Kawanishi TB (Toyo Bakugeki) / (KX-9)

History

In Japan, they wanted to develop a long-range bomber with four engines for the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) and the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN). They explored different options, including the Nakajima G5N, Nakajima G8N, and the Kawanishi TB.

While the United States had successful bombers like the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and the joint B-24 Liberator, Japan struggled to create a mature and effective bomber even until the end of the war in 1945.

The Kawanishi TB was part of a larger project called "Project Z," which aimed to develop a four-engine heavy bomber for the IJA and IJN. This bomber would provide strategic bombing capabilities to counter the United States and disrupt their logistics in the Asia-Pacific theater, potentially reaching the U.S. West Coast regularly. To achieve this, the aircraft needed a design that could cover long distances. However, this was challenging due to the limited range of Japanese air bases and the need to return home after attacking the United States.

Another aircraft developed under Project Z was the six-engine Nakajima G10N "Fugaku," which focused on high-altitude defense. In contrast, the Kawanishi TB aimed to meet the IJA's requirements, emphasizing the ability to operate at very high altitudes while reducing the weight of wartime loads.

The Kawanishi TB featured a simplified design with four engines mounted in pairs on the leading edge of each wing. The main aircraft had a long wingspan that slightly curved upward (V-shaped). The engines were positioned on the stronger inboard section of the wing for proper balance. The fuselage had a sleek and streamlined tubular shape with a half-glass nose and a tapered tail.

To protect against enemy interceptors, defensive guns would be installed around the fuselage, and the bomb bay would be located in the center of the tubular shape. The main crew area was situated forward amidships. The rear wing had a single rounded vertical stabilizer and a deep horizontal stabilizer.

For ground operations, the aircraft used a conventional tailwheel arrangement, with the main landing gear positioned under the inboard engine nacelles. A tail wheel was used for steering. The crew consisted of six members, including two pilots, a radio operator, a bombardier, and a gunner.

Specification

BASICS

Years in Service: 1945

Origins: Empire of Japan

Status: Development ended.

Crew: 6

Production: 0

Maker: Western Sichuan - Imperial Japan

Carrier: Imperial Japan (Cancelled)

Roles

Ground attack (bombing, strafing)

The ability to conduct air strikes against ground targets using (but not limited to) artillery, bombs, rockets, rockets, etc.

X-Plane (development, prototype, tech demo)

Aircraft designed for prototyping, technology demonstration, or research/data collection.

Dimensions and Weight

Length: 91. 9 feet (28.00m)

Width/span: 106. 6 feet (32.50m)

Height: 23. 0 feet (7.00m)

Cured weight: 57,596 lbs (26,125 kg)

MTOW: 155,977 lbs (70,750 kg)

Wgt Difference: +98,381 lbs (+44,625 kg)

Performance

Installed: 4 x Nakajima Ha-45 "Homare" supercharged 18-cylinder radial piston engines, air-cooled, 2,100 hp each, driving four-bladed propellers.

Max Speed: 373 mph (600 kph | 324 kts)

Ceiling: 41,667 ft (12,700 m | 8 mi)

Range: 15,882 mi (25,560 km | 47,337 nm)

Armor

1 x 13mm Type 2 Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) in fuselage port side remote-controlled turret.

1 x 13mm Type 2 HMG in fuselage starboard side remote-controlled turret.

1 x 13mm Type 2 HMG in rear-facing tail position.