| Ki-96 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Twin engineheavy fighter |
| National origin | Japan |
| Manufacturer | Kawasaki Kōkūki Kōgyō K.K. |
| Number built | 3 |
| History | |
| First flight | September 1943 |
| Developed from | Kawasaki Ki-45 |
| Developed into | Kawasaki Ki-102 |
TheKawasaki Ki-96 was a Japanese single seat, twin-engineheavy fighter of World War II. It was intended to replace theKawasaki Ki-45s of theImperial Japanese Army Air Service. However, it was not adopted, and only threeprototypes were built.
The success of theKawasaki Ki-45 led Kawasaki to start development of an evolved version, on Kawasaki's own authority, in August 1942.[1] Like the Ki-45, the proposed design was a two-seat, twin-engine fighter but larger and using more powerful engines. In December 1942, theKoku Hombu (Imperial Japanese Army Aviation Bureau) showed interest but asked Kawasaki to complete the aircraft as single-seat fighters.[1] The first prototype, which was converted while being produced and which retained the largercockpitcanopy intended for the two-seater, flew in September 1943. The two remaining prototypes were built from the start as single-seaters and were fitted with a smaller canopy.[2]
Despite demonstrating performance exceeding estimates and excellent handling, the Army's requirements had changed back to a two-seat fighter,[3] so further development of the Ki-96 was stopped. The wings and tail unit of the Ki-96 would however form part of the structure of theKi-102 two-seat fighter.[3][4]
Data fromWar Planes of the Second World War - Fighters - Vol. 3;[5] WW2 Aircraft Fact Files: Japanese Army Fighters, Part 1;[4] Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War[3]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
