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Kawasaki Ki-102 (Randy)

1944 WORLD WAR 2

History

The two-seat, twin-engine Ki-102 is classified as a close support/heavy attack aircraft and was developed by the Imperial Japanese company Kawasaki. Known to the Allies by the codename "Randy", it exists as the "Army Type 4 Assault Aircraft" in the official designation of the Imperial Japanese Air Force.

The aircraft was developed from the previous Kawasaki "Ki-96" twin-engine heavy fighter, of which only three prototypes were produced, with the intention to use the Kawasaki Ki-45 (East Dragon) "Nick" twin-engine heavy fighter in two of them . Production and production to replace operational services. The first flight of the Ki-102 prototype was recorded in 1944, although the end of the Japanese war in August 1945 meant the end of the long-term development and production of the Ki-102.

The genre eventually evolved into three distinct forms, including dedicated fighters, dedicated night fighters, and dedicated ground attack platforms. Some Ki-102s (Ki-102b production variants) were of limited combat use, while most were stationed in the Japanese mainland for defensive purposes prior to the expected Allied invasion (which never occurred).

From 1944 to the end of the war in 1945, Kawasaki Aircraft Engineering built a total of 238 prototypes.

Following the apparent success of the Ki-45 "Toryu" series of twin-engine heavy fighters, Kawasaki turned to developing improved versions as a private company. It was developed in 1942 and followed more or less the same design principles as the previous Ki-45. The new design features a twin-engine configuration and two crew members, and the airframe is dedicated to heavy artillery armament to counter the presence of American bombers.

However, the Japanese Army demanded that the type be built as a single-seat heavy fighter, forcing Kawasaki to revise the design. Test flights of modified prototypes began in September 1943, and two more prototypes were on the way shortly after. The Japanese Army liked what they saw in terms of performance with the new Ki-96, although a new initiative called for the Ki-96 to be redesigned as a two-seat twin-engine heavy fighter - essentially the original Ki-96 vision. The design went through again The modification, this time becoming the new "Ki-102", retained the wing and tail assemblies of the earlier design, with new additions where necessary.

Development of the Ki-96 was therefore halted and only three prototypes were completed.

The Ki-102 was born from three prototypes, using the base name "Ki-102". The "Ki-102a" designation signifies the original heavy high-altitude fighter design, and 26 were eventually produced.

All combat models are equipped with 1 x 37mm Ho-203 series guns and 2 x 20mm Ho-5 guns, as well as turbocharged engines required for high altitude performance. The Ki-102a was called "Type Ko" by the Japanese.

Externally, the series follows the previous twin-engine Kawasaki offering. The design features a streamlined fuselage with a crew compartment with tandem seats in the front center, a low-mounted monoplane wing, a star-shaped engine nacelle on the leading edge, and a traditional monoplane empennage. The landing gear consists of two main gear legs and a tail wheel, while everything can be fully retracted under the fuselage.

The pilot sits in the forward cockpit with good outward visibility under the glass canopy, while the rear crew sits in a separate cockpit amidships.

The Ki-102b became a dedicated follow-on ground attack variant with 1 x 57mm Ho 401 cannon and 2 x 20mm Ho 5 cannons. 1 x 12.7mm Ho-103 (Type 1) heavy machine gun is assigned to the rear cockpit for self-defense against following enemy fighters.

Power comes from 2 Mitsubishi Ha-112-II Ru 14-cylinder radial piston engines with 1,500 hp each for excellent performance. The Ki-102b has a reported top speed of 360 mph, a range of 1,200 miles, and a service ceiling of nearly 33,000 feet. A revised tail wheel was also introduced. A total of 207 prototypes were built, proving the final branding of the series and dubbed "Type Otu" by the Japanese.

The Ki-102b production brand will be the only Ki-102 form to see combat action in Okinawa and its very limited exposure.

The Ki-102c was a dedicated development of a night fighter with various design changes. This resulted in the use of a very basic artificial intelligence radar system under the new plexiglass nose cone, expanded wing assembly and fuselage, and modified tail.

Armament consists of 2 x 30mm Ho-105 series cannons under the hull and 2 x 20mm Ho-5 "oblique firing" cannons amidships. The side-firing guns were placed in a forward-facing position, allowing the fighter to hover below and behind the bomber target (usually the most vulnerable position) and fire at will. However, only two examples of this type were completed before the end of the war.

The Ki-102c was called "Type Hei" by the Japanese.

All Ki-102 variants provide provisions for carrying 2 x 550 lb conventionally thrown bombs for strike operations or 2 x throwing fuel tanks for increased combat range.

"Ki-108" is a related Ki-102 development with only two completed prototypes, converted from existing Ki-102b series airframes. This would be the start of a new high-altitude fighter design with a pressurized crew cabin and a reinforced airframe. The end of the war means the end of this development.