The Kawasaki Ki-78, originally given the designation Ken III (Kensan - research III), was a high-speed research aircraft (after research projects of long-range and high-altitude aircraft),[2] also intended to attempt breaking the world absolute speed record.[1]
The Kawasaki Ki-78 was a high-speed research aircraft developed to investigate laminar profile wings with high wing loadings. Early in 1938 a high-speed research program was started at the Aeronautical Research Institute of the University of Tokyo for a small single-seat aircraft.[1]
The Ki-78 was designed at the Aeronautical Research Institute and built at Kawasaki Kokuki Kogyo K.K. to investigate flying behaviour at very high speed. It featured a streamlined minimum cross-section fuselage fitted with a licence-built Daimler-Benz DB 601A engine. For short durations, power boost methanol/water injection was used and cooling was improved by a 45 kW (60 hp) turbine driven cooling fan for the radiators.[1]
All-metal construction was used in combination with a small thin wing with a laminar flow profile and a sharp leading edge.[1]
Operational historyedit
By the outbreak of the war, the whole project was taken over by the Imperial Japanese Army who gave it the military type designation Ki-78. Kawasaki received the order to build two prototypes of the Ki-78, construction of which was started in September 1941. The first was completed more than a year later and was flown for the first time on 26 December 1942. A feasibility study to improve the KI-78 flight performance showed that extensive airframe modifications were needed and consequently the project was officially terminated after the 32nd flight on 11 January 1944; the second Ki-78 was never completed.[1]
^ abcdefghFrancillon, Rene (1979). Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War. London: Putnam & Company Limited. ISBN0-370-30251-6.
^スピード追い求めた幻の翼 研三 - KENSAN -. かかみがはら航空宇宙科学博物館. p. 10.
Further readingedit
Air Pictorial: 489. December 1986.
External linksedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kawasaki Ki-78.
Ki-78 article
January 01, 1970
kawasaki, originally, given, designation, kensan, research, high, speed, research, aircraft, after, research, projects, long, range, high, altitude, aircraft, also, intended, attempt, breaking, world, absolute, speed, record, role, high, speed, research, aircr. The Kawasaki Ki 78 originally given the designation Ken III Kensan research III was a high speed research aircraft after research projects of long range and high altitude aircraft 2 also intended to attempt breaking the world absolute speed record 1 Ki 78 Role High speed research aircraft National origin Japan Manufacturer Kawasaki Kokuki Kogyo K K Design group Aeronautical Research Institute of the University of Tokyo First flight 26 December 1942 1 Number built 1 completed 1x mock up and the partially complete 2nd prototype 1 Contents 1 Design and development 2 Operational history 3 Specifications Ken III Ki 78 4 See also 5 References 6 Further reading 7 External linksDesign and development editThe Kawasaki Ki 78 was a high speed research aircraft developed to investigate laminar profile wings with high wing loadings Early in 1938 a high speed research program was started at the Aeronautical Research Institute of the University of Tokyo for a small single seat aircraft 1 The Ki 78 was designed at the Aeronautical Research Institute and built at Kawasaki Kokuki Kogyo K K to investigate flying behaviour at very high speed It featured a streamlined minimum cross section fuselage fitted with a licence built Daimler Benz DB 601A engine For short durations power boost methanol water injection was used and cooling was improved by a 45 kW 60 hp turbine driven cooling fan for the radiators 1 All metal construction was used in combination with a small thin wing with a laminar flow profile and a sharp leading edge 1 Operational history editBy the outbreak of the war the whole project was taken over by the Imperial Japanese Army who gave it the military type designation Ki 78 Kawasaki received the order to build two prototypes of the Ki 78 construction of which was started in September 1941 The first was completed more than a year later and was flown for the first time on 26 December 1942 A feasibility study to improve the KI 78 flight performance showed that extensive airframe modifications were needed and consequently the project was officially terminated after the 32nd flight on 11 January 1944 the second Ki 78 was never completed 1 Specifications Ken III Ki 78 editData from Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War 1 General characteristicsCrew 1 Length 8 1 m 26 ft 7 in Wingspan 8 m 26 ft 3 in Height 3 07 m 10 ft 1 in Wing area 11 m2 120 sq ft Empty weight 1 930 kg 4 255 lb Gross weight 2 300 kg 5 071 lb Powerplant 1 Daimler Benz DB 601A V 12 inverted liquid cooled piston engine rated at 1 160 kW 1 550 hp with Water Methanol injection for short durations Performance Maximum speed 700 km h 430 mph 380 kn at 3 500 m 11 500 ft Range 600 km 370 mi 320 nmi Service ceiling 8 000 m 26 000 ft Wing loading 209 kg m2 43 lb sq ft Power mass 0 373 kW kg 0 2273 hp lb See also editAircraft of comparable role configuration and era Napier Heston Racer Messerschmitt Me 209References edit a b c d e f g h Francillon Rene 1979 Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War London Putnam amp Company Limited ISBN 0 370 30251 6 スピード追い求めた幻の翼 研三 KENSAN かかみがはら航空宇宙科学博物館 p 10 Further reading editAir Pictorial 489 December 1986 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kawasaki Ki 78 Ki 78 article Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Kawasaki Ki 78 amp oldid 1191316763, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
