 Single-engine Light Bomber" under the other Japanese military aircraft nomenclature system. It flew in April 1933[1] and entered operational service initially with the 6th Composite Air Regiment in Chosen (Korea). It subsequently was used in combat in Manchukuo (Manchuria) and in north China during the initial stages of the Second Sino-Japanese War, where it could make use of its good maneuverability to support ground troops. It was considered a rugged ground-attack aircraft, but the supercharger of its liquid-cooled engine was a constant source of problems.[1]
Variantsedit
Ki-3 (Army Type 93-1 Single-engine Light Bomber). 243 built (3 prototypes, 200 by Kawasaki and 40 by Tachikawa Aircraft Company Ltd) from January 1934 till March 1935.[1]
Francillon, Ph.D., René J. (1979). Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War. London: Putnam & Company Ltd. ISBN0-370-30251-6.
Lake, Jon (2002). Great Book of Bombers. pp86: Zenith Press. ISBN0-7603-1347-4.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
Mikesh, Robert; Abe, Shorzoe (1990). Japanese Aircraft, 1910-1941. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press. ISBN1-55750-563-2.
March 15, 2024
kawasaki, 九三式単軽爆撃機, kyūsan, shiki, tankei, bakugekiki, light, bomber, built, kawasaki, kōkūki, kōgyō, imperial, japanese, army, 1930s, last, biplane, bomber, design, produced, imperial, japanese, army, force, combat, service, manchukuo, north, china, during, e. The Kawasaki Ki 3 九三式単軽爆撃機 Kyusan shiki tankei bakugekiki was a light bomber built by Kawasaki Kōkuki Kōgyō K K for the Imperial Japanese Army in the 1930s It was the last biplane bomber design to be produced for the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force and saw combat service in Manchukuo and in north China during the early stages of the Second Sino Japanese War Ki 3Kawasaki Ki 3 Army Type 93 1 single engine Light bomber Role Light bomberManufacturer Kawasaki Kōkuki Kōgyō K K Designer Takeo DoiFirst flight 1933Introduction 1934Primary user IJA Air ForceProduced 1933 1935Number built 243 Contents 1 Design amp Development 2 KDA 6 and A 6 3 Operational history 4 Variants 5 Operators 6 Specifications Ki 3 7 See also 8 References 9 BibliographyDesign amp Development editThe Ki 3 was a biplane design of all metal construction with light alloy and fabric covering with staggered wings and a fixed divided landing gear It was powered by one supercharged 592 kW 790 hp BMW IX V12 inline engine driving a wooden two bladed propeller 1 Maximum speed was 259 km h 161 mph and maximum take off weight 3 097 kg 6 828 lb One 7 7 mm 303 in machine gun was mounted to fire forward synchronized with the propeller and another was mounted dorsally on a flexible mount The maximum bomb load was 500 kg 1 100 lb The two man crew sat in open cockpits KDA 6 and A 6 editThe Ki 3 originated as a private venture launched by Kawasaki to develop a dedicated reconnaissance aircraft The latter s prototype designated KDA 6 was designed by the German engineer Dr Richard Vogt who was working in Japan at the time Takeo Doi the future chief designer for Kawasaki worked as Vogt s assistant on the project Vogt later went on to become chief designer for Blohm amp Voss The KDA 6 was rejected by the IJA due to changes in the procurement process despite having excellent performance and handling characteristics Awarded the contract to build the Army Type 93 Single engined Light Bomber Kawasaki used their experience of the KDA 6 in their design for this new aircraft which was given the Kitai number Ki 3 1 A civilian version of the KDA 6 later designated Kawasaki A 6 was produced as a communications aircraft and was used successfully by the Asahi Shimbun newspaper for printing plate and personnel transport duties 1 Operational history editThe Kawasaki Ki 3 was designated Army Type 93 1 Single engine Light Bomber under the other Japanese military aircraft nomenclature system It flew in April 1933 1 and entered operational service initially with the 6th Composite Air Regiment in Chosen Korea It subsequently was used in combat in Manchukuo Manchuria and in north China during the initial stages of the Second Sino Japanese War where it could make use of its good maneuverability to support ground troops It was considered a rugged ground attack aircraft but the supercharger of its liquid cooled engine was a constant source of problems 1 Variants editKi 3 Army Type 93 1 Single engine Light Bomber 243 built 3 prototypes 200 by Kawasaki and 40 by Tachikawa Aircraft Company Ltd from January 1934 till March 1935 1 Operators edit nbsp JapanImperial Japanese Army Air ForceSpecifications Ki 3 editData from Japanese Aircraft 1910 1941 1 General characteristicsCrew 2 Length 10 m 32 ft 9 6 in Wingspan 13 m 42 ft 7 8 in Height 3 0 m 9 ft 10 in Wing area 38 m2 409 sq ft Empty weight 1 650 kg 3 638 lb Gross weight 3 097 kg 6 828 lb Powerplant 1 Supercharged BMW IX liquid cooled V12 engine 592 kW 790 hp Performance Maximum speed 259 km h 161 mph 140 kn Service ceiling 7 000 m 23 000 ft Armament 2 7 7 mm 0 303 in machine guns 500 kg 1 102 lb of bombsSee also editRelated lists List of military aircraft of JapanReferences edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kawasaki Ki 3 a b c d e f g Mikesh amp Abe 1990 p 155 Bibliography editFrancillon Ph D Rene J 1979 Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War London Putnam amp Company Ltd ISBN 0 370 30251 6 Lake Jon 2002 Great Book of Bombers pp86 Zenith Press ISBN 0 7603 1347 4 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint location link Mikesh Robert Abe Shorzoe 1990 Japanese Aircraft 1910 1941 Annapolis MD Naval Institute Press ISBN 1 55750 563 2 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Kawasaki Ki 3 amp oldid 1081127141, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
