OVERVIEW
The Nakajima Ki-27 was the Imperial Japanese Army equivalent of the Imperial Japanese Navy Mitsubishi A5M.
The Nakajima Ki-27 was the Imperial Japanese Army equivalent of the Imperial Japanese Navy Mitsubishi A5M.
YEAR: 1937
MANUFACTURER(S): Nakajima - Japan
PRODUCTION: 3,368
OPERATORS: Imperial Japan
SPECIFICATIONS
Unless otherwise noted the presented statistics below pertain to the Nakajima Ki-27a model. Common measurements, and their respective conversions, are shown when possible.
Unless otherwise noted the presented statistics below pertain to the Nakajima Ki-27a model. Common measurements, and their respective conversions, are shown when possible.
CREW: 1
LENGTH: 24.70 feet (7.53 meters)
WIDTH: 37.11 feet (11.31 meters)
HEIGHT: 10.66 feet (3.25 meters)
WEIGHT (EMPTY): 2,447 pounds (1,110 kilograms)
WEIGHT (MTOW): 3,946 pounds (1,790 kilograms)
ENGINE: 1 x Nakajima Ha-1b air-cooled radial piston engine developing 710 horsepower.
SPEED (MAX): 292 miles-per-hour (470 kilometers-per-hour; 254 knots)
RANGE: 395 miles (635 kilometers; 343 nautical miles)
CEILING: 39,862 feet (12,150 meters; 7.55 miles)
RATE-OF-CLIMB: 2,953 feet-per-minute (900 meters-per-minute)
ARMAMENT
Ki-27a:
2 x 7.7mm machine guns
Ki-27b:
2 x 7.7mm machine guns
4 x 55lb bombs
Ki-27a:
2 x 7.7mm machine guns
Ki-27b:
2 x 7.7mm machine guns
4 x 55lb bombs
VARIANTS
Series Model Variants
• PE - Private Venture Prototype Model
• Army Type 97 Fighter Model A - Service Model Designation.
• Ki-27a - Production Model Company Designation; fitted with uprated Ha-1b engine with faired-metal canopy.
• Ki-27b - Provision for ground attack role in the form of 4 x underwing hardpoints; "clear-vision" canopy.
• Ki-27 KAI - Experimental Lightweight Fighter Variant.
Series Model Variants
• PE - Private Venture Prototype Model
• Army Type 97 Fighter Model A - Service Model Designation.
• Ki-27a - Production Model Company Designation; fitted with uprated Ha-1b engine with faired-metal canopy.
• Ki-27b - Provision for ground attack role in the form of 4 x underwing hardpoints; "clear-vision" canopy.
• Ki-27 KAI - Experimental Lightweight Fighter Variant.
HISTORY
Detailing the development and operational history of the Nakajima Ki-27 (Nate) Fighter. Entry last updated on 9/3/2015. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com.
Detailing the development and operational history of the Nakajima Ki-27 (Nate) Fighter. Entry last updated on 9/3/2015. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com.
The Nakajima Ki-27 "Nate" (known early on as "Abdul") was a successful low-monoplane, all-metal with stressed skin fighter design employed by the Empire of Japan throughout the Second World War. Initially conceived of as a private venture design by the Nakajima corporation, the Ki-27 was soon debuted and accepted by the Japanese Army.
The single-engine, one-man fighter was Japan's first monoplane design, becoming a sort of bridge from the old and new fighter development strategies. Qualities that showcased the Ki-27 to the old ways of fighter design including the very identifiable static land gears. A tail skid was still being used when the Ki-27 reached full production. At the cost of self-sealing fuel tanks, pilot protection and other aircraft amenities at the time, the Ki-27 became a nimble and fast fighter, armed with 2 x 12.7mm heavy machine guns.
In the early years, the Ki-27 enjoyed a period of success against the Chinese and Allied fighter pilots in the Pacific. As Allied fighter designed continued to improve, aircraft like the Ki-27 would begin to lose out to the advanced technologies and be relegated to homeland defense, pilot training or kamikaze use.
In the end, the decision to not protect the pilot nor his fuel tanks became the premise for the aircrafts undoing. The light and nimble Ki-27 would cease to become a factor, in much the same way that its A6M Zero counterpart did, and help the Allied make their push throughout the Pacific. Nevertheless, the Ki-27 enjoyed a long period of success when it was initially delivered and would stay a major part of the Japanese Army movements until the end of the war - albeit in limited fashion by then.
The single-engine, one-man fighter was Japan's first monoplane design, becoming a sort of bridge from the old and new fighter development strategies. Qualities that showcased the Ki-27 to the old ways of fighter design including the very identifiable static land gears. A tail skid was still being used when the Ki-27 reached full production. At the cost of self-sealing fuel tanks, pilot protection and other aircraft amenities at the time, the Ki-27 became a nimble and fast fighter, armed with 2 x 12.7mm heavy machine guns.
In the early years, the Ki-27 enjoyed a period of success against the Chinese and Allied fighter pilots in the Pacific. As Allied fighter designed continued to improve, aircraft like the Ki-27 would begin to lose out to the advanced technologies and be relegated to homeland defense, pilot training or kamikaze use.
In the end, the decision to not protect the pilot nor his fuel tanks became the premise for the aircrafts undoing. The light and nimble Ki-27 would cease to become a factor, in much the same way that its A6M Zero counterpart did, and help the Allied make their push throughout the Pacific. Nevertheless, the Ki-27 enjoyed a long period of success when it was initially delivered and would stay a major part of the Japanese Army movements until the end of the war - albeit in limited fashion by then.
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Our Data Modules allow for quick visual reference when comparing a single entry against contemporary designs. Areas covered include general ratings, speed assessments, and relative ranges based on distances between major cities.
Relative Maximum Speed
Hi: 300mph
Lo: 150mph
This entry's maximum listed speed (292mph).
Graph average of 225 miles-per-hour.
City-to-City Ranges
NYC
LDN
LDN
PAR
PAR
BER
BER
MSK
MSK
TKY
TKY
SYD
SYD
LAX
LAX
NYC
Graph showcases the Nakajima Ki-27a's operational range (on internal fuel) when compared to distances between major cities.
Aviation Era
Useful in showcasing the era cross-over of particular aircraft/aerospace designs.
Unit Production (3,368)
Comm. Market HI*: 44,000 units
Military Market HI**: 36,183 units
3368
3368
Altitude Visualization
