| Ki-19 | |
|---|---|
 Nakajima Ki-19 after civilian conversion for Domei Tsushin news agency | |
| General information | |
| Type | prototype twin-engineheavy bomber |
| Manufacturer | Nakajima Aircraft Company |
| Primary user | IJA Air Force |
| Number built | 4 |
| History | |
| First flight | August1937 |
TheNakajima Ki-19 (中島 キ19,Ki-jyukyu) was an unsuccessful attempt byNakajima Aircraft Company to meet a 1935 requirement issued by the Japanese government for a modernbomber to replace theMitsubishi Ki-1heavy bomber.[1]
Unlike in earlier projects, theImperial Japanese Army issued, in February 1936, detailed specifications that had to be met by the new aircraft. These included a maximum speed 399 km/h (248 mph) at 3,000 m (9,840 ft); climb to altitude in under eight minutes; take-off in less than 300 m (980 ft); normal operating altitude from 2,000 m (6,560 ft) to 4,000 m (13,120 ft); and endurance of more than five hours at 299 km/h (186 mph) at 3,000 m (9,840 ft). Structural strength was specified as well, including a load factor of six while at highangle of attack, and four while in a glide. Minimum bombload for short-range missions was to be 1,500 kg (3,310 lb) with a variety of load configurations. Loaded, the bomber was to have a weight of less than 1,000 kg (2,200 lb). Other specified requirements were a crew of from four to six; engines to be either theNakajima Ha-5 orMitsubishi Ha-6; and three gun positions (nose, dorsal, andventral, each with one flexible 7.7 mm (0.303 in)Type 89 machine gun). The Hi-2 (Type 94) or Hi-5 radio and other details were also specified.[2]
Nakajima's veteran design team includedKenichi Matsumura as chief designer, assisted bySetsuro Nishimura andToshio Matsuda, all of whom had previous twin-engine design experience on the Nakajima's licensed-produced version of theDouglas DC-2 commercialairliner project, and the short-livedLB-2 long-range attack bomber project for theImperial Japanese Navy.[2]
The Ki-19 was a mid-wingcantilevermonoplane of all-metal construction with fabric-coveredcontrol surfaces. The aircraft had abomb bay within a very streamlinedfuselage, as opposed to carrying the bombs externally. Douglas-typehydraulically-operated retractablelanding gear and split-flaps were used.[2]
Performance testing by the Tachikawa Army Air Technical Research Institute with the competingMitsubishi Ki-21 lasted from March to May 1937. Evaluation was continued at the Army's main bomber base atHamamatsu for bombing and other operational testing beginning in June. Not completely satisfied with the combinations ofairframe and engines, the Army ordered both Ki-19prototypes to be powered by Mitsubishi Ha-6 engines, while the two prototypes of the Mitsubishi Ki-21 were also converted to be powered by Nakajima Ha-5 engines.[2]
Prototypes from the two companies were almost identical in performance, but the Army officially selected the Mitsubishi Ki-21 as the "Army Type 97 Heavy Bomber", Nakajima having lost the Army contract.[2]
The fourth[2] prototype was converted to themail plane in April 1939; it got the new designationN-19. It was commonly referred to as theN-19 Long-Range Communications Aircraft and sold to theDomei Tsushin (Domei Press Agency) under registrationJ-BACN and was namedDomei No.2.[2]
Data fromJapanese Aircraft, 1910-1941[2]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
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