Kawasaki Ki-45 Toryu (Nick) Twin Engine Fighter (1942)
The Kawasaki Ki-45 Toryu proved to be a most capable platform as a twin-engine fighter - particularly this KAIc nightfighter variant.
Design of the Ki-45 followed standard two-engine fighter design for the time. Engines were mounted on a low-wing monoplane, each engine on either side of the streamlined fuselage. Accommodations consisted of two personnel seating in a divided glazed canopy. A single tail fin made up a standard tail assembly, giving the Ki-45 a identifiable Bf 110-like appearance. Armament of the base Ki-45 KAIa consisted of one forward-firing 20mm cannon, two 12.7mm (.50 caliber machine guns mounted in the nose and a single 7.92mm self-defense machine gun in the rear cockpit position making the Ki-45 system a most potent adversary. Provision was also allowed for up to two 551lb bombs held underwing. The Ki-45 KAIb model series appeared soon enough and was designed as a dedicated ground attack / anti-shipping variant. The system sported a 20mm cannon in the nose, a fuselage-mounted 37mm cannon, the standard 7.92mm machine gun in the rear cockpit and the system also retained the bomb-carrying provision of its predecessor. A large caliber (75mm) cannon was also trialed with the system for the anti-shipping role.
The Ki-45 would be airborne in prototype forms by 1939, though developmental setbacks would stave off production till mid-to-late September of 1941. The system was quickly thrown into action against bomber formations of the United States Army Air Force and achieved particular successes against B-24 Liberator types. A dependable and hard-hitting platform, the Ki-45 system excelled against such slow-moving targets. The Ki-45 was transformed into a dedicated nightfighter in the Ki-45 KAIc model series with obliquely-mounted 37mm cannon and advanced search radar. The C-model went on to become the definitive Ki-45. As excellent a system as Japan fielded however, the Ki-45 was relegated to homeland defense as Allied advancements in the Pacific continued to hamper offensive operations by the Japanese. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
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Specifications for the
Kawasaki Ki-45 Toryu (Nick)
Twin Engine Fighter
Country of Origin: Imperial Japan
Manufacturer: Kawasaki - Japan
Initial Year of Service: 1942
Production: 1,701
Focus Model: Kawasaki Ki-45 Toryu (Nick)
Crew: 2
Length: 36.09ft (11m)
Width: 49.28ft (15.02m)
Height: 12.14ft (3.70m)
Weight (Empty): 8,818lbs (4,000kg)
Weight (MTOW): 12,125lbs (5,500kg)
Powerplant: 2 x Mitsubishi Ha-102 14-cylinder radial piston engines generating 975hp each.
Maximum Speed: 336mph (540kmh; 292kts)
Maximum Range: 1,243miles (2,000km)
Service Ceiling: 32,808ft (10,000m; 6.2miles)
Rate-of-Climb: 2,300 feet per minute (701m/min)
Hardpoints: 2
Armament Suite:
1 x 20mm cannon (forward firing)
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in nose position
1 x 7.92mm machine gun in rear cockpit position
OPTIONAL:
2 x 551lb bombs carried underwing
Variants:
Ki-45 - Prototype Model Designation
Ki-45 KAI - Prototype Model Designation and Pre-Production Model Designation.
Ki-45 KAIa - Initial Production Variant; fitted with 1 x 20mm cannon, 2 x 12.7mm machine guns and 1 x 7.92mm machine (rear cockpit).
Ki-45 KAIb - Fitted with Mitsubishi Ha-102 at 1,050 horsepower; armament consisted of 1 x 37mm forward-firing fuselage mounted cannon, 1 x 20mm cannon in nose and 1 x 7.92mm machine gun in rear cokcpit; trialed with 75mm cannon for anti-shipping duty.
Ka-45 KAIc - Dedicated Night-Fighter Variant; fitted with 1 x 37mm cannon, 2 x 20mm cannons and 1 x 7.92mm machine gun.
Ki-45 KAId - Maritime Patrol Fighter
Ki-45 II - Proposed Experimental Model
Operators: Imperial Japan
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