Kawasaki Army Type 92 Fighter

KDA-5 (Type 92)

Role	Single-seat biplane fighter
Manufacturer	Kawasaki Kōkūki Kōgyō K.K.
Designer	Richard Vogt of Dornier
First flight	1930
Introduction	1932
Primary user	Imperial Japanese Army Air Force
Number built	385

The Kawasaki KDA-5 was a Japanese single-seat biplane fighter designed by the German Dr. Richard Vogt for the Imperial Japanese Army.

Development

The KDA-5 was designed by Richard Vogt to meet a Japanese Army requirement for a fighter biplane. Five prototypes were built by Kawasaki Kōkūki Kōgyō K.K. and first flown in 1930. Following testing, the aircraft was ordered into production in 1932 as the Army Type 92 Model 1 Fighter.^[1] The aircraft had unequal-span sesquiplane wings and fixed tailwheel landing gear and was powered by a 470 kW (630 hp) BMW VI engine. After 180 aircraft were built, production continued with a structurally strengthened and more powerful Type 92 Model 2. A further 200 Model 2s were built.^[1]

Operational history

Both versions saw action with the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force in Manchukuo (Manchuria), although it proved unpopular owing to its unstable take-off and landing behaviour and being difficult to maintain, particularly in cold weather.^[1] A few were still in service in 1941 as trainers.

Variants

KDA-5: Five prototypes.
Type 92 Model 1 Fighter: Initial production variant with changed fin and rudder and faired headrest, 180 built.
Type 92 Model 2 Fighter: Improved version with structural strengthing and more powerful ( kW/750 hp) BMW VII engine, 200 built.

Operators

Japan

Imperial Japanese Army Air Force

Specifications (92-I)

Data from The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft,^[2] The Complete Book of Fighters^[3]

General characteristics

Crew: 1
Length: 7.05 m (23 ft 1½ in)
Wingspan: 9.55 m (31 ft 4 in)
Height: 3.10 m (10 ft 2 in)
Wing area: 24.0 m² (258 ft²)
Empty weight: 1,280 kg (2,822 lb)
Gross weight: 1,700 kg (3,747 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × BMW VI, 470 kW (630 hp)

Performance

Maximum speed: 320 km/h (199 mph)
Range: 850 km (528 miles)

Armament

2 × 7.7 mm (0.303 in) machine guns (synchronised)

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kawasaki Type 92.

Notes

1 2 3 Abe and Mikesh 1990, p. 153.
↑ Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft 1982-1985, p. 2238.
↑ Green and Swanborough 1994, pp. 315–316.

Bibliography

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.
Green, William; Gordon Swanborough (1994). The Complete Book of Fighters. Smithmark. ISBN 0-8317-3939-8.
Mikesh, Robert C; Shorzoe Abe (1990). Japanese Aircraft, 1910-1941. London: Putnam Aeronautical Books. ISBN 0-85177-840-2.

Aircraft produced by Kawasaki

Company designations	Type 87 Type 88 Type 92 KAL-1 KAL-2 KAT-1 KAQ-1 KDA-2 KDA-3 KDA-5 KH-4 YPX

Imperial Japanese Army short designations	Ki-3 Ki-5 Ki-10 Ki-22 Ki-28 Ki-32 Ki-38 Ki-45 Ki-48 Ki-56 Ki-60 Ki-61 Ki-64 Ki-66 Ki-78 Ki-81 Ki-85 Ki-88 Ki-89 Ki-91 Ki-96 Ki-100 Ki-102 Ki-108 Ki-119 Ki-148 Ki-174

Japanese Self-Defense Force designations	C-1 C-2 OH-1 P-1 P-2J T-4

Joint ventures	BK 117 BK 117-C2

Licenced production	Bell 47 Hughes 500 Hughes 369 Boeing-Vertol V-107 Boeing-Vertol CH-47 Lockheed T-33 Lockheed P-2 Lockheed P-3C

World War II Allied reporting names	Bob Lily Mary Nick Perry Randy Rob Thalia Tony

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