Tachikawa Ki-54
Tachikawa · Japan · first flew 1940 · transport aircraft
The Tachikawa Ki-54 was a twin-engine crew trainer and utility transport built for the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force. Allied forces gave it the codename 'Hickory', and it was used throughout the Pacific War in multiple roles.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Low-wing twin radial engine monoplane with a boxy crew compartment fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Japanese Army twin-engine crew trainer and utility transport, called 'Hickory' by Allies
- Low-wing twin radial engine monoplane with a boxy crew compartment fuselage
- Retractable undercarriage, tandem cockpit arrangement for multi-crew training
A conventional twin-engine low-wing monoplane with two radial engines, a wider-than-normal fuselage for its size to accommodate student crew positions, and retractable undercarriage; somewhat resembles a smaller Lockheed Lodestar in overall layout.
Specifications
- The Tachikawa Ki-54 has a length of 11.94 m (39 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 17.9 m (59 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 375 km/h (233 mph).
- Typical crew: 2 + 8 trainees or passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Entering IJAAF service in 1940, the Ki-54 was designed to provide twin-engine crew qualification training for pilots, navigators, and bombardiers. Its good load-carrying ability led to its widespread use as a light transport and communications aircraft.
Variants
The Ki-54a was the crew trainer; the Ki-54b was an armed advanced trainer; the Ki-54c was a transport and liaison version; several sub-variants existed with different equipment fits.
Where you'll see it
Widely used by the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force throughout Asia and the Pacific in training and transport roles from 1940 to the end of the war; also operated by Manchurian and other allied air forces.
Related aircraft
- Tachikawa Ki-55
- Tachikawa Ki-36
- Tachikawa Ki-9
- Tachikawa Ki-92
- Aichi H9A
- Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle
- Curtiss C-46 Commando
- DFS 331
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