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Mitsubishi Ki-18 (三菱 キ18)
The Mitsubishi Ki-18 is a Japanese prototype fighter created in 1935. This aircraft was created due to the Japanese army’s interest in the Mitsubishi A5M prototype (Ka-14) . Only one prototype was built.
History
In 1934, when work on the successors to the Nakajima Type 91 and Kawasaki Type 92 fighters was underway, Mitsubishi was working on the Ka-14 (the A5M prototype). The Japanese army became interested in this fighter and proposed to Mitsubishi to create an aircraft for the army based on the prototype Ka-14. This aircraft was to compete with the Kawasaki (Ki-10) and Nakajima (Ki-11) aircraft. Mitsubishi modified the aircraft specifically to meet the requirements of the army. The landing gear was modified, the rudder was enlarged, a new engine cowling and army armament were installed (change of Type 92 machine guns to Type 89). The aircraft was completed in August 1935 and went to the Army for testing, where the aircraft was designated Ki-18. Tests showed problems with stability and maneuverability, but the speed of flight and climb were very good. Then the Mitsubishi Ki-18 was evaluated by specialists, who showed that the Nakajima Kotobuki 5 engine was unreliable and faulty. Therefore, the Japanese army rejected the aircraft in favor of the better Kawasaki Ki-10. Mitsubishi was very unhappy with this fact (it hoped to sell Ka-14-based aircraft (A5M and Ki-18) for the army and navy), so it no longer tried to take part in competitions for army fighters. The exception was the Ki-33, which was an evolution of the Ki-18 and was created in 1936 to replace the Ki-10.
Art about the Mitsubishi Ki-18
Technical description
The Mitsubishi Ki-18 is a single-seater low-wing fighter with a fixed landing gear. The plane was of metal construction with canvas-covered control surfaces. The Ki-18 was powered by a 9-cylinder Nakajima Kotobuki 5 radial piston engine with a take-off power of 405 kW (550 hp), which rotated a wooden two-bladed propeller with a diameter of 2,900 mm. The plane had two Type 89 7,7mm machine guns in its nose.
Technical sketches
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 7,65 m
- Wingspan: 11 m
- Height: 3,15 m
- Wing area: 17,80 m2
- Empty weight: 1100 kg
- Gross weight: 1422 kg
- Powerplant: 1 × Nakajima Kotobuki 5, air-cooled nine-cylinder radial engine with take-off power of 405 kW (550 hp)
- Propellers: wooden two-bladed propeller with a diameter of 2,900 mm
Performance
- Maximum speed: 444 km/h
- Cruising speed: 390 km/h
- Range: 900 km
- Maximum Range: ?
- Service ceiling: 9800 m
- Climb Rate: 12,98 m/s
- Time to Climb to: 6,5 min to 5000 m
Armament
- 2 x Type 89 7.7mm Machine Guns in the nose (500 rounds per rifle (?))
Special thanks
Summary
The Mitsubishi Ki-18 is an interesting fighter for Japan in War Thunder. This aircraft would be a good complement to the fighters of the Japanese army, which will be a fairly fast fighter. The Mitsubishi Ki-18 would also be a good Premium or event fighter. 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18 (航空機) - Wikipedia
Mitsubishi Ki-18 - Wikipedia
Micubiši Ki 18 : Micubiši
Уголок неба ¦ Mitsubishi Ki-18
Mitsubishi Ki-18
Mitsubishi Ki-18 - fighter
Опытный истребитель Mitsubishi Ki-18 (三菱 キ18). Япония - Альтернативная История
Book sources
- The Xplanes of Imperial Japanese Army and Navy 1924-45 page 26
The Xplanes of Imperial Japanese Army and Navy 1924-45 | PDF - Mikesh, Robert C.; Abe, Shorzoe (1990).Japanese Aircraft, 1910-1941 page 186-187
Thank you for reading the suggestion, see you in the next one. Good luck pilots
