Kawasaki KDA-3
Kawasaki · Japan · first flew 1928 · fighter
The Kawasaki KDA-3 was a single-engine, parasol-wing, single-seat experimental fighter designed by Dornier engineer Dr Richard Vogt and built by Kawasaki for the Japanese Imperial Army.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.85 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Parasol wing on a single-seat fighter
- BMW VI twelve-cylinder water-cooled engine in the nose
- Designed by Dornier engineer Richard Vogt, using the Dornier Do H as a starting point
A single-engine parasol-wing fighter with a BMW VI engine and two forward-firing 7.7 mm machine guns.
Specifications
- The Kawasaki KDA-3 has a length of 8.85 m (29 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 12.6 m (41 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 283 km/h (176 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
It was built to replace the Ko-4 and first flew in 1928, using the high-wing German Dornier Do H as a starting point. The first prototype was to be delivered on 1 April 1928, but its landing gear collapsed before delivery.
Variants
Only three prototypes were built, and the type was not ordered into production. One of them received the Japanese civil registration J-BEYF.
Where you'll see it
The Army cancelled the competition and the Nakajima design won, entering production as the Type 91. The experience gained was used in the Kawasaki KDA-5, which became the Army Type 92 fighter.
Related aircraft
- Kawasaki KDC-2
- Kawasaki Ka 87 (Army Type 87 Heavy Bomber)
- Kawasaki KDA-5 (Army Type 92 Fighter)
- Kawasaki C-5
- Amiot 110
- Blackburn F.2 Lincock
- Boeing F3B
- Boeing P-12/F4B
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 8,606 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.