Kawasaki Ki-64
| Company type | Prototype fighter aircraft |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aviation, Military |
| Founded | December 1943 |
| Headquarters | Japan |
| Products | Heavy single-seat fighter aircraft prototype |
The Kawasaki Ki-64 (Allied reporting name: Rob) was an innovative prototype of a heavy, single-seat fighter that incorporated two significant engineering advancements. Its propulsion system consisted of a pair of Kawasaki Ha-40 engines mounted in tandem configuration—one positioned at the front of the fuselage and the other situated behind the pilot’s cockpit—connected via a driveshaft to operate dual, three-bladed, contra-rotating propellers. This powerplant arrangement was known as the Kawasaki Ha-201. Moreover, the aircraft featured an unconventional cooling method by integrating its wing surfaces to function as radiators for its liquid-cooled engines. The Ki-64 took to the skies for the first time in December 1943; however, during its fifth flight, a fire erupted in the rear engine, forcing an emergency landing that caused damage. By mid-1944, development was discontinued in favor of other more viable projects. After World War II, components of its distinctive cooling system were studied at Wright Field.
Bibliography
- (new edition 1987 by Putnam Aeronautical Books, .)