The Kawasaki Ki-64 (Allied code name: Rob) was a one-off prototype of an experimental heavy, single seat, fighter. It had two unusual design features. First; it had two Kawasaki Ha-40 engines in tandem; one in the aircraft nose, the other behind the cockpit, both being connected by a drive shaft. This combination (called the Kawasaki Ha-201) drove two, three-bladed, contra-rotating propellers.[1][2] The second feature was the use of the wing surface as a radiator for the water-cooled engines.[3] The aircraft first flew in December 1943. During the fifth flight, the rear engine caught fire; and while the aircraft made an emergency landing, it was damaged. The aircraft was subsequently abandoned in mid-1944 in favour of more promising projects. The airframe survived the war, and parts of the unique cooling system were sent to Wright Field for examination.[4]
Ki-64 | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Role | Fighter Type of aircraft |
Manufacturer | Kawasaki Kōkūki Kōgyō K.K. |
First flight | December 1943 |
Status | Cancelled 1944 |
Primary user | Imperial Japanese Army |
Number built | 1 |
Data from Warplanes of the Second World War, Volume Three: Fighters;[5] WW2 Aircraft Fact Files: Japanese Army Fighters, Part 1;[4] Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War[6]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
Kawasaki aircraft | |
---|---|
Company designations | |
Imperial Japanese Army designations | |
Japanese Self-Defense Force designations | |
Joint ventures | |
Licensed production | |
World War II Allied reporting names |
Imperial Japanese Army Air Service aircraft designations | |
---|---|
1-50 | |
51-100 | |
100- |
World War II Allied reporting names for Japanese aircraft | |
---|---|
Aircraft in Japanese service |
|
Foreign aircraft thought to be in Japanese service |