Tachikawa Ki-74

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Ki-74
Ki-74-1s.jpg
General information
Type Long-range reconnaissance bomber
Manufacturer Tachikawa Aircraft Company
Primary user Imperial Japanese Army Air Service
Number built16
History
First flightMarch 1944

The Tachikawa Ki-74 (Allied reporting name Patsy) was a Japanese experimental, long-range reconnaissance bomber of World War II. A twin-engine, mid-wing monoplane, it was developed for the Imperial Japanese Army Air Service but never deployed in combat. The Ki-74 was designed for high altitude operation with a pressurized cabin for its crew.

Contents

Development

Though already conceived in 1939 as a long-range reconnaissance aircraft capable of reaching west of Lake Baikal when operating from bases in Manchukuo (Manchuria), the initial prototype Ki-74 only first flew as late as March 1944, after its development and primary mission requirement had been changed to capability of bombing and reconnaissance over the mainland United States. [1] The aircraft was powered by two 1,641 kW (2,201 hp) Mitsubishi Ha-211-I [Ha-43-I] radial engines. The subsequent two prototypes were powered by the turbo-supercharged Mitsubishi Ha-211-I Ru [Ha-43-II]; these experienced teething troubles, and the following thirteen pre-production machines substituted the Ha-211 Ru engine for the lower-powered but more reliable turbo-supercharged Mitsubishi Ha-104 Ru (Army Type 4 1,900 hp Air Cooled Radial). [2] The aircraft was fitted with self-sealing fuel tanks, armor, and a pressurized cabin for its crew of five. [3]

Operational history

The Ki-74 did not progress beyond developmental testing and did not see operational service in combat. Nevertheless, the Allies knew of the type's existence and assigned the codename "Patsy" after it was discovered that it was a bomber, not a fighter (previously it had been assigned the codename "Pat" in Allied Intelligence). [4]

Specifications (Ki-74)

Data fromThe Imperial Japanese Secret Weapons Museum ; [5] Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War [4]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Notes

  1. ↑ Francillon 1979 , pp. 259–260.
  2. ↑ Francillon 1979 , pp. 260–261.
  3. ↑ Francillon 1979 , p. 260.
  4. 1 2 Francillon 1979 , p. 261.
  5. ↑ "The Imperial Japanese Secret Weapons Museum". Archived from the original on October 27, 2009.

Bibliography

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