Tachikawa Ki-55

Tachikawa · Japan · first flew 1939 · light aircraft

The Tachikawa Ki-55 (Allied code name 'Ida') was the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force's standard advanced trainer during the Second World War, a low-wing monoplane with tandem seating and fixed undercarriage. It was used to prepare pilots for transition to combat aircraft throughout the Pacific conflict.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Low-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	8 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Japanese WWII advanced trainer with fixed spatted undercarriage
Low-wing monoplane with tandem open or enclosed cockpits
Allied reporting name 'Ida'; used extensively throughout the Pacific War

A clean low-wing monoplane with a radial engine and fixed, spatted undercarriage. The tandem cockpit arrangement and relatively high performance for a trainer distinguish it from lighter primary trainers.

Specifications

The Tachikawa Ki-55 has a length of 8 m (26 ft).
It has a wingspan of 11.8 m (39 ft).
Its maximum speed is 349 km/h (217 mph).
Typical crew: 2.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Selected over a competing Mitsubishi design in 1939, the Ki-55 entered service and became the JAAF's most important advanced trainer, with over 1,300 built. Late in the war, Ki-55 aircraft were converted or used in the Shinbu-tai special attack (kamikaze) role, carrying a pilot and bomb on one-way missions.

Variants

No major production variants; the basic Ki-55 was produced throughout its production run with minor equipment changes.

Where you'll see it

Served throughout the Japanese Army Air Force training establishment from 1940 to 1945; some examples continued in use in occupied territories after the war.

Related aircraft

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