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{{More footnotes|date=April 2009}}
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<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
{|{{Infobox Aircraft Begin
{|{{Infobox Aircraft Begin
|name=Ki-4
|name=Ki-4
|image=Image:Nakajima Ki-4.jpg
|image=Nakajima Ki-4.jpg
|size=300px
|caption=Nakajima Ki-4<br>(Army Type 94 Reconnaissance aircraft)
|caption=Nakajima Ki-4<br>(Army Type 94 Reconnaissance aircraft)
}}{{Infobox Aircraft Type
}}{{Infobox Aircraft Type
|type= Reconnaissance, Light Ground Attack, Trainer, Target Tug
|type=[[Reconnaissance]], Light [[Ground-attack aircraft|Ground-Attack]], [[Trainer (aircraft)|Trainer]], [[Target tug|Target Tug]]
|manufacturer=[[Nakajima Aircraft Company]]
|manufacturer=[[Nakajima Aircraft Company]]
|designer=
|designer=
Line 15: Line 16:
|primary user=[[Imperial Japanese Army Air Force|IJA Air Force]]
|primary user=[[Imperial Japanese Army Air Force|IJA Air Force]]
|more users=[[Manchukuo Air Force]]
|more users=[[Manchukuo Air Force]]
|produced=383
|produced=516
|number built=
|number built=
|variants with their own articles=
|variants with their own articles=
}}
}}
|}
|}
The {{nihongo|'''Nakajima Ki-4'''|九四式偵察機|Kyūyon-shiki teisatsuki}} was the last [[biplane]] [[reconnaissance aircraft]] of the [[Japanese Imperial Army]]. It saw combat service in [[Manchukuo]] and in [[north China]] during the early stages of the [[Second Sino-Japanese War]].


The '''Nakajima Ki-4''' {{nihongo||九四式偵察機|Kyūyon-shiki teisatsuki}} was the last [[biplane]] [[reconnaissance aircraft]] of the [[Japanese Imperial Army]]. It saw combat service in [[Manchukuo]] and in [[north China]] during the early stages of the [[Second Sino-Japanese War]].
==Design & Development==
The Ki-4 was initially produced by [[Nakajima Aircraft Company|Nakajima]] in response to a 1931 specification for a high performance [[reconnaissance aircraft]] that could also be used in the light [[ground support]] role. After evaluating aircraft from [[Europe]] and the [[United States]], the [[Imperial Japanese Army Air Force]] selected a new design by the domestic Nakajima Aircraft Company. The prototype was test flow in 1934.


==Design and development==
The Nakajima Ki-4 was a [[biplane]] design with staggered wings and fixed divided [[landing gear]]. It was powered by one {{Convert|477|kW|hp|-1|abbr=on}}　Nakajima Ha-8 , 9-cylinder, air-cooled [[radial engine]]. Maximum speed was {{Auto km/h|300|-1}} and maximum take-off weight {{Auto kg|2500|1}}. It was armed with up to four 7.7mm [[machine gun]]s, two fixed to fire forward, synchronized with the [[propeller]], and one or two more mounted dorsally on a flexible mount. The maximum bomb load was {{Auto kg|50|0}}.
The Ki-4 was initially produced by [[Nakajima Aircraft Company|Nakajima]] in response to a 1931 specification for a high-performance [[reconnaissance aircraft]] that could also be used in the light [[Close air support|ground support]] role. After evaluating aircraft from [[Europe]] and the [[United States]], the [[Imperial Japanese Army Air Force]] selected a new design by the domestic Nakajima Aircraft Company. The [[prototype]] was test flown in May 1934.<ref name="MikeshAbe1990p216">{{Harvnb|Mikesh|Abe|1990|p=216}}</ref>


The Nakajima Ki-4 was a biplane design with [[Stagger (aviation)|staggered]] wings and fixed divided [[landing gear]]. It was powered by one {{cvt|477|kW}} Nakajima Ha-8, nine-cylinder, air-cooled [[radial engine]]. Maximum speed was {{cvt|300|kph}} and maximum take-off weight {{cvt|2500|kg}}. It was armed with up to four {{cvt|7.7|mm|3}} [[machine gun]]s, two fixed to fire forward, synchronized with the [[propeller (aircraft)|propeller]], and one or two more mounted dorsally on a flexible mount. The maximum bomb load was {{cvt|50|kg}}.
A total of 383 units were produced, mostly by Nakajima from 1935-1941, and some under license by [[Tachikawa Aircraft Company Ltd]] and by [[Manshūkoku Hikōki Seizo KK]] in [[Manchukuo]].

A total of 516 units were produced, 333 by Nakajima between March 1934 and February 1939, and 57 under license by [[Tachikawa Aircraft Company Ltd]] and another 126 by [[Manshūkoku Hikōki Seizo KK|Manshū]] in [[Manchukuo]] ([[Manchuria]]).<ref name="MikeshAbe1990p217"/>


==Operational history==
==Operational history==
The first Ki-4s began equipping [[Imperial Japanese Army Air Force]] units in 1935 and were an active part of Japanese fighter squadrons for a number of years thereafter. The Ki-4s saw substantial service in the early stages [[Second Sino-Japanese War]] from 1938. They also functioned as light [[ground attack aircraft]] in the support of advancing Japanese ground troops. However, these biplanes were vulnerable to even the oldest and slowest moving enemy fighters. By the time of the entry of Japan into [[World War II]], the Ki-4s were regarded as obsolete. A number were still retained for use in the supply and liaison role from 1941, and others were transferred to the [[Manchukuo Air Force]], but those that had not been lost in service served briefly as [[trainer aircraft|elementary trainers]] or target tugs before being scrapped. All of the Ki-4s were removed from active service by 1943.
The first Ki-4s began equipping [[Imperial Japanese Army Air Force]] units in 1935 and were an active part of Japanese [[Fighter aircraft|fighter]] squadrons for a number of years thereafter. The Ki-4s saw substantial service in the early stages of the Second Sino-Japanese War from 1938. They also functioned as light [[ground-attack aircraft]] in the support of advancing Japanese ground troops. However, these biplanes were vulnerable to even the oldest and slowest moving enemy fighters. By the time of the entry of Japan into [[World War II]], the Ki-4s were regarded as obsolete. A number were still retained for use in the supply and [[Liaison aircraft|liaison]] role from 1941, and others were transferred to the [[Manchukuo Air Force]], but those that had not been lost in service served briefly as [[Trainer (aircraft)|elementary trainers]] or [[target tug]]s before being scrapped. All of the Ki-4s were removed from active service by 1943.


Two Ki-4s were tested as [[seaplane]]s, one with twin floats and the other with one main and two stabilizing floats, but neither version was placed into production.
Two Ki-4s were tested as [[seaplane]]s, one with twin floats and the other with one main and two stabilizing floats, but neither version was placed into production.<ref name="MikeshAbe1990p217"/>


==Variants==
==Variants==
* '''Ki-4 (Army Type 94 Reconnaissance aircraft) '''
* '''Ki-4''' ('''Army Type 94 Reconnaissance Aircraft''')


==Operators==
==Operators==
===Military operators===
;{{flag|Japan}}
;{{flag|Japan}}
* [[Imperial Japanese Army Air Force]]
* [[Imperial Japanese Army Air Force]]
Line 44: Line 45:
* [[Manchukuo Air Force]]
* [[Manchukuo Air Force]]


==Specifications==
==Specifications (Ki-4)==
{{Aircraft specs

|ref=''Japanese Aircraft, 1910–1941''<ref name="MikeshAbe1990p217">{{Harvnb|Mikesh|Abe|1990|p=217.}}</ref>
{{aircraft specifications
|prime units?=met
|plane or copter?=plane
<!--
|jet or prop?=prop
General characteristics
|ref=
-->
|crew= 2
|crew=2
|capacity=
|length m=7.73
|payload main=
|payload alt=
|length note=
|span m=12
|length main=7.73 m
|span note=
|length alt=25 ft 4 in
|height m=3.5
|span main=12.00 m
|height note=
|span alt=38 ft 4 in
|wing area sqm=29.7
|height main= 3.50 m
|wing area note=
|height alt=11 ft 5 in
|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|area main=29.7 m2
|area alt=319.7 ft2
|airfoil=
|airfoil=
|empty weight main=1,664 kg
|empty weight kg=1664
|empty weight alt=3,668 lb
|empty weight note=
|loaded weight main=2,474 kg
|gross weight kg=2474
|loaded weight alt=5,454 lb
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight kg=
|useful load main=
|max takeoff weight note=
|useful load alt=
|fuel capacity=
|max takeoff weight main=2,616 kg
|max takeoff weight alt=5,767 lb
|more general=
|more general=
<!--
|engine (jet)=
Powerplant
|type of jet=
-->
|number of jets=
|eng1 number= 1
|thrust main=
|eng1 name=Nakajima Ha-8 ("Army Type 94 550hp Air Cooled Radial")
|thrust alt=
|eng1 type=9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine
|thrust original=
|eng1 kw=<!-- prop engines -->
|afterburning thrust main=
|eng1 hp=600
|afterburning thrust alt=
|eng1 note=for take-off
|engine (prop)=Nakajima Ha-8, 9-cylinder, air-cooled radial piston engine
::::{{cvt|640|hp|order=flip}} at {{cvt|4000|m}}{{citation needed|date=June 2019}}
|type of prop=

|number of props=1
|prop blade number=2
|power main=447 KW
|prop name=controllable-pitch metal propeller
|power alt=640 hp
|prop dia m=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|power original=
|prop dia note=
|propeller or rotor?=
<!--
|propellers=
Performance
|number of propellers per engine=
-->
|propeller diameter main=
|max speed kmh=153
|propeller diameter alt=
|max speed main=283 km/h at 2,400 m
|max speed note=at {{cvt|2400|m}}
|max speed alt=176 mph at 7,874 ft
|cruise speed kmh=
|cruise speed main=
|cruise speed note=
|cruise speed alt=
|stall speed kmh=
|stall speed main=
|stall speed note=
|stall speed alt=
|never exceed speed kmh=
|never exceed speed main=
|never exceed speed note=
|range km=
|never exceed speed alt=
|range main=1,200 km
|range note=
|range alt=745 mi
|combat range km=
|combat range note=
|ceiling main=8,000 m
|ferry range km=
|ceiling alt=26,246 ft
|climb rate main=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|climb rate alt=
|ceiling m=8000
|loading main=
|loading alt=
|ceiling note=
|g limits=<!-- aerobatic -->
|thrust/weight=
|roll rate=<!-- aerobatic -->
|power/mass main=
|climb rate ms=
|power/mass alt=
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude={{cvt|3000|m}} in 9 minutes
|wing loading kg/m2=82.5
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption kg/km=
|power/mass={{cvt|0.11|hp/lb|order=flip}}
|more performance=
|more performance=
<!--
|guns=Up to 4 × 7.7 mm (0.303 in) machine guns
Armament
|bombs=50 kg (110 lb)
-->
|rockets=
|guns=Up to 4 × {{cvt|7.7|mm|3}} machine guns (2 fixed-forward firing synchronized and 1 or 2 on a flexible mount in the rear cockpit)
|missiles=
|bombs={{cvt|50|kg}}{{citation needed|date=June 2019}}
|hardpoints=
|hardpoint capacity=
|avionics=
}}
}}


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{{aircontent
{{aircontent
|related=
|related=
|similar aircraft=
|similar aircraft=
|lists=
|lists=
|see also=* [[List of military aircraft of Japan]]
|see also=
* [[List of military aircraft of Japan]]
}}
}}


==References==
==References==
;Notes
*{{cite book|last=Francillon|first=Rene|year=1979|title=Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War|publisher=Putnam|location=|id=AISN B000OK9ETY}}
{{reflist|2}}
*{{cite book|last=Mikesh|first=Robert|year=1990|title=Japanese Aircraft 1910-1941|publisher=Naval Institute Press|location=|isbn=1557505632}}
;Bibliography
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite book|last=Francillon|first=René J.|year=1979|title=Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War|publisher=Putnam & Company Ltd.|location=London|isbn=0-370-30251-6}}
*{{cite book|last=Mikesh|first=Robert C.|first2=Shorzoe|last2=Abe|year=1990|title=Japanese Aircraft, 1910-1941|publisher=Naval Institute Press|location=Annapolis, MD|isbn=1-55750-563-2}}
{{refend}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category|Nakajima Ki-4}}
*[http://www.aviastar.org/air/japan/a_nakajima.html Virtual Aircraft Museum]
*[http://www.ne.jp/asahi/airplane/museum/nakajima/naka-cont-e.html History of Nakajima Aircraft]]
* [http://www.ne.jp/asahi/airplane/museum/nakajima/naka-cont-e.html History of Nakajima Aircraft]
* [http://ndlonline.ndl.go.jp/#!/detail/R300000001-I024881858-00 Operations Manual for Type 94 Reconnaissance Plane – National Diet Library]


{{Nakajima aircraft}}
{{Japanese Army Aircraft Designation System}}
{{Japanese Army Aircraft Designation System}}
{{aviation lists}}


[[Category:Propeller aircraft]]
[[Category:1930s Japanese military reconnaissance aircraft|Ki-04, Nakajima]]
[[Category:Biplane aircraft]]
[[Category:Single engine aircraft]]
[[Category:Japanese military reconnaissance aircraft 1930-1939|Ki-04, Nakajima]]
[[Category:Nakajima aircraft|Ki-004]]
[[Category:Nakajima aircraft|Ki-004]]
[[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]]

[[Category:Biplanes]]
[[ja:九四式偵察機]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1933]]
[[vi:Nakajima Ki-4]]
[[zh:九四式偵察機]]

Latest revision as of 14:51, 15 March 2024

Ki-4
Nakajima Ki-4
(Army Type 94 Reconnaissance aircraft)
Role Reconnaissance, Light Ground-Attack, Trainer, Target Tug
Manufacturer Nakajima Aircraft Company
First flight 1933
Introduction 1934
Retired 1943
Primary users IJA Air Force
Manchukuo Air Force
Produced 516

The Nakajima Ki-4 Kyūyon-shiki teisatsuki (九四式偵察機) was the last biplane reconnaissance aircraft of the Japanese Imperial Army. It saw combat service in Manchukuo and in north China during the early stages of the Second Sino-Japanese War.

Design and development[edit]

The Ki-4 was initially produced by Nakajima in response to a 1931 specification for a high-performance reconnaissance aircraft that could also be used in the light ground support role. After evaluating aircraft from Europe and the United States, the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force selected a new design by the domestic Nakajima Aircraft Company. The prototype was test flown in May 1934.[1]

The Nakajima Ki-4 was a biplane design with staggered wings and fixed divided landing gear. It was powered by one 477 kW (640 hp) Nakajima Ha-8, nine-cylinder, air-cooled radial engine. Maximum speed was 300 km/h (190 mph) and maximum take-off weight 2,500 kg (5,500 lb). It was armed with up to four 7.7 mm (0.303 in) machine guns, two fixed to fire forward, synchronized with the propeller, and one or two more mounted dorsally on a flexible mount. The maximum bomb load was 50 kg (110 lb).

A total of 516 units were produced, 333 by Nakajima between March 1934 and February 1939, and 57 under license by Tachikawa Aircraft Company Ltd and another 126 by Manshū in Manchukuo (Manchuria).[2]

Operational history[edit]

The first Ki-4s began equipping Imperial Japanese Army Air Force units in 1935 and were an active part of Japanese fighter squadrons for a number of years thereafter. The Ki-4s saw substantial service in the early stages of the Second Sino-Japanese War from 1938. They also functioned as light ground-attack aircraft in the support of advancing Japanese ground troops. However, these biplanes were vulnerable to even the oldest and slowest moving enemy fighters. By the time of the entry of Japan into World War II, the Ki-4s were regarded as obsolete. A number were still retained for use in the supply and liaison role from 1941, and others were transferred to the Manchukuo Air Force, but those that had not been lost in service served briefly as elementary trainers or target tugs before being scrapped. All of the Ki-4s were removed from active service by 1943.

Two Ki-4s were tested as seaplanes, one with twin floats and the other with one main and two stabilizing floats, but neither version was placed into production.[2]

Variants[edit]

  • Ki-4 (Army Type 94 Reconnaissance Aircraft)

Operators[edit]

 Japan
 Manchukuo

Specifications (Ki-4)[edit]

Data from Japanese Aircraft, 1910–1941[2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 7.73 m (25 ft 4 in)
  • Wingspan: 12 m (39 ft 4 in)
  • Height: 3.5 m (11 ft 6 in)
  • Wing area: 29.7 m2 (320 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 1,664 kg (3,668 lb)
  • Gross weight: 2,474 kg (5,454 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Nakajima Ha-8 ("Army Type 94 550hp Air Cooled Radial") 9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 450 kW (600 hp) for take-off
480 kW (640 hp) at 4,000 m (13,000 ft)[citation needed]
  • Propellers: 2-bladed controllable-pitch metal propeller

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 153 km/h (95 mph, 83 kn) at 2,400 m (7,900 ft)
  • Service ceiling: 8,000 m (26,000 ft)
  • Time to altitude: 3,000 m (9,800 ft) in 9 minutes
  • Wing loading: 82.5 kg/m2 (16.9 lb/sq ft)
  • Power/mass: 0.18 kW/kg (0.11 hp/lb)

Armament

  • Guns: Up to 4 × 7.7 mm (0.303 in) machine guns (2 fixed-forward firing synchronized and 1 or 2 on a flexible mount in the rear cockpit)
  • Bombs: 50 kg (110 lb)[citation needed]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

Notes
  1. ^ Mikesh & Abe 1990, p. 216
  2. ^ a b c Mikesh & Abe 1990, p. 217.
Bibliography
  • Francillon, René J. (1979). Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War. London: Putnam & Company Ltd. ISBN 0-370-30251-6.
  • Mikesh, Robert C.; Abe, Shorzoe (1990). Japanese Aircraft, 1910-1941. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-563-2.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nakajima Ki-4.
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