Kawasaki Ki-28
| Industry | Aircraft manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Japan |
The aircraft, identified by the Allied codename "Bob", was a prototype fighter aircraft developed for the Imperial Japanese Army to succeed the Kawasaki Ki-10. It conducted its maiden flight in 1936 but did not enter mass production, as the Army ultimately chose the Nakajima Ki-27.
Design & Development
The Ki-28 originated from Kawasaki Kōkūki Kōgyō K.K. in response to Imperial Japanese Army requirements aiming to replace the Kawasaki Ki-10. In 1935, Kawasaki, alongside Mitsubishi and Nakajima, was commissioned to develop competing prototypes. Drawing on the design of the earlier, unsuccessful Ki-5, the Ki-28 was constructed as a low-wing cantilever monoplane primarily of metal, with control surfaces covered in fabric. It incorporated a conventional tail assembly, fixed tailskid landing gear, and was powered by a liquid-cooled inline V12 engine, specifically the Kawasaki Ha 9-II-Ko.
During evaluation trials, the Ki-28 demonstrated superior speed compared to its rivals; however, the Nakajima Ki-27 was favored due to enhanced agility and reduced wing loading, leading to its adoption by the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force. Although the Ki-28 was not selected for production, it played a significant role in Kawasaki’s development expertise that influenced subsequent fighters such as the Kawasaki Ki-60 and Kawasaki Ki-61.
Throughout World War II, Allied intelligence incorrectly assumed that the Ki-28 had entered service as the Army Type 97 Fighter and consequently assigned it the reporting name "Bob."