Kawanishi K-2
Kawanishi · Japan · first flew 1921 · light aircraft
The Kawanishi K-2 was the first specialised Japanese racing aircraft, flown in late summer 1921.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Radiator mounted above the fuselage near the rear of the engine |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Single-seat low-wing racing monoplane with a wooden structure and fabric covering
- Radiator mounted above the fuselage near the rear of the engine
- No separate fin: the rudder hinged on the end of the fuselage
A low-wing racer with a fixed undercarriage and a pilot seated well behind the trailing edge.
Specifications
- The Kawanishi K-2 has a length of 6.57 m (22 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 9.67 m (32 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 260 km/h (162 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
It was built after the pilot Yukichi Goto suggested a specialised racer. It was advanced for its time because it was a monoplane. Bracing wires and later short strut pairs were added to the cantilever wing.
Variants
Only one was built, powered by a 200 to 244 hp Hall-Scott L-6.
Where you'll see it
It was unofficially timed at 257 km/h on 11 July 1921, but a series of accidents prevented any victories or records.
Related aircraft
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