Tachikawa Ki-54

Last updated
Ki-54
Tachikawa Ki-54.jpg
Tachikawa Ki-54
General information
TypeTwin-engine advanced crew trainer
Manufacturer Tachikawa Aircraft Company Ltd
Designer
Shinjiro Shinagawa
Primary user Imperial Japanese Army Air Force
Number built1,368
History
Manufactured1941-1945
Introduction date1941
First flightSummer 1940
Retired1945 (Japan)
1952 (China)

The Tachikawa Ki-54 was a Japanese, twin-engine advanced trainer used during World War II. The aircraft was named Hickory by the Allies.

Contents

History

The Ki-54 was developed in response to an Imperial Japanese Army requirement for a twin-engine advanced trainer, principally for crew training. The prototype first flew in the summer of 1940 and, on completing trials, entered production in 1941 as Army Type 1 Advanced Trainer Model A (Ki-54a). The Ki-54a was soon followed by the Ki-54b as Army Type 1 Operations Trainer Model B and Ki-54c as Army Type 1 Transport Model C. The Ki-54b and -c enjoyed successful careers until the end of the war. A few captured aircraft were flown after the war by various users.

Operators

Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
Flag of Manchukuo.svg Manchukuo
Flag of the Republic of China-Nanjing (Peace, Anti-Communism, National Construction).svg China-Nanjing
Flag of the Republic of China.svg  China
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
Flag of France (1794-1815).svg French Indochina
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom

Variants

Surviving aircraft

Ki-54 at the Misawa Aviation & Science Museum Li Chuan ki54 Yi Shi Shuang Fa Gao Deng Lian Xi Ji .jpg
Ki-54 at the Misawa Aviation & Science Museum

Specifications (Ki-54c light transport)

Data fromThe Concise Guide to Axis Aircraft of World War II; [8] Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War [9]

General characteristics

350 kW (470 hp) at 1,700 m (5,600 ft)

Performance

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

  1. Thomas, Andy (July 2008). "Vietnam Prelude". FlyPast (324). Stamford, Lincolnshire, England: Key Publishing: 70–71.
  2. "Anyone got pics of the AWM Ki-54?". Warbirdz Aviation Photography. Archived from the original on 12 April 2012. Retrieved 15 December 2013.
  3. "Tachikawa Ki-54c 'Hickory' fuselage: 10th Independent Air Brigade, Imperial Japanese Army Air Force". awm.gov.au. Australian War Memorial . Retrieved June 15, 2018.
  4. "Aircraft database". LPH2O. April 3, 2016.
  5. "旧陸軍の練習機69年ぶり地上に、青森・十和田湖で引き揚げ" [Former Army training aircraft pulled out of lake for the first time in 69 years] (in Japanese). September 5, 2012. Retrieved April 2, 2016.
  6. "旧陸軍練習機、十和田湖で発見…戦時中に墜落". Yomiuri Online (in Japanese). August 13, 2010. Archived from the original on August 16, 2010.
  7. Kusumoto, Hana (21 October 2022). "See rare example of a WWII Japanese trainer aircraft this month in western Tokyo". Stars and Stripes . Retrieved 15 January 2025.
  8. Mondey 1996, p. ?.
  9. Francillon 1979, p. 256.

Bibliography