Kawasaki Ki-3
| Industry | Aerospace |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Japan |
| Products | Aircraft manufacturing |
The Kawasaki Ki-3 was a light bomber crafted by Kawasaki Kōkūki Kōgyō K.K. during the 1930s for use by the Imperial Japanese Army. As the final biplane bomber produced for the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force, it participated in military operations in Manchukuo and northern regions of China at the onset of the Second Sino-Japanese War.
Design & Development
Constructed as an all-metal biplane, the Ki-3 incorporated light alloy and fabric coverings, featuring staggered wings and fixed, split landing gear. Its propulsion came from a supercharged BMW IX V12 inline engine, which turned a wooden two-blade propeller. The aircraft achieved a top speed of with a maximum takeoff weight of . Armament consisted of a forward-firing synchronized 7.7 mm (.303 in) machine gun and an additional flexible-mounted machine gun positioned dorsally. Bomb load capacity reached up to , operated by a two-person crew seated in open cockpits.
KDA-6 and A-6
The Ki-3 originated as an evolution of Kawasaki’s privately developed reconnaissance plane, the KDA-6, designed under German engineer Dr. Richard Vogt, with assistance from future Kawasaki chief designer Takeo Doi. Although the KDA-6 prototype demonstrated impressive capabilities, it was ultimately declined by the Imperial Japanese Army due to alterations in procurement policies. Building on this foundation, Kawasaki proceeded to develop the Army Type 93 Single-engined Light Bomber, known as the Ki-3.
A civilian adaptation named the Kawasaki A-6 functioned as a communications aircraft, notably employed by Asahi Shimbun newspaper for transporting printing plates and staff members.
Operational history
First taking to the skies in April 1933, the Kawasaki Ki-3—designated "Army Type 93-1 Single-engine Light Bomber"—was introduced into service with the 6th Composite Air Regiment stationed in Chosen (Korea). It engaged in combat missions across Manchukuo and northern China during the early phases of the Second Sino-Japanese War, utilizing its agility to provide close air support to ground forces. Despite its robustness in ground-attack roles, reliability issues arose frequently due to problems with its liquid-cooled engine’s supercharger.
Variants
- Ki-3 (Army Type 93-1 Single-engine Light Bomber): A total of 243 units were manufactured—including 3 prototypes—with production carried out by Kawasaki (200 units) and Tachikawa (40 units) between January 1934 and March 1935.
Operators
- Imperial Japanese Army Air Force
Bibliography
- Francillon, René J. (1979). Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War. Putnam & Company Ltd., London. ISBN 0-370-30251-6.
- Lake, Jon (2002). Great Book of Bombers. Zenith Press. ISBN 0-7603-1347-4.
- Mikesh, Robert; Abe, Shorzoe (1990). Japanese Aircraft, 1910-1941. Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, MD. ISBN 1-55750-563-2.