Engineering:Rikugun Ki-202
| Ki-202 Shūsui-Kai | |
|---|---|
| Role | Rocket-powered interceptor aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Rikugun Kokugijitsu Kenkyujo |
| Status | Cancelled |
| Primary user | Imperial Japanese Army Air Force |
| Number built | 0 |
| Developed from | Messerschmitt Me 163 |
The Rikugun Ki-202 Shūsui-Kai (Japanese: 三菱 Ki-202 秋水改, translated as "Autumn Water, improved") was a direct development of the German Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet rocket-powered interceptor aircraft. None were produced before Japan 's surrender that ended World War II.
In a split from the development of the Mitsubishi J8M and Mitsubishi Ki-200, the IJA instructed Rikugun to develop a new design based on the Me 163, independent of the IJN's J8M. A fundamental shortcoming of the Me 163, and all other aircraft based on it, was extremely limited endurance, typically only a few minutes. The Imperial Japanese Navy proposed to improve the endurance of the J8M1 by producing a version with only one cannon, thereby saving weight and space for more fuel (the J8M2). The Imperial Japanese Army Air Force , on the other hand, opted to keep both cannon, but enlarge the airframe to accommodate larger tanks, resulting in the Ki-202, which was to have been the definitive Army version of the fighter. Power was to be supplied by a 2,000 kg (4,409 lb) thrust Mitsubishi Toku Ro.3 (KR20) rocket motor. Undercarriage was to have been a sprung skid and tail-wheel.
Specifications (Ki-202 estimated)
Data from Japanese Secret Projects:Experimental aircraft of the IJA and IJN 1939–1945[1]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 7.68 m (25 ft 2 in)
- Wingspan: 9.72 m (31 ft 11 in)
- Height: 2.74 m (9 ft 0 in)
- Wing area: 18.39 m2 (197.9 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 1,619 kg (3,569 lb)
- Gross weight: 3,384 kg (7,460 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 5,015 kg (11,056 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Mitsubishi Toku Ro.3 liquid-fuelled rocket motor, 19.61 kN (4,409 lbf) thrust
Performance
- Maximum speed: 900 km/h (560 mph, 490 kn) at 10,000 m (33,000 ft)
- Landing speed: 132 km/h (82 mph)
- Endurance: 10 minutes 28 seconds
- Service ceiling: 12,000 m (39,000 ft)
- Rate of climb: 12.346 m/s (2,430.3 ft/min) initial
- Time to altitude:
- 2,000 m (6,600 ft) in 1 minute 21 seconds
- 4,000 m (13,000 ft) in 2 minutes
- 6,000 m (20,000 ft) in 2 minute 34 seconds
- 8,000 m (26,000 ft) in 3 minute 2 seconds
- 10,000 m (33,000 ft) in 3 minute 26 seconds
- Wing loading: 272.43 kg/m2 (55.80 lb/sq ft)
Armament
- Guns: 2 × 30 mm (1.18 in) Ho 155-II autocannon
See also
Related development
- Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet
- Mitsubishi J8M
- Yokosuka MXY9
Related lists
Notes
- ↑ Dyer, Edwin M. III (2009). Japanese Secret Projects:Experimental aircraft of the IJA and IJN 1939–1945 (1st ed.). Hinkley: Midland publishing. pp. 40–42. ISBN 978-1-85780-317-4.
Bibliography
- Dyer, Edwin M. III (2009). Japanese Secret Projects:Experimental aircraft of the IJA and IJN 1939–1945 (1st ed.). Hinkley: Midland publishing. pp. 40–42. ISBN 978-1-85780-317-4.
ja:秋水#バリエーション
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