Kawasaki Ki-32
| Company type | Light bomber aircraft |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aviation, Military |
| Founded | 1937 |
| Founder | Kawasaki Aircraft Company |
| Headquarters | Japan , Japan |
| Products | Military aircraft |
The was a Japanese light bomber deployed during World War II. It was designed as a single-engine, two-seat, mid-wing cantilever monoplane equipped with fixed tailwheel landing gear. Its bomb load was carried internally within a bomb bay, with additional capacity on external racks. Allied forces assigned it the codename Mary, although the British erroneously identified it as the Kawasaki Army KB-97 Mary.
Design and development
In May 1936, the Imperial Japanese Army issued a requirement for a domestically designed light bomber to succeed the Kawasaki Ki-3. Both Mitsubishi and Kawasaki were commissioned to produce two prototypes by December 1936. The specifications called for a maximum speed of at , an operational ceiling between , the ability to reach altitude within 8 minutes, and specified engine choices including the Mitsubishi Ha-6 radial, Nakajima Ha-5 radial, or Kawasaki Ha-9-IIb liquid-cooled inline engine. Armament was to consist of one fixed forward-firing and one flexible rear machine gun, with bomb loads ranging from to kg, dive bombing capability, and a maximum takeoff weight below kg.
Kawasaki's initial prototype took flight in March 1937, followed by seven more prototypes. The primary distinction from Mitsubishi’s competing Ki-30 lay in engine selection: Mitsubishi opted for the Nakajima Ha-5 radial engine, whereas Kawasaki chose its own Ha-9-II inline V12 powerplant. Despite cooling challenges encountered in Kawasaki’s design and Mitsubishi securing the production contract first, the demands of the ongoing Second Sino-Japanese War prompted Ki-32 manufacturing to commence a year later. Ultimately, Kawasaki produced a greater number of aircraft compared to Mitsubishi’s Ki-30.
Production started in 1938 under the designation Army Type 98 Single-engine Light Bomber. By May 1940, Kawasaki had completed 854 units before halting production.
Operational history
The Ki-32 saw extensive service during the Second Sino-Japanese War, operating within the 3rd, 6th, 10th, 35th, 45th, 65th, and 75th Sentai. It also took part in the Battle of Nomonhan against Soviet forces between 1938 and 1939. Its last combat deployment involved bombing Commonwealth forces during the Japanese invasion of Hong Kong in December 1941. Following withdrawal from frontline duties in 1942, Ki-32s were reassigned for training purposes.
Throughout World War II, Japan provided Ki-32s to the Manchukuo Air Force, replacing their obsolete Kawasaki Type 88/KDA-2 bombers. The Ki-32 remained Manchukuo’s principal bomber throughout the conflict.
Operators
- Imperial Japanese Army Air Force
- No. 3 Hikō Sentai IJAAF
- No. 6 Hikō Sentai IJAAF
- No. 10 Hikō Sentai IJAAF
- No. 35 Hikō Sentai IJAAF
- No. 45 Hikō Sentai IJAAF
- No. 65 Hikō Sentai IJAAF
- No. 75 Hikō Sentai IJAAF
- In 1945, several Ki-32s were seized by the Indonesian People's Security Force (IPSF) at Japanese airfields including Bugis Air Base in Malang. The majority were destroyed amid clashes with Dutch forces during the Indonesian National Revolution (1945–1949).
See also
- Fairey Battle
- Mitsubishi Ki-30
- Mitsubishi Ki-51
- List of aircraft of World War II
- List of military aircraft of Japan
References
- Notes
Bibliography
- (Putnam Aeronautical Books, 1987 revised edition, .)