Nakajima Ki-201

The Nakajima Ki-201 Karyū (中島 キ201 火龍, "Fire Dragon") was a Japanese jet fighter-attacker project designed during the final stages of World War II but which was never completed.

Ki-201 "Karyū"
Nakajima Ki-201 Karyū
Role Jet Fighter-Attacker Aircraft
Manufacturer Nakajima Aircraft Company
Designer Iwao Shibuya
Status Cancelled
Number built 0

Development

The Nakajima Kikka had been inspired by the successful German Messerschmitt Me 262, but the similarities to that aircraft were limited to the general configuration.[1] On the other hand, the design team led by Iwao Shibuya based the Karyū far more closely on the German aircraft, which had already proven itself quite formidable.

The Ki-201 project was ordered by the Imperial Japanese Army between October and December 1944, with the Army laying out a performance requirement of an 800~1,000 km/h top speed, 12,000 meter practical ceiling, and 800~1,000 km range. The design was advanced by Nakajima during 1945 and the basic drawings were completed in June.[2]

Nakajima anticipated the completion of the first Karyū by December 1945, and the first 18 units by March 1946.[2] Most sources agree that work on the first prototype had not yet begun by the time of the Japanese surrender.[1][2]

Specifications (planned specification)

Data from Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War;[3] Famous Aircraft of the World, first series, no.76: Japanese Army Experimental Fighters (1)[4]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 11.50 m (37 ft 9 in)
  • Wingspan: 13.70 m (44 ft 11 in)
  • Height: 4.05 m (13 ft 3 in)
  • Wing area: 25.0 m2 (269 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 4,500 kg (9,921 lb)
  • Gross weight: 7,000 kg (15,432 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 8,500 kg (18,739 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Nakajima Ne-230 turbojet engines, 8.68 kN (1,951 lbf) thrust each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 812 km/h (505 mph, 438 kn)
  • Range: 980 km (610 mi, 530 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 12,000 m (39,000 ft)
  • Rate of climb: 12.9 m/s (2,540 ft/min)
  • Wing loading: 280 kg/m2 (57 lb/sq ft)

Armament

  • Guns: 2 × 30 mm (1.18 in) Ho-155 cannon and 2 × 20 mm Ho-5 cannon
  • Bombs: 1 × 500kg (1,102 lb) or 800 kg (1,764 lb) bomb

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

Notes
  1. Mikesh 1979, p. 28.
  2. FAOW. 1976. p. 82.
  3. Francillon 1979, p. 488.
  4. FAOW 1976, p. 42.

Bibliography
  • Francillon, René J. Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War. London, Putnam & Company, 1970 (Second edition 1979). ISBN 0-370-30251-6.
  • Green, William. War Planes of the Second World War: Fighters, Volume Three. London: Macdonald, 1961 (Seventh impression 1973). ISBN 0-356-01447-9.
  • Mikesh, Robert C. Kikka, Monogram Close-Up 19. Bolyston, Massachusetts: Monogram Aviation Publications, 1979. ISBN 0-914144-19-7.
  • Unknown Author. Famous Aircraft of the World, first series, no.76: Japanese Army Experimental Fighters (1). Japan: Bunrin-Do Co. Ltd., August 1976.
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