Kawasaki Ki-96
Kawasaki · Japan · first flew 1943 · fighter
The Kawasaki Ki-96 was a Japanese single-seat, twin-engine heavy fighter of the Second World War. It was intended to replace the Kawasaki Ki-45 in Army service.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 11.45 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Single-seat, twin-engine heavy fighter
- Two 14-cylinder air-cooled radial engines
- Larger and evolved from the Kawasaki Ki-45
A twin-engine fighter with radial engines, armed with a 37 mm Ho-203 cannon and two 20 mm Ho-5 cannon.
Specifications
- The Kawasaki Ki-96 has a length of 11.45 m (38 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 15.57 m (51 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 600 km/h (373 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Kawasaki began development on its own authority in August 1942 as an evolved, larger Ki-45. The Army asked for single-seat fighters, and the first prototype flew in September 1943.
Variants
Three prototypes were built. The first retained the larger canopy intended for the two-seater, and the other two were built as single-seaters with a smaller canopy.
Where you'll see it
It was not adopted, because the Army requirement reverted to a two-seat fighter. Its wings and tail unit were used in the Ki-102 two-seat fighter.
Related aircraft
- Kawasaki Ki-64
- Kawasaki Ki-100
- Kawasaki Ki-60
- Kawasaki Ki-48
- Arado Ar 440
- Brewster F3A-1 Corsair
- Brewster XA-32
- Curtiss P-40 N Warhawk
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 8,606 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.