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Rikugun Ki-202

1945 SECRET WEAPONS OF THE IJA/IJN WORLD WAR 2 X-PLANE

Army Ki-202 History

The alliance between Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan during World War II (1939-1945) facilitated the transfer of technology between the two parties. Complete examples of plans (aircraft and rocket engines), components and German rocket-powered interceptor Messerschmitt Me 163 "Komet" loaded on two German anti-submarine submarines bound for Japanese islands.

When only one of those ships arrived in Japan, engineers had to solve a technical hurdle to get their Me 163 airborne. With some ingenuity, the Me 163 was finally completed and lifted off - only to crash on its maiden flight, an example of a complete failure.

Mitsubishi led the development and managed the licensed manufacture of the J8M "Sharp Sword" for the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN). It will also carry the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) "Ki-200" designation, both based primarily on the Me 163B production model. The first flight of the J8M took place on July 7, 1945, with seven completed before the end of the war, in August of that year.

The product is very close to the original German design in form and function.

In the final months of the war, when American Boeing B-29 "Superfortresses" bombed Japanese cities with little punishment, the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) joined forces with Army companies to create an offshoot of the Ki-200, To bolster Japan's air defenses, but provide better endurance than the 7.5 minute flight time observed in the German design. The larger airframe was designed to carry an additional fuel supply, powered by the Mitsubishi "Toku" Ro.

3 liquid-fueled rocket engines with 4,410 lbs of thrust. Estimated performance includes a top speed of 560 mph and a battery life of 10.5 minutes. Service is capped at 39,470 feet with a climb rate of 2,430 feet per minute. The plane was able to see 20,000 feet in 2.5 minutes.

Designating the Ki-202 "Shusui-Kai" ("Sword, Improvement"), the designation indicates that it was a direct evolution from the earlier Ki-200 design.

Dimensions include a length of 7.7m, a wingspan of 9.7m and a height of 2.75m. Curb weight is 3,570 lbs and maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) is 11,055 lbs. Externally, the Ki-202 is similar in some respects to the Me 163, but the drawings show a longer, slimmer appearance and slimmer body lines. The main-wing aircraft swept back accordingly, and there was a vertical tail rudder (horizontal tail was not used).

The pilot sits under a framed canopy in the nose of the plane, and visibility in the tail is limited by the raised top of the fuselage.

Like the German model, the Ki-202 will take off on its own (rocket) power and eject its trolley after leaving the ground. On landing, the pilot slides his plane down and touches the ground on a spring-loaded belly-mounted skid assisted by the tail wheel.

This allows the plane to be reused after it has been refueled, rearmed and put back into the trolley.

The proposed weapon is a 2 x 30mm Ho-155-II series cannon designed to counter the advanced and well-defended B-29 bomber. These guns are designed to be mounted at the root of the wing and respond well to the large targets they will fire.

The war ended too quickly for Mitsubishi to make any significant progress on the prototype. The plane ended its days at the planning stage, and that's it, its impact is left to the imagination.