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<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
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{|{{Infobox Aircraft Begin
{|{{Infobox Aircraft Begin
|name=Ki-4
|name= Ki-4
|image=Image:Nakajima Ki-4.jpg
|image= Image:Nakajima Ki-4.jpg
|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 aircraft|Ground-Attack]], [[Trainer (aircraft)|Trainer]], [[Target tug|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=
|first flight=1933
|first flight= 1933
|introduced=1934
|introduced= 1934
|retired=1943
|retired= 1943
|status=
|status=
|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 {{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]].


==Design & Development==
==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 [[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 flow in 1934.
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 flow in May 1934<ref name="MikeshAbe1990p216">{{Harvnb|Mikesh and Abe|1990|p=216.}}</ref>.


The Nakajima Ki-4 was a biplane design with [[Stagger (aviation)|staggered]] wings and fixed divided [[Undercarriage|landing gear]]. It was powered by one {{convert|477|kW|hp|abbr=on}} Nakajima Ha-8, nine-cylinder, air-cooled [[radial engine]]. Maximum speed was {{convert|300|km/h|mph|-1|abbr=on}} and maximum take-off weight {{convert|2500|kg|lb|-1|abbr=on}}. It was armed with up to four 7.7&nbsp;mm (.303&nbsp;in) [[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 {{convert|50|kg|lb|-1|abbr=on}}.
The Nakajima Ki-4 was a biplane design with [[Stagger (aviation)|staggered]] wings and fixed divided [[Undercarriage|landing gear]]. It was powered by one {{convert|477|kW|hp|abbr=on}} Nakajima Ha-8, nine-cylinder, air-cooled [[radial engine]]. Maximum speed was {{convert|300|km/h|mph|-1|abbr=on}} and maximum take-off weight {{convert|2500|kg|lb|-1|abbr=on}}. It was armed with up to four 7.7&nbsp;mm (.303&nbsp;in) [[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 {{convert|50|kg|lb|-1|abbr=on}}.


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 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.
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 Direct Co-operation 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 47: Line 45:
==Specifications==
==Specifications==
{{aircraft specifications
{{aircraft specifications
|plane or copter?=plane
|plane or copter?= plane
|jet or prop?=prop
|jet or prop?= prop
|ref=''Japanese Aircraft, 1910–1941''<ref name="MikeshAbe1990p217">{{Harvnb|Mikesh and Abe|1990|p=217.}}</ref>
|ref=
|crew= 2
|crew= 2
|capacity=
|capacity=
|payload main=
|payload main=
|payload alt=
|payload alt=
|length main=7.73 m
|length main= 7.73 m
|length alt=25 ft 4 in
|length alt= 25 ft 4 in
|span main=12.00 m
|span main= 12.00 m
|span alt=38 ft 4 in
|span alt= 38 ft 4 in
|height main= 3.50 m
|height main= 3.50 m
|height alt=11 ft 5 in
|height alt= 11 ft 5 in
|area main=29.7 m2
|area main= 29.7 m2
|area alt=319.7 ft2
|area alt= 319.7 ft2
|airfoil=
|airfoil=
|empty weight main=1,664 kg
|empty weight main= 1,664 kg
|empty weight alt=3,668 lb
|empty weight alt= 3,668 lb
|loaded weight main=2,474 kg
|loaded weight main= 2,474 kg
|loaded weight alt=5,454 lb
|loaded weight alt= 5,454 lb
|useful load main=
|useful load main=
|useful load alt=
|useful load alt=
|max takeoff weight main=2,616 kg
|max takeoff weight main= 2,616 kg
|max takeoff weight alt=5,767 lb
|max takeoff weight alt= 5,767 lb
|more general=
|more general=
|engine (jet)=
|engine (jet)=
Line 80: Line 78:
|afterburning thrust main=
|afterburning thrust main=
|afterburning thrust alt=
|afterburning thrust alt=
|engine (prop)=Nakajima Ha-8, nine-cylinder, air-cooled radial piston engine
|engine (prop)= Nakajima Ha-8
|type of prop= nine-cylinder, air-cooled radial piston engine
|type of prop=
|number of props= 1
⚫
|power main= 447 kW
|number of props=1
|power main=447 KW
|power alt= 640 hp
⚫
|power alt=640 hp
|power original=
|power original=
|propeller or rotor?=
|propeller or rotor?=
Line 91: Line 89:
|propeller diameter main=
|propeller diameter main=
|propeller diameter alt=
|propeller diameter alt=
|max speed main=283 km/h at 2,400 m
|max speed main= 283 km/h at 2,400 m
|max speed alt=176 mph at 7,874 ft
|max speed alt= 176 mph at 7,874 ft
|cruise speed main=
|cruise speed main=
|cruise speed alt=
|cruise speed alt=
Line 99: Line 97:
|never exceed speed main=
|never exceed speed main=
|never exceed speed alt=
|never exceed speed alt=
|range main=1,200 km
|range main= 1,200 km
|range alt=745 mi
|range alt= 745 mi
|ceiling main=8,000 m
|ceiling main= 8,000 m
|ceiling alt=26,246 ft
|ceiling alt= 26,246 ft
|climb rate main=
|climb rate main=
|climb rate alt=
|climb rate alt=
Line 111: Line 109:
|power/mass alt=
|power/mass alt=
|more performance=
|more performance=
|guns=Up to 4 × 7.7 mm (0.303 in) machine guns
|guns= Up to 4× 7.7 mm (0.303 in) machine guns
|bombs=50 kg (110 lb)
|bombs= 50 kg (110 lb)
|rockets=
|rockets=
|missiles=
|missiles=
Line 125: Line 123:
|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, Ph.D.|first=René J.|year=1979|title=Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War|publisher=Putnam & Company Ltd.|location=London|isbn=0370302516}}
⚫
*{{cite book|last=Mikesh|first=Robert C.|coauthor=Shorzoe Abe|year=1990|title=Japanese Aircraft, 1910-1941|publisher=Naval Institute Press|location=Annapolis, MD|isbn=1557505632}}
{{refend}}


==External links==
==External links==
*[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]


{{Japanese Army Aircraft Designation System}}
{{Japanese Army Aircraft Designation System}}

Revision as of 23:16, 19 August 2010

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 (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 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 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 (5,510 lb). It was armed with up to four 7.7 mm (.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

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

  • Ki-4 (Army Type 94 Reconnaissance Aircraft)

Operators

 Japan
 Manchukuo

Specifications

Data from Japanese Aircraft, 1910–1941[2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2

Performance Armament

  • Guns: Up to 4× 7.7 mm (0.303 in) machine guns
  • Bombs: 50 kg (110 lb)

See also

References

Notes
  1. ^ Mikesh and Abe 1990, p. 216.
  2. ^ a b c Mikesh and Abe 1990, p. 217.
Bibliography
  • Francillon, Ph.D., René J. (1979). Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War. London: Putnam & Company Ltd. ISBN 0370302516.
  • Mikesh, Robert C. (1990). Japanese Aircraft, 1910-1941. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1557505632. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthor= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nakajima_Ki-4&oldid=379866573"