Ki-116
Role Single seat fighter
Manufacturer Manshūkoku Hikōki Seizo KK
First flight 1945
Primary user Imperial Japanese Army Air Force
Number built 1
Variants Nakajima Ki-84

The Nakajima Ki-116 was a late-World War II aircraft developed for the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force. It was essentially a Ki-84 Hayate with the Nakajima Ha-45 engine replaced with a Mitsubishi Ha-112. The design was handled by Mansyū Aircraft in Manchukuo, and thus it is often designated Mansyū Ki-116.

Design and development

This photo shows a Ki-84, the base of the Ki-116.

The Ki-116 was the last variant of the Nakajima Ki-84 Hayate to enter flight trials. It was originally the fourth Mansyu-built Ki-84-I, adapted to take a 1,100 kW (1,500 hp) Mitsubishi Ha-112-II (aka Kinsei 62) engine, the same engine used in the Kawasaki Ki-100, driving a three-blade propeller borrowed from a Mitsubishi Ki-46-III Dinah. This conversion proved to be very successful, a reduction of 450 kg (1,000 lb) in empty weight being registered. The aircraft was still undergoing tests at the time of Japan's defeat.[1][2][3] It appeared somewhat longer and had an increased tail surface area compared to the original Ki-84.[3][4][5]

This aircraft was created as a fighter-interceptor. There is no indication that it was intended for the Special Attack suicide role (shimbu-tai).

One aircraft was built at Manshūkoku Hikōki Seizo KK at their plant in Harbin in 1945.

Specifications

General Characteristics

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

Notes

  1. ^ Francillon 1966, p. 10.
  2. ^ Francillon 1979, p. 235.
  3. ^ a b Bueschel 1971, p. 16.
  4. ^ Taylor 1977, p. 267
  5. ^ Green & Swanborough 1977, p. 56.

Bibliography

  • Aeronautical Staff of Aero Publishers Inc. Nakajima KI-84 (Aero Series 2). Fallbrook, CA: Aero Publishers, Inc., 1965. ISBN 0-8168-0504-0.
  • Bueschel, Richard M. (1971). Nakajima Ki. 84a/b Hayate : in Japanese Army Air Force service. Richard Ward. [Reading, England]: Osprey. ISBN 0-85045-044-6. OCLC 7134997.
  • Caruana, Richard J. "The Nakajima Ki-84 Hayate" Article and scale drawings. Scale Aviation Modeller International. Volume 10 Issue 10 October 2004. Bedford, UK.
  • Francillon, René J. (1966). The Nakajima Hayate (Aircraft in Profile number 70). Leatherhead, Surrey, UK: Profile Publications Ltd..
  • Francillon, René J. (1979). Japanese aircraft of the Pacific War. London: Putnam. ISBN 0-370-30251-6. OCLC 6124909. (new edition 1987 by Putnam Aeronautical Books, ISBN 0-85177-801-1.)
  • Fearis, P. "The Emperor's Wings; The Nakajima Ki-84 Hayate." Article and scale drawings. Scale Aviation Modeller. Volume 2 Issue 1 January 1996. Bedford, UK.
  • Green, William. War Planes of the Second World War, Volume Three: Fighters. London: Macdonald & Co. (Publishers) Ltd., 1961 (seventh impression 1973). ISBN 0-356-01447-9.
  • Green, William; Swanborough, Gordon (1977). WW2 Aircraft Fact Files: Japanese Army Fighters, Part 2. London: Macdonald and Jane's. ISBN 0-354-01068-9.
  • Taylor, John W. R. (1977). Combat aircraft of the world : from 1909 to the present (Berkley Windhover ed.). New York: Putnam. ISBN 0-425-03633-2. OCLC 911790791.</ref>
  • Wieliczko, Leszek A. Nakajima Ki-84 Hayate. Lublin, Poland: Kagero, 2005. ISBN 83-89088-76-2. (Bilingual Polish/English)
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