Summary
The Nakajima Ki-201 Karyū (中島 キ201 火龍, "Fire Dragon") was a Japanese jet fighter aircraft-attack aircraft project designed during the final stages of World War II but which was never completed.
| Ki-201 "Karyū" | |
|---|---|
| |
| Nakajima Ki-201 Karyū | |
| Role | Fighter/Attack aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Nakajima Aircraft Company |
| Designer | Iwao Shibuya |
| Status | Cancelled |
| Number built | 0 |
Development edit
The Nakajima Kikka had been inspired by the successful German Messerschmitt Me 262, but the similarities to that aircraft were limited to the general configuration.[1] On the other hand, the design team led by Iwao Shibuya based the Karyū far more closely on the German aircraft, which had already proven itself quite formidable.
The Ki-201 project was ordered by the Imperial Japanese Army between October and December 1944, with the Army laying out a performance requirement of an 800–1,000 km/h (500–620 mph) top speed, 12,000 m (39,000 ft) practical ceiling, and 800–1,000 km (500–620 mi) range. The design was advanced by Nakajima during 1945 and the basic drawings were completed in June.[2]
Nakajima anticipated the completion of the first Karyū by December 1945, and the first 18 units by March 1946.[2] Most sources agree that work on the first prototype had not yet begun by the time of the Japanese surrender.[1][2]
Specifications (planned specification) edit
Data from Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War;[3] Famous Aircraft of the World, first series, no.76: Japanese Army Experimental Fighters (1)[4]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 11.50 m (37 ft 9 in)
- Wingspan: 13.70 m (44 ft 11 in)
- Height: 4.05 m (13 ft 3 in)
- Wing area: 25.0 m2 (269 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 4,500 kg (9,921 lb)
- Gross weight: 7,000 kg (15,432 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 8,500 kg (18,739 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 × Nakajima Ne-230 turbojet engines, 8.68 kN (1,951 lbf) thrust each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 812 km/h (505 mph, 438 kn)
- Range: 980 km (610 mi, 530 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 12,000 m (39,000 ft)
- Rate of climb: 12.9 m/s (2,540 ft/min)
- Wing loading: 280 kg/m2 (57 lb/sq ft)
Armament
- Guns: 2 × 30 mm (1.18 in) Ho-155 cannon and 2 × 20 mm Ho-5 cannon
- Bombs: 1 × 500kg (1,102 lb) or 800 kg (1,764 lb) bomb
See also edit
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
References edit
Notes edit
- ^ a b Mikesh 1979, p. 28
- ^ a b c FAOW. 1976. p. 82.
- ^ Francillon 1979, p. 488.
- ^ FAOW 1976, p. 42.
Bibliography edit
- Francillon, René J. (1979). Japanese aircraft of the Pacific War. London: Putnam. ISBN 0-370-30251-6. OCLC 6124909. (new edition 1987 by Putnam Aeronautical Books, ISBN 0-85177-801-1.)
- Green, William (1973) [1961]. War Planes of the Second World War: Fighters, Volume Three (Seventh impression ed.). London: Macdonald. ISBN 0-356-01447-9..
- Mikesh, Robert C. (1979). Kikka. Monogram Close-Up 19. Bolyston, Massachusetts: Monogram Aviation Publications. ISBN 0-914144-19-7..
- Japanese Army Experimental Fighters (1). Famous Aircraft of the World, first series, no.76. Japan: Bunrin-Do Co. Ltd. August 1976.
External links edit
- The Nakajima Ki-201 Karyu – j-aircraft.org