Kawasaki Ki-78 (KEN III)

High-Speed Single-Seat, Single-Engine Research Aircraft [ 1942 ]

A single Kawasaki Ki-78 high-speed research aircraft was developed by the Japanese Empire during World War 2 - intent on challenging the World Absolute Speed Record.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 07/16/2018 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

VIEW SPECIFICATIONS [+]

The Kawasaki Ki-78 (KENsan III) began its development as a high-speed research aircraft intended challenge air speed records of the 1930s. All-new wings were devised to trial various load factors at speed and the program was given life through a 1938 initiative under the direction of the Aeronautical Research Institute of the University of Tokyo and the aircraft manufactured by Kwasaki Kokuki Kogyo K.K. Only one flyable examples was ever completed as World War 2 (1939-1945) disrupted the project and forever changed its fortunes.

The design incorporated a sleek fuselage, devoid of any unnecessary protrusions, with fine contouring throughout and clean lines throughout. An inline piston engine was selected to power the aircraft and this installed at the nose in the usual way. The cockpit, lightly framed, was set at midships. A raised dorsal spine blocked any useful views to the pilot's rear but this was not a combat aircraft. The empennage tapered elegantly to the rear to which a single rudder and low-set horizontal planes were fitted. The tail-dragger undercarriage was retractable with the two main legs sitting under the wings. The aircraft was constructed of all-metal including its skinning.

The smallest possible cross-section, coupled with a powerful engine, was selected for the aircraft. Overall length reached 26.5 feet with a wingspan of 26.2 feet and a height of 10 feet. Empty weight was 4,255lb against an MTOW of 5,070lb.

Power stemmed from the German Daimler-Benz DB601A V-12 inverted liquid-cooled inline piston engine of 1,550 horsepower. Additional power was had by the injection of water/methanol. Performance included a maximum speed of 435 miles per hour, a range out to 373 miles and a service ceiling of 26,000 feet.

The Ki-78 was picking up speed before World War 2 began and, with interest, authorities of the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) moved to take over the Ki-78 project in full. Two prototypes were contracted for and work on the first began in September of 1941. The aircraft was completed in 1942 and recorded its first-flight on December 26th. Despite its good showing as a speedy mount, the Ki-78 held little military value and the program was ended in January of 1944. Just one aircraft was completed along with a sole mock-up. The second prototype lay incomplete before being scrapped.©MilitaryFactory.com

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Specifications

Service Year

1942

Origin

Imperial Japan

Status

RETIRED
Not in Service.

Crew

1

Production

1
UNITS

Kawasaki - Imperial Japan

(View other Aviaton-Related Manufacturers)

Imperial Japan (cancelled)

(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)

✓ Air-to-Air Combat, Fighter
General ability to actively engage other aircraft of similar form and function, typically through guns, missiles, and/or aerial rockets.

✓ X-Plane (Developmental, Prototype, Technology Demonstrator)
Aircraft developed for the role of prototyping, technology demonstration, or research / data collection.

Length

26.6 ft
(8.10 m)

Width/Span

26.2 ft
(8.00 m)

Height

10.0 ft
(3.05 m)

Empty Wgt

4,255 lb
(1,930 kg)

MTOW

5,071 lb
(2,300 kg)

Wgt Diff

+816 lb
(+370 kg)

(Showcased structural values pertain to the Kawasaki Ki-78 production variant)

Installed: 1 x Diamler-Benz DB601A V-12 inverted liquid-cooled inline piston engine developing 1,550 horsepower.

Max Speed

435 mph
(700 kph | 378 kts)

Ceiling

26,247 ft
(8,000 m | 5 mi)

Range

373 mi
(600 km | 1,111 nm)

♦ MACH Regime (Sonic)

Sub

Trans

Super

Hyper

HiHyper

ReEntry

♦

(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the Kawasaki Ki-78 production variant. Performance specifications showcased above are subject to environmental factors as well as aircraft configuration. Estimates are made when Real Data not available. Compare this aircraft entry against any other in our database or View aircraft by powerplant type)

None.

Supported Types

(Not all ordnance types may be represented in the showcase above)

Ki-78 - Base Series Designation

KEN III - Original project designation

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