Kawasaki Ki-48

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawasaki_Ki-48

The Kawasaki Ki-48,(shiki-souhatu-keibaku,) shortened to 'Sokei', Army Type 99
Twin-engined Light Bomber, was a Japanese twin-engine light bomber that was used
during World War II. Its Allied reporting name was "Lily".

The development of the aircraft began at the end of 1937 at the request of the
Japanese military high command. Kawasaki received an order to develop a
"high-speed bomber" capable of 480 km/h (300 mph) at 3,000 m (9,840 ft), and
able to reach 5,000 m (16,400 ft) within 10 minutes. It was inspired by the
Soviet Tupolev SB.

Kawasaki had the advantage of the experience of designing the Ki-45 twin-engined
heavy fighter. Most technical problems were solved; however the aircraft had a
number of shortcomings. It carried only an 800 kg (1,760 lb) bombload. This was
actually more than contemporary light bombers such as the Bristol Blenheim or
Tupolev SB, and only slightly less than light bombers designed several years
later, such as the A-20 Havoc, and the strikingly similar-appearing Martin
Maryland and Baltimore. Speed was intended to be its primary defense, much like
the later, unarmed, De Havilland Mosquito. So it had only three machine guns
(again, an equivalent armament to contemporary light bombers). This made it very
vulnerable to enemy fighters later in the war, once they became fast enough to
actually catch it.

The flight characteristics of the Ki-48 also left much to be desired. Newer
generations of Allied fighters caught up in speed, and eventually, the Ki-48 was
too slow to outrun them, while superior modern Japanese aircraft, such as the
Yokosuka P1Y and the Mitsubishi Ki-67, could only be produced in small numbers.
The first versions were lightly armoured, so the Ki-48 was quite aerobatic, and
could loop and turn with an experienced pilot at the controls. The aircraft was
often used as a dive bomber in Burma. The aircraft was not necessarily a
failure, and was considered an acceptable light bomber for the first few years
of the war by many historians. Much like the Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter, it was
satisfactory for the period when it was designed and produced, but had to be
used against much newer and faster competition, due to Japan's inability to
produce enough newer aircraft.


Role
Light bomber

Manufacturer
Kawasaki Kokuki Kogyo K.K.

Designer
Takeo Doi

Introduction
1940

Retired
1945

Status
Retired

Primary user
Imperial Japanese Army Air Force

Number built
1,997

The aircraft served in China from late 1940, replacing the Kawasaki Ki-32, and
were widely used in the Philippines, Malaya, Burma, New Guinea, the Solomon
Islands and the Dutch East Indies, where the Ki-48 Ia and Ib models, slow and
badly armed, were supplemented by the marginally improved Ki-48 IIa and IIc,
which were maintained in service along with the older types until the end of the
war.

All models continued in service until the Battle of Okinawa during April 1945,
when many were converted into kamikaze aircraft (Ki-48-II KAI Tai-Atari) armed
with an 800 kg (1,760 lb) bomb. Some aircraft was modified to act as testbeds;
one carried the Kawasaki Ki-148 guided missile intended for use on the Kawasaki
Ki-102 in late 1944, and one was modified to test a Ne-0 pulsejet engine in late
1944-early 1945.

The fact that all models continued in service until 1945 reflects that many
Ki-48s survived more often than not. This was due to the use of small ship
formations (3–10 aircraft) escorted by large numbers of fighters (25–75),
typically Nakajima Ki-43s. Although not as fast as more modern fighters, after
1942, the aircraft was still fast enough to enable it to often avoid
interception unless it ran into a standing patrol of fighters. The 90th Air
Regiment of the 5th Air Army (based in Hopei, north China) equipped with Ki-48s
was the only Japanese air unit in China proper to engage the Soviets, although
others were advanced in preparation. It flew 20 sorties against the Soviets
during 14 August 1945.

Specifications (Ki-48-IIa)

General characteristics
Crew: Four
Length: 12.75 m (41 ft 9 in)
Wingspan: 17.45 m (57 ft 3 in)
Height: 3.8 m (12 ft 5 in)
Wing area: 40 m² (430.555 ft²)
Empty weight: 4,550 kg (10,031 lb)
Loaded weight: 6,500 kg (14,350 lb)
Max. takeoff weight: 6,750 kg (14,881 lb)
Powerplant: 2 × Nakajima Ha-115 radial engines, 843 kW (1,130 hp) each

Performance
Maximum speed: 505 km/h (273 kn, 314 mph) at 5,600 m (18,375 ft)
Range: 2,400 km (1,296 nmi, 1,491 mi)
Service ceiling: 10,100 m (33,135 ft)

Armament

3 × 7.7 mm (0.303 in) Type 89 machine guns, in nose, dorsal and ventral
positions
800 kg (1,764 lb) of bombs





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