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Mitsubishi Ka-8 (8-Shi)(三菱 カ-8)
The Mitsubishi Ka-8 is a Japanese prototype reconnaissance and fighter aircraft created in 1934. This aircraft competed with the Nakajima NAF-2 aircraft. Two prototypes of the Mitsubishi Ka-8 aircraft were created.
History
In 1932, the Japanese Navy began a three-year plan to modernize its air force. In 1933, in a competition, 8-Shi commanders ordered the production of a reconnaissance fighter aircraft. The competition requirements were based in part on the successful protoyp of the Nakajima NAF-1 aircraft. The requirements were sent to the Mitsubishi (Ka-8) and Nakajima (NAF-2) plants. The main designers of the Ka-8 aircraft (internal company name) were engineers Eitaro Sano and Konosuke Nakamura. In June 1933, a mock-up of the aircraft was ready, which was presented to the navy and the construction of the first prototype began, which was ready in January 1934. The first flight of the Ka-8 aircraft took place at Kagamigahara Airport, and the pilot was Yoshitaka Kajima. The aircraft was then sent to the Navy for testing along with the Nakajima NAF-2 aircraft. During the tests, the Ka-8 proved to be more than the competition in terms of performance, which is why Mitsubishi built a polished second prototype of the Ka-8. The second prototype of the Ka-8 had improvements that were to improve its piloting capabilities. Unfortunately, on September 16, 1934, during diving flight tests, the plane’s hull was damaged, and the plane began to fall uncontrollably. The pilot of the plane parachuted out, but the observer did not succeed and died when the plane crashed to the ground. This accident destroyed the Mitsubishi Ka-8 aircraft in the competition (although the Nakajima NAF-2 did not win the competition either), but it gave the necessary experience for Mitsubishi, which it used in the F1M aircraft.
Photos Mitsubishi Ka-8
Art about the Mitsubishi Ka-8
Construction description
The Mitsubishi Ka-8 is a two-seater fighter-reconnaissance aircraft in a biplane configuration with fixed landing gear. The aircraft had double vertical stabilizers. The Ka-8 had a welded metal frame, partially covered with aluminum and canvas. The aircraft was powered by a nine-cylinder Nakajima Kotobuki 2 radial engine with a stat power of 580 hp (430 kW), which rotated a two-bladed metal propeller with a diameter of 2690 mm. The aircraft was armed with two 7.7mm Vickers machine guns above the engine and a single 7.7mm Vickers machine gun in the observer’s cockpit.
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 7,39 m
- Wingspan: 10,00 m
- Height: 3,35 m m
- Wing area: 26,00 m2
- Empty weight: 1153 kg
- Gross weight: 1700 kg
- Maximum Take-off Weight: ?
- Powerplant: 1 x Nakajima Kotobuki 2 nine-cylinder radial engine with a stat power of 580 hp (430 kW)
- Propellers: Two-bladed metal propeller with a diameter of 2690 mm.
Performance
- Maximum speed: 286 km/h
- Cruising speed: 225 km/h
- Range: ?
- Maximum Range: 700 km
- Service ceiling: 5800 m
- Climb Rate: ?
- Rate of climb: ?
Armament
- 2 x Vickers 7.7mm fixed machine guns in the nose
- 1 x Vickers 7.7mm mobile machine gun in the observer’s cabin
Special thanks
Summary
The Mitsubishi Ka-8 is an interesting aircraft for Japan in War Thunder. This aircraft would be an unusual low-age fighter that could surprise an unprepared opponent. This aircraft is suitable as a premium aircraft or to be researched as an early naval aircraft. In addition, in the future, this aircraft may be assembled as a reconnaissance aircraft. 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
八試複座戦闘機 - Wikipedia
Mitsubishi Ka-8 - Wikipedia
Уголок неба ¦ Mitsubishi Ka.8
Micubiši Ka-8 8-Ši : Micubiši
8-Shi experimenteller trägergestützte zweisitziger Jäger Mitsubishi Ka-8
Book sources
- The Xplanes of Imperial Japanese Army and Navy 1924-45 page 174
The Xplanes of Imperial Japanese Army and Navy 1924-45 | PDF - Mikesh, Robert C.; Abe, Shorzoe (1990).Japanese Aircraft, 1910-1941 page 171
- Japońskie Samoloty Marynarki 1912-45 (Japanese naval aircraft 1912-45) page 66
Japońskie Samoloty Marynarki 1912-45 | PDF
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