The two-seat, twin-engine Ki-102 was classified as a close-support/heavy fighter aircraft and developed by the Kawasaki concern of Imperial Japan. To the Allies, it was known under the codename of "Randy" and in official Imperial Japanese Army Air Force nomenclature, it existed as the "Army Type 4 Assault Aircraft". The aircraft was developed from the preceding Kawasaki "Ki-96" twin-engine heavy fighter of which only three prototypes were produced, intending to ultimately replace the twin-engine Kawasaki Ki-45 (Toryu) "Nick" heavy fighter in both production and operational service. First flight of the Ki-102 prototype was recorded in 1944 though the end of the war for Japan in August of 1945 signified the end of development and production of the Ki-102 for the long-term. The type was eventually evolved into three distinct forms to include a dedicated fighter, dedicated night-fighter and dedicated ground attack platform. Some Ki-102s (Ki-102b production models) saw limited combat service while most were stationed on the Japanese mainland for defensive purposes prior to the anticipated Allied invasion (which never occurred). A total of 238 examples were manufactured by Kawasaki Aircraft Engineering and saw service from 1944 to the end of the war in 1945.
The Ki-102 was born from three prototype forms using the base "Ki-102" designator. "Ki-102a" marks signified the original high-altitude heavy fighter design form of which a total of the 26 of the type were ultimately produced. All combat models were fitted with 1 x 37mm Ho-203 series cannon and 2 x 20mm Ho-5 cannons as well as turbosupercharged engines required for high altitude performance. The Ki-102a was known to the Japanese as the "Type Ko".
Outwardly, the series followed in line with previous twin-engine Kawasaki offerings. The design was characterized by a streamlined fuselage with the tandem-seating crew cabin at forward-middle, low-mounted monoplane wings, leading edge radial engine nacelles and a conventional single-fin tail unit. The undercarriage consisted of two main landing gear legs and a tail wheel while all was completely retractable into the underfuselage. The pilot sat in a forward cockpit under a glazed canopy with decent vision outwards while the rear crewman sat in a separated cockpit at amidships.
The Ki-102b became a follow-up specialized ground attack variant fitting 1 x 57mm Ho-401 cannon as well as 2 x 20mm Ho-5 cannons. 1 x 12.7mm Ho-103 (Type 1) heavy machine gun was allocated to the rear cockpit for self-defense against trailing enemy fighters. Power was derived from 2 x Mitsubishi Ha-112-II Ru 14-cylinder radial piston engines of 1,500 horsepower each which gave excellent performance. The Ki-102b reported a top speed of 360 miles per hour with a range equal to 1,200 miles while the service ceiling was in the vicinity of 33,000 feet. A reengineered tailwheel was also introduced. Some 207 examples were built in all, proving the definitive mark in the series and was known to the Japanese as the "Type Otu". The Ki-102b production mark would be the only Ki-102 form to see combat action, this over Okinawa and its exposure very limited.
The Ki-102c was a proposed dedicated night-fighter development with various changes included in her design. This brought about use of a very basic AI radar system under a new Plexiglas nose cone, a lengthened wing assembly and fuselage and reworked tail planes. Armament comprised 2 x 30mm Ho-105 series cannons under the fuselage as well as 2 x 20mm Ho-5 "oblique-firing cannons" at amidships. The oblique-firing cannons were set in a forward-angled position, allowing the fighter to hover under and behind a bomber target (typically its most vulnerable spot) and fire cannon projectiles at will. However, only two of the type were ever completed before the end of the war. The Ki-102c was known to the Japanese as the "Type Hei".
All Ki-102 variants featured provision for the carrying of 2 x 550lb conventional drop bombs for strike sorties or 2 x fuel drop tanks for increased operational ranges.
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(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.
✓Interception
Ability to intercept inbound aerial threats by way of high-performance, typically speed and rate-of-climb.
✓Close-Air Support (CAS)
Developed to operate in close proximity to active ground elements by way of a broad array of air-to-ground ordnance and munitions options.
Length
37.6 ft (11.45 m)
Width/Span
51.1 ft (15.57 m)
Height
12.1 ft (3.70 m)
Empty Wgt
10,913 lb (4,950 kg)
MTOW
16,094 lb (7,300 kg)
Wgt Diff
+5,181 lb (+2,350 kg)
(Showcased structural values pertain to the base Kawasaki Ki-102 (Randy) production variant)
(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the base Kawasaki Ki-102 (Randy) 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)
Ki-102a:
1 x 37mm Ho-203 cannon in nose
2 x 20mm Ho-5 cannons
Ki-102b:
1 x 57mm Ho-401 cannon in nose
2 x 20mm Ho-5 cannons
1 x 12.7mm Ho-103 heavy machine gun in trainable rear cockpit position.
Ki-102c:
2 x 30mm Ho-105 cannons in fuselage belly
2 x 20mm Ho-5 cannons in oblique-firing position.
OPTIONAL (All Variants):
2 x 550lb bombs OR 2 x fuel drop tanks
2 x 550lb bombs OR 2 x fuel drop tanks
Supported Types
(Not all ordnance types may be represented in the showcase above)
Hardpoint Mountings: 2
Ki-102 - Encompassing 3 prototypes plus 20 pre-production aircraft.
Ki-102a - Heavy Fighter; 1 x 37mm cannon and 2 x 20mm cannons; 26 examples produced.
Ki-102b - Ground Attack; 1 x 57mm cannon; 2 x 20mm cannons; 1 x 12.7mm heavy machine gun in rear cockpit; 207 examples produced.
Ki-102c - Night-Fighter; fitted with primitive AI radar under Plexiglas nose cone; 2 x 30mm cannons; 2 x 20mm cannons in oblique-firing position; 2 examples completed.
Ki-108 - Proposed high-altitude fighter prototype; pressurized cockpit; two examples modified from existing Ki-102b production mounts.
Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective aerial campaigns / operations / aviation periods.
Images Gallery
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Rear left side view of the Kawasaki Ki-102 Randy being attended to
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Imperial Japan
