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Mitsubishi Ki-2

December 15, 2023

The Mitsubishi Ki-2 (九三式双軽爆撃機, Kyūsan-shiki sōkei bakugekiki, "Army Type 93 Twin-engine Light Bomber") was a light bomber built by Mitsubishi for the Imperial Japanese Army Air Service (IJAAS) in the 1930s. Its Allied nickname was "Louise". Despite its antiquated appearance, the Ki-2 was successfully used in Manchukuo and in North China during the early stages of the Second Sino-Japanese War, in areas where danger from enemy fighter aircraft was minimal. It was later used in a training role.

Ki-2
Mitsubishi Ki-2-I
(Army Type 93-I Twin-engine Light Bomber)
Role Light bomber
Manufacturer Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
First flight May 1933
Primary user Imperial Japanese Army Air Service (IJAAS)
Produced 1933-1938
Number built 187

Design and development edit

The Ki-2 was a low-wing cantilever monoplane with corrugated metal alloy decking, twin fins with rudders, fixed divided landing gear and was powered by two 435 hp (324 kW) Nakajima Kotobuki radial engines. Maximum speed was 225 km/h (140 mph), normal range 900 km (490 nmi; 560 mi) and maximum take-off weight 4,550 kg (10,030 lb). Single 7.7 mm (0.303 in) machine guns were mounted in a semi-enclosed nose and dorsal positions and it could carry a maximum bomb load of 500 kg (1,100 lb).

The Ki-2 was, like its stable mate the Mitsubishi Ki-1, an adaptation of the Junkers S36 first flown in 1927. Militarized into the Junkers K37 by Junker's Swedish subsidiary AB Flygindustri at Limhamn near Malmö in Sweden, it was able to reach altitudes unattainable by contemporary fighter aircraft. However, by 1930 this advantage had been lost due to developments such as the Bristol Bulldog fighter and Junkers was unsuccessful in selling the design.

In 1931, representatives of the Mitsubishi Nainenki K.K. in Japan visited the Limhamn facilities to study some of the military conversions of Junkers aircraft, and purchased the sole K37 prototype S-AABP (ex D-1252 S36-prototype) as well as all development papers signing a contract for licensed production.

The K37 prototype was brought to Japan and tested in combat in the Manchurian Incident of 1931, following which the IJAAS authorized Mitsubishi to produce both heavy and light bomber variations. The Mitsubishi Ki-1 heavy bomber was a much larger new design following only the general arrangement of the K37 and first flew in August 1932.

The Mitsubishi Ki-2 light bomber version, a minimally re-designed K37, flew for the first time in May 1933. The fuselage was redesigned by Mitsubishi, but the wings were kept largely unchanged, except for additional ailerons. Mitsubishi built total of 113 aircraft and an additional 13 aircraft were built by Kawasaki Kōkūki Kōgyō KK from 1933 to 1936.[1]

An up-graded version was produced in quantity as the Ki-2-II (Army Type 93-II Twin-engined Light Bomber), with nose turret and semi-retractable main landing gear and powered by two 559 hp (417 kW) Mitsubishi Ha-8 (Army Type 94 550hp Air Cooled Radial) engines.

Operational history edit

Although already obsolescent by the time of its introduction, it was used with great success in the counterinsurgency operations of the Pacification of Manchukuo, and as well as limited use in the Second Sino-Japanese War in combat in north China.

 
A Ki-2-II (Army Type 93-2 Light Bomber)

Vulnerable to attack by enemy fighters, and replaced by aircraft with greater range and payload by the late 1930s, both versions ended their flying careers in the training role.

A civilian version of the Ki-2-II named Ohtori (Phoenix) was bought by the Asahi Shimbun newspaper and made a number of long-range record-breaking and "goodwill" flights from 1936 to 1939. Registered J-BAAE, it covered the 4,930 km (2,660 nmi; 3,060 mi) from Tachikawa military air base to Bangkok in 21 hours 36 minutes flying time in December 1936, and in early 1939 achieved a round-China flight of some 9,300 km (5,000 nmi; 5,800 mi).

Variants edit

Ki-2-I (Army Type 93-I Twin-engined Light Bomber)
Initial production variant, powered by two 435 hp (324 kW) Nakajima Kotobuki radial engines; 126 built.
Ki-2-II (Army Type 93-II Twin-engined Light Bomber)
Final production variant with nose turret and semi-retractable main landing gear, powered by two 559 hp (417 kW) Mitsubishi Ha-8 (Army Type 94 550hp Air Cooled Radial) engines; 61 built.
Mitsubishi Ohtori (大鳥, Ōtori, "phoenix", lit. "large bird")
A de-militarized long-range record-breaking aircraft operated by Asahi Shimbun; 1 built. Was mistakenly given the Allied reporting name of Eva or Eve.
 
Mitsubishi Ohtori

Operators edit

  Japan

Specifications (Ki-2-I) edit

 
3-view drawing of the Mitsubishi Ki-2-II

Data from Japanese Aircraft, 1910-1941[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 3
  • Length: 12.6 m (41 ft 4 in)
  • Wingspan: 19.9 m (65 ft 3 in)
  • Height: 4.6 m (15 ft 1 in)
  • Wing area: 56 m2 (600 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 2,800 kg (6,173 lb)
  • Gross weight: 4,500 kg (9,921 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Nakajima Kotobuki 9-cylinder air-cooled radial engines, 324 kW (435 hp) each
  • Propellers: 2-bladed wooden fixed pitch propeller

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 225 km/h (140 mph, 121 kn)
  • Range: 900 km (560 mi, 490 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 7,000 m (23,000 ft)

Armament

  • Guns: 2× to 3× 7.7 mm (0.303 in) machine guns: single or twin machine guns in the nose turret, one in the dorsal turret
  • Bombs: 300 kg (660 lb) (small run) or 500 kg (1,100 lb)(heavy run) of bombs

See also edit

Related lists

References edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ a b Mikesh and Abe 1990, p. 186.

Bibliography edit

  • The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing. p. 2520.
  • Francillon, Ph.D., René J. (1979). Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War. London: Putnam & Company Ltd. ISBN 0-370-30251-6.
  • Lake, Jon (2002). Great Book of Bombers. pp86: Zenith Press. ISBN 0-7603-1347-4.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  • Mikesh, Robert C. (1990). Japanese Aircraft, 1910-1941. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-563-2.
  • Passingham, Malcolm (March 1999). "Les bombardiers de l'Armée japonaise (1920–1935) 2ème partie et fin" [Japanese Army Bombers (1920–1935)]. Avions: Toute l'aéronautique et son histoire (in French) (72): 29–36. ISSN 1243-8650.
  • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions.

External links edit

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mitsubishi Ki-2.

    December 15, 2023
    mitsubishi, 九三式双軽爆撃機, kyūsan, shiki, sōkei, bakugekiki, army, type, twin, engine, light, bomber, light, bomber, built, mitsubishi, imperial, japanese, army, service, ijaas, 1930s, allied, nickname, louise, despite, antiquated, appearance, successfully, used, m. The Mitsubishi Ki 2 九三式双軽爆撃機 Kyusan shiki sōkei bakugekiki Army Type 93 Twin engine Light Bomber was a light bomber built by Mitsubishi for the Imperial Japanese Army Air Service IJAAS in the 1930s Its Allied nickname was Louise Despite its antiquated appearance the Ki 2 was successfully used in Manchukuo and in North China during the early stages of the Second Sino Japanese War in areas where danger from enemy fighter aircraft was minimal It was later used in a training role Ki 2Mitsubishi Ki 2 I Army Type 93 I Twin engine Light Bomber Role Light bomberManufacturer Mitsubishi Heavy IndustriesFirst flight May 1933Primary user Imperial Japanese Army Air Service IJAAS Produced 1933 1938Number built 187 Contents 1 Design and development 2 Operational history 3 Variants 4 Operators 5 Specifications Ki 2 I 6 See also 7 References 8 Notes 9 Bibliography 10 External linksDesign and development editThe Ki 2 was a low wing cantilever monoplane with corrugated metal alloy decking twin fins with rudders fixed divided landing gear and was powered by two 435 hp 324 kW Nakajima Kotobuki radial engines Maximum speed was 225 km h 140 mph normal range 900 km 490 nmi 560 mi and maximum take off weight 4 550 kg 10 030 lb Single 7 7 mm 0 303 in machine guns were mounted in a semi enclosed nose and dorsal positions and it could carry a maximum bomb load of 500 kg 1 100 lb The Ki 2 was like its stable mate the Mitsubishi Ki 1 an adaptation of the Junkers S36 first flown in 1927 Militarized into the Junkers K37 by Junker s Swedish subsidiary AB Flygindustri at Limhamn near Malmo in Sweden it was able to reach altitudes unattainable by contemporary fighter aircraft However by 1930 this advantage had been lost due to developments such as the Bristol Bulldog fighter and Junkers was unsuccessful in selling the design In 1931 representatives of the Mitsubishi Nainenki K K in Japan visited the Limhamn facilities to study some of the military conversions of Junkers aircraft and purchased the sole K37 prototype S AABP ex D 1252 S36 prototype as well as all development papers signing a contract for licensed production The K37 prototype was brought to Japan and tested in combat in the Manchurian Incident of 1931 following which the IJAAS authorized Mitsubishi to produce both heavy and light bomber variations The Mitsubishi Ki 1 heavy bomber was a much larger new design following only the general arrangement of the K37 and first flew in August 1932 The Mitsubishi Ki 2 light bomber version a minimally re designed K37 flew for the first time in May 1933 The fuselage was redesigned by Mitsubishi but the wings were kept largely unchanged except for additional ailerons Mitsubishi built total of 113 aircraft and an additional 13 aircraft were built by Kawasaki Kōkuki Kōgyō KK from 1933 to 1936 1 An up graded version was produced in quantity as the Ki 2 II Army Type 93 II Twin engined Light Bomber with nose turret and semi retractable main landing gear and powered by two 559 hp 417 kW Mitsubishi Ha 8 Army Type 94 550hp Air Cooled Radial engines Operational history editAlthough already obsolescent by the time of its introduction it was used with great success in the counterinsurgency operations of the Pacification of Manchukuo and as well as limited use in the Second Sino Japanese War in combat in north China nbsp A Ki 2 II Army Type 93 2 Light Bomber Vulnerable to attack by enemy fighters and replaced by aircraft with greater range and payload by the late 1930s both versions ended their flying careers in the training role A civilian version of the Ki 2 II named Ohtori Phoenix was bought by the Asahi Shimbun newspaper and made a number of long range record breaking and goodwill flights from 1936 to 1939 Registered J BAAE it covered the 4 930 km 2 660 nmi 3 060 mi from Tachikawa military air base to Bangkok in 21 hours 36 minutes flying time in December 1936 and in early 1939 achieved a round China flight of some 9 300 km 5 000 nmi 5 800 mi Variants editKi 2 I Army Type 93 I Twin engined Light Bomber Initial production variant powered by two 435 hp 324 kW Nakajima Kotobuki radial engines 126 built Ki 2 II Army Type 93 II Twin engined Light Bomber Final production variant with nose turret and semi retractable main landing gear powered by two 559 hp 417 kW Mitsubishi Ha 8 Army Type 94 550hp Air Cooled Radial engines 61 built Mitsubishi Ohtori 大鳥 Ōtori phoenix lit large bird A de militarized long range record breaking aircraft operated by Asahi Shimbun 1 built Was mistakenly given the Allied reporting name of Eva or Eve nbsp Mitsubishi OhtoriOperators edit nbsp JapanImperial Japanese Army Air Service Asahi ShimbunSpecifications Ki 2 I edit nbsp 3 view drawing of the Mitsubishi Ki 2 IIData from Japanese Aircraft 1910 1941 1 General characteristicsCrew 3 Length 12 6 m 41 ft 4 in Wingspan 19 9 m 65 ft 3 in Height 4 6 m 15 ft 1 in Wing area 56 m2 600 sq ft Empty weight 2 800 kg 6 173 lb Gross weight 4 500 kg 9 921 lb Powerplant 2 Nakajima Kotobuki 9 cylinder air cooled radial engines 324 kW 435 hp each Propellers 2 bladed wooden fixed pitch propellerPerformance Maximum speed 225 km h 140 mph 121 kn Range 900 km 560 mi 490 nmi Service ceiling 7 000 m 23 000 ft Armament Guns 2 to 3 7 7 mm 0 303 in machine guns single or twin machine guns in the nose turret one in the dorsal turret Bombs 300 kg 660 lb small run or 500 kg 1 100 lb heavy run of bombsSee also editRelated lists List of military aircraft of JapanReferences editNotes edit a b Mikesh and Abe 1990 p 186 harvnb error no target CITEREFMikesh and Abe1990 help Bibliography editThe Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft Part Work 1982 1985 Orbis Publishing p 2520 Francillon 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 C 1990 Japanese Aircraft 1910 1941 Annapolis MD Naval Institute Press ISBN 1 55750 563 2 Passingham Malcolm March 1999 Les bombardiers de l Armee japonaise 1920 1935 2eme partie et fin Japanese Army Bombers 1920 1935 Avions Toute l aeronautique et son histoire in French 72 29 36 ISSN 1243 8650 Taylor Michael J H 1989 Jane s Encyclopedia of Aviation London Studio Editions External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mitsubishi Ki 2 Junkers Aircraft of the 1920s Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Mitsubishi Ki 2 amp oldid 1183637441, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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