Mitsubishi Ki-109
Mitsubishi · Japan · first flew 1944 · fighter
The Mitsubishi Ki-109 was a Japanese heavy interceptor and bomber-destroyer derived from the Ki-67 Hiryu medium bomber, armed with a 75 mm cannon for attacking American B-29 Superfortresses at high altitude. It was one of the few aircraft of any nation to carry such a large-calibre weapon.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 18.7 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Japanese WWII heavy bomber-destroyer
- Converted from Ki-67 Hiryu bomber airframe
- Armed with 75 mm cannon in solid nose
Resembles the Ki-67 Hiryu medium bomber but with a distinctive solid nose housing the large 75 mm cannon, removing the normal glazed bombardier station; twin Ha-104 radial engines and mid-mounted twin-fin tail.
Specifications
- The Mitsubishi Ki-109 has a length of 18.7 m (61 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 22.5 m (74 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 550 km/h (342 mph).
- Typical crew: 3.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
As B-29 raids intensified over the Japanese home islands from late 1944, the JAAF sought a dedicated interceptor capable of matching the bomber's altitude. Mitsubishi adapted the Ki-67 airframe, replacing the bomb bay with a solid nose housing a Type 88 75 mm cannon. Only 22 examples were completed before the war's end, and high-altitude performance proved disappointing.
Variants
The Ki-109 existed in a single operational variant; earlier development used the Ki-67-I Ko and Otsu as test beds. The concept was not developed further due to poor results and the war's end.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the 107th Sentai of the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force from late 1944, primarily defending the Kanto Plain area. Operational results were limited due to insufficient engine power at altitude and the type's handling characteristics.
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