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Kawasaki Ki-102 Otsu experimental
The Kawasaki Ki-102 Otsu experimental is a Japanese aircraft created in 1945. This aircraft was created to test the I-Gо̄ Model 1 Otsu (Ki-148) rocket. Probably one such plane was built.
History
In February 1945, after the Atami incident, when an I-go 1b (Ki-148) rocket destroyed hot springs and killed one person, the Military Aviation Review Division, Flight Test Squadron, decided to divert rocket tests to Yokaichi Airport. An experimental Ki-48 was delivered there and it was decided that tests of firing the missile on the Kawasaki Ki-102 otsu aircraft could begin. In May, tests of the Ki-148 missile on the Ki-48 aircraft were resumed and modifications of the Ki-102 otsu began. The modification of the machine consisted in dismantling the Ho-5 cannons from the belly and service panels, and in the free space the assembly of mounts for the rocket. Major changes took place in the nose of the aircraft, where the Ho-401 57mm cannon was dismantled, the nose was glazed and a place for the Ki-148 missile operator was added. The operator entered through a small side hatch into the nose of the plane, where it was very cramped. The rocket was operated by Kiyoshi Iguchi, who had also previously tested it in the Kawasaki Ki-48-II otsu aircraft. As Kiyoshi Iguchi recalls, after a while he managed to get 80% of hits on the target, which was an island called Oki no Shiraishi on Lake Biwa. The Ki-102 experimental aircraft was assembled by July 1945, when tests of the Ki-148 rocket were completed and its production began. After testing, it was probably rebuilt back to the regular Ki-102 otsu.
Photos of the Ki-102 Otsu experimental
Technical description
The experimental Ki-102 Otsu is based on the regular Ki-102 Otsu from the game, but there are very important differences between them, which I will describe here.
- The Ho-5 cannons were dismantled, and mounts for the Ki-148 rocket were installed in the space left by them
- Removed the Ho-401 57mm cannon
- The upper and a part of the nose of the aircraft are glazed
- A seat for the rocket operator was installed in the nose, along with all the necessary guidance equipment.
General characteristics
- Crew: 3
- Length: 11,45 m
- Wingspan: 15,57 m
- Height: 3,70 m
- Wing area: 34,0 m2
- Empty weight: 4950 kg (?)
- Gross weight: 7300 kg (?)
- Maximum Take-off Weight: ?
- Powerplant: 2 x Mitsubishi Ha112-II 14-cylinder air-cooled radial engine, 1,120 kW (1,500 hp) each
- Propellers: Three-bladed propeller with a constant speed of rotation with a diameter of 3,000 mm.
Performance
- Maximum speed: 580 km/h (?)
- Cruising speed: ?
- Range: 2000 km
- Maximum Range: ?
- Service ceiling: 10 000 m
- Climb Rate: 12,08 m/s
- Rate of climb: 6 min 54 sec to 5,000 m
Armament
- Guns:
- 1 x Ho-103 Mobile Machine Gun in the rear gunner’s position (200 rounds)
- Rocket:
- Kawasaki I-Gо̄ Model 1 Otsu (Ki-148)
- Fuel dump tanks
- 2 x 200 l in additional tanks
Armour
- Same as the Ki-102 otsu from the game, only without the armor of the Ho-401 57mm gun
Special thanks
Summary
The Kawasaki Ki-102 Otsu experimental is a very interesting aircraft for Japan in War Thunder. This aircraft, although it does not have any capabilities to fight enemy aircraft, provides a fast CAS aircraft. Compared to the Ki-48-II Otsu of the Ki-148, the Ki-102 Otsu is faster and can be fordered with the regular Ki-102 Otsu. This aircraft is also suitable for Premium or event aircraft (not recommended).
Internet sources
キ102 (航空機) - Wikipedia
Kawasaki Ki-102 - Wikipedia
Kawasaki Ki 102 [Randy] : Kawasaki
Warplanes of Japan: Kawasaki Ki-102
イ号一型乙無線誘導弾 - Wikipedia
Уголок неба ¦ Kawasaki Ki-102
Mitsubishi Ki-147 & Kawasaki Ki-148, “I-Gō”「イ号」- Japanese Guided Missiles! - Passed for Consideration - War Thunder - Official Forum
Book sources
- Lotnictwo Ns 20 page 36-49
Lotnictwo Ns 20 | PDF - Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War page 134-138
- Source: Kaikō , February 1988, pp.53-54.
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