- Yes
- No
Kawasaki Ki-60.01 (川崎 キ60)
The Kawasaki Ki-60.01 is the first prototype of the Ki-60 interceptor created in May 1941. This aircraft was used for tests and was briefly transferred to the Independent Squadron of 47 Squadron along with the other Ki-60s.
History
At the end of 1939, the Japanese Army Air Force Command decided, after the experience of fighting the Russians, that a new heavy interceptor fighter was needed to destroy enemy bombers. In February, the development of a new heavy fighter (and light) was ordered from the Kawaski plant, and the same order was sent to the Nakajima plant. The Kawasaki plant decided to use its connections in Germany to obtain DB601A engines and licenses for their production under the designation Ha-40. This engine was to power the Ki-60 aircraft, which was also supposed to have a powerful armament (2x 12.7mm, 2x 20mm). The project was led by Takeo Doi and Shin Owada. The aircraft without an engine was ready at the beginning of 1941, but due to problems with the production of Ha-40 engines, the DB601A engine was used in order not to delay the project. With this engine, the aircraft was delivered for testing in May 1941 and quickly became very disliked by test pilots. This aircraft was characterized by a long take-off, high weight, high wing load and a heavy control stick. Some test pilots said that the heavy bombers turned better than the first prototype Ki-60. In addition, instead of the planned speed of 605 km/h, the plane reached only 548 km/h. This led to the decision to modify the next two prototypes (Ki-60.02 and Ki-60.03) in order to reduce their weight. This plane also had a tendency to get into corkscrews and lose speed quickly. At the end of 1941, Kawasaki abandoned the Ki-60 project in favor of the Ki-61 light fighter, and all three Ki-60 prototypes were sent to the Independent Squadron of 47 Squadron, where two of them crashed. Only one aircraft survived until the end of the war, but it is not known which one it was.
Ki-60.01 with the rest of the Ki-60s
Construction description
The Ki-60.01 was a metal, single-seat low-wing wing powered by the DB601A engine in an inverted V configuration. The main landing gear in a classic layout retracts to the wings. The aircraft had two 20mm MG151/20 cannons installed in the wings, and two 12.7mm Ho-103 machine guns in the nose.
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 8,4 m
- Wingspan: 9,78 m
- Height: 2,75 m
- Wing area: 15,9 m2
- Empty weight: 2,290 kg
- Gross weight: 2,890 kg
- Powerplant: 1 × Daimler-Benz DB 601A V-12 inverted liquid-cooled piston engine, 875 kW (1,173 hp) for take off
- Propellers: 3-bladed Constant-speed propeller
Performance
- Maximum speed: 548 km/h
- Range: 980 km
- Service Ceiling: 9780 m
- Time to Climb: 8,0 min to 5000 m
Armament
- 2 x 12.7 mm Ho-103 machine guns in the nose
- 2 x 20 mm MG151/20 cannons in the wings
Special thanks
Summary
The Kawasaki Ki-60.01 is an interesting aircraft for Japan in War Thunder. This plane can be said not to be Japanese, but more Western (German) due to its enormous firepower and poor maneuverability. The Ki-60.01 would be a useful aircraft that could wreak havoc in head-on duels, but be weak in dogfights.I encourage you to discuss in the comments and to share your own knowledge on this subject.
Finally, I apologize for the linguistic and logical errors because unfortunately English is not my main language and I had to use google translator.
Internet sources
キ60 (航空機) - Wikipedia
Kawasaki Ki-60 - Wikipedia
Kawasaki Ki 60.01 : Kawasaki
Уголок неба ¦ Kawasaki Ki-60
Japanese Aircraft of WWII: Kawasaki Ki-60
Kawasaki Ki-60 Fighter
Prototypowy myśliwiec Kawasaki Ki-60 - SmartAge.pl
Kawasaki Ki-60 Single-Seat, Single-Engine Interceptor / Fighter Aircraft
Kawasaki Ki-60: Photos, History, Specification
Kawasaki Ki-60 - Japan - War Thunder - Official Forum
Kawasaki Ki-60 - fighter
Kawasaki Ki.60 Info
Kawasaki Ki-60
Book sources
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