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From: Miloch <Miloch_member@newsguy.com>
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Subject: Kawasaki Ki-48
Date: 15 Sep 2019 07:22:15 -0700
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawasaki_Ki-48
The Kawasaki Ki-48, (shiki-souhatu-keibaku,) shortened to 'Sokei', Army Type 99
Twin-engined Light Bomber, was a Japanese twin-engine light bomber that was used
during World War II. Its Allied reporting name was "Lily".
The development of the aircraft began at the end of 1937 at the request of the
Japanese military high command. Kawasaki received an order to develop a
"high-speed bomber" capable of 480 km/h (300 mph) at 3,000 m (9,840 ft), and
able to reach 5,000 m (16,400 ft) within 10 minutes. It was inspired by the
Soviet Tupolev SB.
Kawasaki had the advantage of the experience of designing the Ki-45 twin-engined
heavy fighter. Most technical problems were solved; however the aircraft had a
number of shortcomings. It carried only an 800 kg (1,760 lb) bombload. This was
actually more than contemporary light bombers such as the Bristol Blenheim or
Tupolev SB, and only slightly less than light bombers designed several years
later, such as the A-20 Havoc, and the strikingly similar-appearing Martin
Maryland and Baltimore. Speed was intended to be its primary defense, much like
the later, unarmed, De Havilland Mosquito. So it had only three machine guns
(again, an equivalent armament to contemporary light bombers). This made it very
vulnerable to enemy fighters later in the war, once they became fast enough to
actually catch it. The flight characteristics of the Ki-48 also left much to be
desired. Newer generations of Allied fighters caught up in speed, and
eventually, the Ki-48 was too slow to outrun them, while superior modern
Japanese aircraft, such as the Yokosuka P1Y and the Mitsubishi Ki-67, could only
be produced in small numbers. The first versions were lightly armoured, so the
Ki-48 was quite aerobatic, and could loop and turn with an experienced pilot at
the controls. The aircraft was often used as a dive bomber in Burma. The
aircraft was not necessarily a failure, and was considered an acceptable light
bomber for the first few years of the war by many historians. Much like the
Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter, it was satisfactory for the period when it was
designed and produced, but had to be used against much newer and faster
competition, due to Japan's inability to produce enough newer aircraft.
Role
Light bomber
Manufacturer
Kawasaki Kokuki Kogyo K.K.
Designer
Takeo Doi
Introduction
1940
Retired
1945
Status
Retired
Primary user
Imperial Japanese Army Air Force
Number built
1,997
The aircraft served in China from late 1940, replacing the Kawasaki Ki-32, and
were widely used in the Philippines, Malaya, Burma, New Guinea, the Solomon
Islands and the Dutch East Indies, where the Ki-48 Ia and Ib models, slow and
badly armed, were supplemented by the marginally improved Ki-48 IIa and IIc,
which were maintained in service along with the older types until the end of the
war.
All models continued in service until the Battle of Okinawa during April 1945,
when many were converted into kamikaze aircraft (Ki-48-II KAI Tai-Atari) armed
with an 800 kg (1,760 lb) bomb. Some aircraft was modified to act as testbeds;
one carried the Kawasaki Ki-148 guided missile intended for use on the Kawasaki
Ki-102 in late 1944, and one was modified to test a Ne-0 pulsejet engine in late
1944-early 1945.
The fact that all models continued in service until 1945 reflects that many
Ki-48s survived more often than not. This was due to the use of small ship
typically Nakajima Ki-43s. Although not as fast as more modern fighters, after
1942, the aircraft was still fast enough to enable it to often avoid
interception unless it ran into a standing patrol of fighters. The 90th Air
Regiment of the 5th Air Army (based in Hopei, north China) equipped with Ki-48s
was the only Japanese air unit in China proper to engage the Soviets, although
others were advanced in preparation. It flew 20 sorties against the Soviets
during 14 August 1945.
Ki-48 Special Attack Unit
The British Pacific Fleet departed from Ceylon on 16 January 1945 en route to
Australia, and struck Japanese-held oil wells and refineries at Palembang,
On 29 January, seven Kawasaki Ki-48 of the Army's Shichisi Mitate Tokubetsu
Kogeki Tai counter-attacked the Allied fleet at low level as the British
aircraft were returning from Palembang. The British radar picture was confused
by the presence of over 100 friendly aircraft and the first two or three
Supermarine Seafire CAP interceptions did not occur until just before the Ki-48
formation entered the air defence zone. The last pair of Seafires chased the
five remaining Ki-48s inside the screen, and with the support of returning
Vought F4U Corsairs and Grumman F6F Hellcats which had just been scrambled, shot
down all of them, amongst intense AA fire. One Seafire was slightly damaged and
one Hellcat was written off by friendly fire, but the only ship to be damaged
was the carrier HMS Illustrious, hit by heavy AA shells.
Such success, minor by Pacific fighting standards at the time, gave the British
Pacific Fleet useful expertise and confidence in its ability to deal with
kamikaze attacks.
Specifications (Ki-48-IIa)
General characteristics
Crew: Four
Length: 12.75 m (41 ft 9 in)
Wingspan: 17.45 m (57 ft 3 in)
Height: 3.8 m (12 ft 5 in)
Empty weight: 4,550 kg (10,031 lb)
Loaded weight: 6,500 kg (14,350 lb)
Max. takeoff weight: 6,750 kg (14,881 lb)
Performance
Maximum speed: 505 km/h (273 kn, 314 mph) at 5,600 m (18,375 ft)
Range: 2,400 km (1,296 nmi, 1,491 mi)
Service ceiling: 10,100 m (33,135 ft)
Armament
positions
800 kg (1,764 lb) of bombs
*
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