Nakajima Ki-115
Nakajima Ki-115 | |
---|---|
Type: | Kamikaze bombers |
Design country: | |
Manufacturer: | |
First flight: |
March 1945 |
Commissioning: |
- |
Production time: |
1945 |
Number of pieces: |
104 (or 105) |
The Nakajima Ki-115 Tsurugi (saber) , was a Japanese single-seat kamikaze dive bomber during World War II .
history
In 1945 the Imperial Japanese Army commissioned Nakajima to develop a kamikaze bomber that could carry an 800 kg bomb. Since the high command feared that there would not be enough obsolete warplanes to counter the anticipated Allied invasion of the main islands, masses of a simple, cheap-to-build plane were supposed to fight the Allied ships with suicide attacks. In the corresponding plans, there was talk of a production rate of 8,000 pieces per month.
construction
The aircraft was a very simple construction and consisted of "non-strategically important materials"; especially wood and steel. The chassis was thrown off after takeoff; the trunk cross-section was round and not, as usual, elliptical (so the trunk was easier to manufacture). In terms of engines, whatever was available should be used. In addition, two additional rocket engines were planned for take-off and the final dive.
power
The aircraft's only armament consisted of an 800 kg bomb (sometimes several smaller ones). With its moderate top speed and really miserable flight characteristics, the Ki-115 would have been easy prey for the Allied fighters; In contrast to the Yokosuka MXY-7 , however, there was not a single use of the pattern.
Technical specifications
Parameter | Data Nakajima Ki-115a |
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crew | 1 |
length | 8.55 m |
span | 8.60 m |
height | 3.30 m |
Wing area | 12.40 m² |
Empty mass | 1640 kg |
Takeoff mass | 2880 kg |
Top speed | 550 km / h at an altitude of 2800 m |
Range | 1200 km |
Engines | a double radial engine Nakajima Ha-35 with 1130 PS (843 kW) |
Armament | a bomb weighing up to 800 kg |