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Mitsubishi Ki-83

TheMitsubishi Ki-83(キ83) was a Japanese experimental, long-rangeheavy fighterdesigned near the end of World War II that did not reach production status.

Ki-83
A Ki-83 in American markings after the war.
Role Long rangeheavy fighter
Manufacturer Mitsubishi
First flight 18 November 1944
Status Prototype
Number built 4

Design and development

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The Mitsubishi Ki-83 was designed as a long-range heavy fighter and built by a team, led byTomio Kubo- designer of the highly successfulMitsubishi Ki-46.The design was a response to a 1943 specification for a new heavy fighter with great range. The first of fourprototypesflew on 18 November 1944.[1]The machines displayed remarkable maneuverability for aircraft of their size, being able to execute a 671 m (2,200 ft) diameter loop in just 31 seconds at a speed of over 644 km/h (400 mph).[2]The Ki-83 carried a powerful armament of two 30 mm (1.18 in) and two 20 mm cannon in its nose.[3]

Despite the bomb-ravaged Japanese manufacturing sector, plans for the Ki-83 to enter production were underway when Japan surrendered on 15 August 1945.

Both the existence and performance of the Ki-83 were little known during the War, even in Japan. It was completely unknown inAlliedmilitary aviation circles – as demonstrated by the fact that the Ki-83 had not been given areporting name.Most early photographs of the type were taken during the post-war occupation of Japan, when the four prototypes were seized by theUnited States Army Air Forcesand repainted with USAAF insignia. When they were evaluated by U.S.aeronautical engineersand other experts, a Ki-83, using high-octanefuel, reached a speed of 762 km/h (473 mph) at an altitude of 7,000 metres (23,000 ft).[1][2][4][5]

A Ki-83 during a postwarUSAAFevaluation flight.

Variants

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  • Ki-83experimental long-rangeheavy fighter,four prototypes built.
  • Ki-95projected reconnaissance version, none built.[6]
  • Ki-103projected development, none built.[6]

Specifications (Ki-83)

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Data fromJapanese Aircraft of the Pacific War[7]

General characteristics

  • Crew:2
  • Length:12.5 m (41 ft 0 in)
  • Wingspan:15.5 m (50 ft 10 in)
  • Height:4.6 m (15 ft 1 in)
  • Wing area:33.5 m2(361 sq ft)
  • Empty weight:5,980 kg (13,184 lb)
  • Gross weight:8,795 kg (19,390 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight:9,430 kg (20,790 lb)
  • Powerplant:2 ×Mitsubishi Ha-43Ru (Ha211) 18-cylinder air-cooledradial piston engines,1,600 kW (2,200 hp) each for take-off
1,540 kW (2,070 hp) at 1,000 m (3,300 ft)
1,440 kW (1,930 hp) at 5,000 m (16,000 ft) and 6,400 m (21,000 ft)
1,280 kW (1,720 hp) at 9,500 m (31,200 ft)
  • Propellers:4-bladed constant-speed propellers

Performance

  • Maximum speed:704.5 km/h (437.8 mph, 380.4 kn) at 9,000 m (30,000 ft)
655 km/h (407 mph; 354 kn) at 5,000 m (16,000 ft)
  • Cruise speed:450 km/h (280 mph, 240 kn) at 4,000 m (13,000 ft)
  • Range:1,953 km (1,214 mi, 1,055 nmi)
  • Ferry range:3,500 km (2,200 mi, 1,900 nmi)
  • Service ceiling:12,660 m (41,540 ft)
  • Time to altitude:10,000 m (33,000 ft) in 10 minutes
  • Wing loading:263 kg/m2(54 lb/sq ft)
  • Power/mass:0.35 kW/kg (0.21 hp/lb)

Armament

See also

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References

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  1. ^abFrancillon 1979,p. 192.
  2. ^abGreen 1961,p. 58.
  3. ^Pearce, William (30 September 2013)."Mitsubishi Ki-83 Heavy Fighter".oldmachinepress.Retrieved2 June2016.
  4. ^Green & Swanborough 1976,pp. 53, 56.
  5. ^FAOW 1976,p. 50.
  6. ^abFrancillon 1979,p. 193.
  7. ^Francillon 1979,p. 194.

Bibliography

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