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The Tachikawa Ki-74 (Allied reporting name "Patsy") was a Japanese experimental long-range reconnaissance bomber of World War II. A twin-engine, mid-wing monoplane, it was developed for the Imperial Japanese Army Air Service but never deployed in combat. The Ki-74 was designed for high altitude operation with a pressurized cabin for its crew.

Ki-74
Role	Long-range reconnaissance bomber Type of aircraft
Manufacturer	Tachikawa Aircraft Company
First flight	March 1944
Primary user	Imperial Japanese Army Air Service
Number built	16

Development

Though already conceived in 1939 as a long-range reconnaissance aircraft capable of reaching west of Lake Baikal when operating from bases in Manchukuo (Manchuria), the initial prototype Ki-74 only first flew as late as March 1944, after its development and primary mission requirement had been changed to capability of bombing and reconnaissance over the mainland United States.[1] The aircraft was powered by two 1,641 kW (2,201 hp) Mitsubishi Ha-211-I [Ha-43-I] radial engines. The subsequent two prototypes were powered by the turbo-supercharged Mitsubishi Ha-211-I Ru [Ha-43-II]; these experienced teething troubles and the following thirteen pre-production machines substituted the Ha-211 Ru engine for the lower-powered but more reliable turbo-supercharged Mitsubishi Ha-104 Ru (Army Type 4 1,900 hp Air Cooled Radial).[2] The aircraft was fitted with self-sealing fuel tanks, armor and a pressurized cabin for its crew of 5.[3]

Operational history

The Ki-74 did not progress beyond developmental testing to see operational service in combat. Nevertheless, the Allies knew of the type's existence and assigned the codename "Patsy" after it was discovered that it was a bomber, not a fighter (previously it had been assigned the codename "Pat" in Allied Intelligence).[4]

Specifications (Ki-74)

Data from The Imperial Japanese Secret Weapons Museum ;[5] Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War[4]

General characteristics

• Crew: 5
• Capacity: 9,200 kg (20,300 lb)
• Length: 17.65 m (57 ft 11 in)
• Wingspan: 18.6 m (61 ft 0 in)
• Height: 5.1 m (16 ft 9 in)
• Wing area: 80 m² (860 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 10,200 kg (22,487 lb)
• Gross weight: 19,400 kg (42,770 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × Mitsubishi Ha104 Ru turbo-supercharged 18-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines, 1,500 kW (2,000 hp) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 570 km/h (350 mph, 310 kn)
• Cruise speed: 400 km/h (250 mph, 220 kn)
• Range: 8,000 km (5,000 mi, 4,300 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 12,000 m (39,000 ft)
• Wing loading: 242.5 kg/m² (49.7 lb/sq ft)
• Power/mass: 0.154 kW/kg (0.093 hp/lb; 0.206 hp/kg)

Armament

• 1 x 12.7 mm (0.500 in) Ho-103 machine gun
• 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) bomb load

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

• de Havilland Mosquito
• Henschel Hs 130
• Junkers Ju 388
• North American XB-28 Dragon

References

Notes

Bibliography

External links

• Ki-74 Patsy at www.hikotai.net
• Ki-74 Patsy at ww2drawings.jexiste.fr
• Ki-74 Patsy at The Imperial Japanese Secret Weapons Museum

На других языках

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- [en] Tachikawa Ki-74

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[fr] Tachikawa Ki-74

Le Tachikawa Ki-74 était un bombardier et avion de reconnaissance longue distance expérimental japonais de la Seconde Guerre mondiale. Monoplan bimoteur à mi-aile, il fut développé pour le service aérien de l'armée impériale japonaise mais n'a jamais été déployé en mission de combat. Malgré son utilisation, il n'était pas officiellement mis en service. Son nom de code allié était Pat, puis devint Patsy.

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[it] Tachikawa Ki-74

Il Tachikawa Ki-74 (立川 キ74?), al quale venne assegnato dagli alleati il nome in codice Patsy[2], precedentemente Pat, fu un aereo da ricognizione/bombardiere a lungo raggio bimotore, monoplano ad ala media, sviluppato dall'azienda aeronautica giapponese Tachikawa Hikōki KK dai tardi anni trenta fino a tutta la prima parte anni quaranta.

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