Nakajima Ki-201

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Nakajima Ki-201
Karyu.png
Type: Fighter plane , fighter-bomber
Design country:

Japanese EmpireJapanese Empire Japan

Manufacturer:

Nakajima

First flight:

not completed

Number of pieces:

1 prototype, not finished

The Nakajima Ki-201 Karyū ( Japanese 中 島 キ -201 火龍 "fire dragon") was an aircraft project of the Japanese manufacturer Nakajima Hikōki at the end of the Second World War .

history

The predecessor of the Karyū was the Nakajima Kikka . Some of the characteristics of the Messerschmitt Me 262 have already flowed into this , but they are not really very similar. The Karyū, however, was very similar to the Me 262. It was to become the ultimate jet fighter of the Japanese navy and army. The increasing pressure from the Allies forced Japan to search for new solutions. Some Japanese designers developed unusual constructions, others optimized the existing models. Ultimately, they sometimes achieved a technical tie or even a slight superiority over the Allied fighter aircraft. Quality problems and, above all, the great lack of experienced pilots, paired with hasty and inadequate training, made this seem like a dead end. Therefore, the jet aircraft should be the ultimate solution.

Due to the great urgency of the time, Japan relied on information from the German Empire. This also included plans for the BMW 003 engine , which was produced as the Ne-20 . Since the Kikka was primarily designed as a bomber - even if there were variants equipped with cannons - and due to the weak Ne-20, it could not have any clear superiority, the Karyū should become the superior standard fighter.

When data about the Me 262 became known, it was decided to save valuable development time by using its aerodynamic design.

It appears that Nakajima carried out the development without government mandate or funding. Nakajima aimed at the army as the main buyer, but the army had already committed itself to the Rikugun Ki-202 Shusui-Kai, a variant of the Mitsubishi J8M Shusui. The Navy showed no interest either. Therefore, the work ran with low priority and stopped again and again. According to the plan, the first flight was to take place in December 1945, followed by a pilot series of 18 aircraft by March 1946. The end of the war in August 1945 prevented both.

The more powerful Ne-230 or Ne-330 was provided as the engine . Variants with two pairs of Ne-130 were also examined. The army and navy versions differed essentially in their armament.

A TaKi-15 should be used as on-board radar.

Technical specifications

Parameter Army version data Data marine version
crew 1
length 11.5 m
span 13.70 m
height 4.05 m
Wing area 25.0 m²
Empty mass 4500 kg
Takeoff mass 7000 kg
Top speed 850 km / h
Service ceiling 12,000 m
Range 978 km
Engines two Ne-130 or Ne-230
Armament two 30 mm type 5 cannons
two 20 mm type 99 cannons
one 500 kg or 800 kg bomb 		two 30 mm Ho-155-II cannons
two 20 mm Ho-5 cannons

See also

Web links

Commons : Nakajima Ki-201  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files