Aircraft/Loadouts Mitsubishi Ki-20 Heavy Bomber

[zuegma 1,546]

Hello there,

 

I noticed this plane was in the previously suggested topic but I can't find the post so I thought I'd start one here. Apologies if there is a topic.

 

I think this plane could fit well into the Japanese tree in the same way the TB-3 does so it could be a possible limited Gift plane, but that we be up to Gaijin. It saw service but was not used in combat. It has been a little difficult finding more detailed flight data and blueprint pictures. The flight data could be based off the G 38 but there are differences between the planes.

 

General Blurb

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The Mitsubishi Ki-20 Army Type 92 Heavy Bomber was based on the Junkers G 38 passenger aircraft, and was an unsuccessful design that never saw combat.

The aircraft was produced in response to a Japanese Army order for a very large long range bomber. This aircraft was for use either against the British base at Singapore or the American fortifications at Corregidor Island, both targets a significant distance from the nearest Japanese base. The Ki-20 was based on the Junkers G 38, a very large four engined passenger aircraft. Although Germany was forbidden to build her own military aircraft, German companies were allowed to modify existing civil aircraft to military roles for the export market. Junkers added military systems to the G 38 and gave it the new designation K 51.

 

Although the Ki-20 itself wasn't a great success, it did Mitsubishi a great deal of valuable experience. Nobushiro Nakata, the chief designer, and Kyonosuke Ohki went to Germany in 1928 to prepare for production in Japan, and they were followed later in the year by two engineers who examined Junkers manufacturing methods. In 1930 Keisuke Ohtsuka was sent to German to purchase the required tools, machiness and engineers, and in return Junkers sent a team to Japan.

 

The Ki-20 was a massive aircraft. It had a wingspan one metre than the B-29 Superfortress, and twice the wing area of the much later American aircraft. The B-29 had more than three times the engine power, and was nearly three times heavier, but was also three times faster. The Ki-20 used the typical Junkers corrugated stressed skin (as seen on the Ju 52). It had a fixed undercarriage and a biplane tail. The massive wings were almost bat-like in shape, with a tapered trailing edge. The engines were carried in four slim nacelles. Unusually the aircraft's four gun turrets were carried on the wings. The upper turrets, each armed with two machine guns, were mounted at the rear of the outer engine nacelles.

 

Only six Ki-20s were built. The first was completed in 1931, using German parts assembled in Japan. The second aircraft also used German parts but after that an increasingly proportion of the components were produced in Japan. The designation Ki-20 wasn't given to the aircraft until late in its existence, thus explaining the comparatively high number for such an early aircraft. When it entered limited service it was known at the Army Type 92 Heavy Bomber (some sources say Super Heavy Bomber).

 

Tests showed that the Ki-20 was too large, underpowered and unreliable. The six aircraft were used for research at bases in Japan and Manchuria. Work on a replacement began in 1936 when the Army issued new specifications that resulted in the Mitsubishi Ki-21. The Ki-20 was kept secret for most of its existence. Its first public appearance came in January 1940 when three took part in a flypast in Tokyo. Soon after this the type was withdrawn from service, but their massive size meant that they were still impressive and they were exhibited around Japan.

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General characteristics

• Crew: 10 (captain, two pilots, bombardier/ nose gunner, flight engineer/ top gunner, four wing gunners)
• Length: 23.20 m (76 ft 1½ in)
• Wingspan: 44 m (144 ft 4¼ in)
• Height: 7 m (22 ft 11¾ in)
• Wing area: 294 m² (3,165 ft²)
• Empty weight: 14,912 kg (32,875 lb)
• Loaded weight: 25,448 kg (56,103 lb)
• Powerplant: 4 × Junkers Jumo 204 V-12 diesel engine, 560 kW (750 hp) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 201 km/h (108 kn, 125 mph)

Armament

• Guns:
  • 2× 7.7 mm (.303 in) machine guns in nose
  • 1× 20 mm cannon on dorsal position
  • 2× 7.7 mm (.303 in) machine guns in each of two upper wing turrets
  • 1× 7.7 mm (.303 in) machine gun in each of one lower wing turret
• Bombs: Up to 5,000 kg (11,023 lb) bombs carried externally

Pictures

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Links:

http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_mitsubishi_ki-20.html

http://www.desertwar.net/mitsubishi-ki-20.html

http://forum.valka.cz/viewtopic.php/t/30396/start/-1

Edited January 10, 2015 by zuegma

[Smin1080p 60,301]

Open for discussion  :salute:

[Botan 7,952]

I noticed this plane was in the previously suggested topic but I can't find the post so I thought I'd start one here. Apologies if there is a topic.

 

I made a thread for it a long time ago, but it disappeared, I have no idea what happened.

[AimingWinehouse 1,163]

It might have seen little service, but I think everyone wants it :Ds

As an event premium it would be nice.

[zuegma 1,546]

I made a thread for it a long time ago, but it disappeared, I have no idea what happened.

 

Fair enough, I did search each suggestion section but it guess its lost in time now.

[Joao611 2,801]

Didn't even take part in any combat... plus, it's not needed. It seems to be simply ridiculous. There are tens, if not hundreds, of other aircraft that should come first.

 

So, no.

Edited September 21, 2014 by Joao611

[FockeWulf156 5,532]

Japanese TB3, yes please!

[Orlunu 6,863]

I want it so bad....

[Joeythesheep 135]

looks so good!!!!!! and derpy!!!!!

[_NVKKEZ_ 9,959]

Yes please!

[Mhtsos 725]

Nice one,it would be fun to fly it.

Against TB-3s it would be epic.Like fighting whales.

[Sabeda 171]

Didn't even take part in any combat... plus, it's not needed. It seems to be simply ridiculous. There are tens, if not hundreds, of other aircraft that should come first.

 

So, no.

PFFFFFFFFFFFFFF! never met a plane i didn't like.

[iRazgriz 14,617]

201km/h.

Getting outran by a Po-2 must hurt.

[Naam54673 1,537]

+1.Finally a  jap plane that was operational.

[Botan 7,952]

[Century 4,560]

Yes, I support it. It would like to see it fighting with a TB-3.

 

But with one condition: It should have a secondary importance. Japan tree still lacks from some more important planes.

[Orlunu 6,863]

Getting outran by a Po-2 must hurt.

Not when it's because you're humping that much armament.  I'd be happy with that any day.

[CherryBlossom 4,209]

Didn't even take part in any combat... plus, it's not needed. It seems to be simply ridiculous. There are tens, if not hundreds, of other aircraft that should come first.

 

So, no.

Well it would be good to obtain through an event, the same as the TB-3. I feel people lately do not make good enough reasons against suggestions  :dntknw:

[Draken_lord 9,320]

Ki-20 will be my swansong if ever included ingame. I'd play nothing but japanese, and play the Ki-20 extensively.

 

I mean, come on. it was kept SECRET long after it became outdated. Who wouldnt love to fly a "Secret" bomber? :D

[zuegma 1,546]

Yes, I support it. It would like to see it fighting with a TB-3.

 

But with one condition: It should have a secondary importance. Japan tree still lacks from some more important planes.

 

Yeah I did ask it to lassar a while ago and he said it was possible. I don't see it as a priority plane just an interesting early plane

[Orlunu 6,863]

Yeah I did ask it to lassar a while ago and he said it was possible. I don't see it as a priority plane just an interesting early plane

Interesting early war planes are the best planes.  With the occasional exception of interesting inter-war planes.

[Draken_lord 9,320]

Interesting early war planes are the best planes.  With the occasional exception of interesting inter-war planes.

 

Too bad the game isnt very well setup for interwar planes, whatwith many of them being relegated to "Teir one" battles, or being completely overteired. :c

[Orlunu 6,863]

Too bad the game isnt very well setup for interwar planes, whatwith many of them being relegated to "Teir one" battles, or being completely overteired. :c

I know.  Both Tier I and Tier V need far wider BR spreads.

[Draken_lord 9,320]

I know.  Both Tier I and Tier V need far wider BR spreads.

 

This needs to be a suggestion. I mean, i like the teirs as they are now, but they need like 2-2.5 BR per teir. Not just 1.0 BR between them.

[Orlunu 6,863]

This needs to be a suggestion. I mean, i like the teirs as they are now, but they need like 2-2.5 BR per teir. Not just 1.0 BR between them.

Eh, I'll put one up tomorrow AM.  Think out how to phrase it all best when I'm not nodding off.