World War 2 In Review No. 42: Japanese Airpower

By Merriam Press

Merriam Press World War 2 In Review Series. Coverage of the following the Japanese Army Air Force and Navy Air Service aircraft of World War II: (1) Kawasaki Ki-32 "Mary" (2) Mitsubishi A6M Zero "Zeke" (3) Nakajima Ki-12 (4) Mitsubishi Ki-15 "Babs" (5) Tachikawa Ki-17 "Cedar" (6) Mitsubishi Ki-18 (7) Kawasaki Ki-28 "Bob" (8) Mitsubishi Ki-30 "Ann" (9) Aichi E16A "Paul" (10) Aichi E13A "Jake" (11) Mitsubishi Ki-21 "Sally" (12) Mitsubishi Ki-57 "Topsy" (13) Yokosuka MXY7 Ohka "Baka" (14) Nakajima E8N "Dave" (15) Japanese Fire Balloon (16) Mitsubishi G4M "Betty." 474 B&W/color photos/illustrations.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Mar 11, 2018
• ISBN: 9781387656738

Book preview

World War 2 In Review No. 42: Japanese Airpower

World War 2 In Review No. 42: Japanese Airpower

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Hoosick Falls, New York

2018

First eBook Edition

Copyright © 2018 by Ray Merriam

Additional material copyright of named contributors.

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

The views expressed are solely those of the author.

ISBN 9781387656738

This work was designed, produced, and published in the United States of America by the Merriam Press, 489 South Street, Hoosick Falls NY 12090.

Notice

The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to five years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

Mission Statement

This series presents articles and pictorials on topics covering many aspects of World War 2. In addition to new articles and pictorials on topics not previously covered, future volumes may include additional material on the subjects covered in this volume. The volumes in this series will comprise a single source for innumerable articles and tens of thousands of images of interest to anyone interested in the history and study of World War 2. While no doubt some of these images and other materials could be found online, countless hours could be spent searching thousands of web sites to find at least some of this material.

The Images

These photos are seventy-plus years old, were taken under less than ideal conditions, and some were taken by individuals who were neither professional photographers nor using professional equipment. Thus the quality of the original image may be less than perfect. While Merriam Press tries to obtain the best quality images possible, the quality of the images in this publication will no doubt vary greatly.

This series of publications utilizes the editor’s collection of tens of thousands of photographs and other illustrative material acquired since 1968. Hundreds of sources over the years have been searched for material on every subject.

Photographs Needed

Merriam Press welcomes any contributions of photographs

of this or any subject for future volumes in this series.

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•

Welcome to No. XX of the World War 2 In Review Series

The following articles are in this issue of World War 2 In Review:

(1) Kawasaki Ki-32 Mary

(2) Mitsubishi A6M Zero Zeke

(3) Nakajima Ki-12

(4) Mitsubishi Ki-15 Babs

(5) Tachikawa Ki-17 Cedar

(6) Mitsubishi Ki-18

(7) Kawasaki Ki-28 Bob

(8) Mitsubishi Ki-30 Ann

(9) Aichi E16A Paul

(10) Aichi E13A Jake

(11) Mitsubishi Ki-21 Sally

(12) Mitsubishi Ki-57 Topsy

(13) Yokosuka MXY7 Ohka Baka

(14) Nakajima E8N Dave

(15) Japanese Fire Balloon

(16) Mitsubishi G4M Betty

with 474 B&W and color photographs and illustrations.

Watch for future issues of this series with more articles on the history of World War II.

On the Cover

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Kawasaki Ki-32 Army Type 98 Light Bombers Mary.

Kawasaki Ki-32 Mary

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Ki-32.

The Kawasaki Ki-32 was a Japanese light bomber aircraft of World War II. It was a single-engine, two-seat, mid-wing, cantilever monoplane with a fixed tailwheel undercarriage. An internal bomb bay accommodated a 661 lb (300 kg) offensive load, supplemented by 350 lb (150 kg) of bombs on external racks. During the war, it was known by the Allies by the name Mary.

The Ki-32 was developed in response to a May 1936 Imperial Japanese Army specification to replace the Kawasaki Ki-3 light bomber with a completely indigenously designed and built aircraft. Mitsubishi and Kawasaki were requested to build two prototypes each by December 1936. The specification called for a top speed of 400 km/h (250 mph) at 9,800 ft (3,000 meters); normal operating altitude from 6,500 ft to 13,000 ft (2,000 to 4,000 meters), the ability to climb to 9,800 ft (3,000 meters) within 8 minutes and an engine to be selected from the 825 hp (620 kW) Mitsubishi Ha-6 radial, 850 hp (630 kW) Nakajima Ha-5 radial, or 850 hp (630 kW) Kawasaki Ha-9-IIb liquid-cooled inline engines, a normal bomb load of 661 lb (299.8 kg) and a maximum of 992 lb (450.0 kg), one forward-firing machine gun and one flexible rearward-firing machine gun, the ability to perform 60-degree dives for dive bombing, and a loaded weight less than 7,275 lb (3,299.9 kg).

The first Kawasaki prototype flew in March 1937; seven more prototypes were produced. Being very similar in layout and performance, main difference between the Kawasaki Ki-32 and its Mitsubishi Ki-30 rival was in the choice of an engine. The Mitsubishi design used the Nakajima Ha-5 14-cylinder air-cooled radial engine, whereas Kawasaki opted for their own Kawasaki Ha-9-II inline V12 engine.

Problems were encountered with the Kawasaki design, particularly with engine cooling, and the Mitsubishi Ki-30 received the production order. In spite of this, the pressing need for more aircraft in the Second Sino-Japanese War, which had started at full scale in July 1937, resulted in the Ki-32’s entry into production as well, 12 months behind its rival. Ironically, the number of Ki-32s built was much higher than that of the successful Ki-30.

The Ki-32 entered production in 1938, designated Army Type 98 Single-engine Light Bomber, Kawasaki manufactured 854 Ki-32s before production ceased in May 1940.

The Ki-32 saw extensive war service in the Second Sino-Japanese War, equipping the 3rd, 6th, 10th, 35th, 45th, 65th and 75th Sentai. It also saw combat during the Battle of Nomonhan against the Soviet Union in 1938-1939. Its last combat action was bombing Commonwealth forces during the Japanese Invasion of Hong Kong.

Ki-32s were during World War II also supplied to the Manchukuo Air Force to replace their obsolescent Kawasaki Type 88/KDA-2 light bombers; they were the main bomber of that service through the conflict.

After their withdrawal from front-line service in 1942 the Ki-32s were used in a training role.

Role: Light bomber

Manufacturer: Kawasaki Kōkūki Kōgyō K.K.

First flight: March 1937

Introduction: 1938

Retired: 1942

Primary users:

IJA Air Force

Manchukuo Air Force

Number built: 854

Crew: 2

Length: 11.65 m (38 ft 2.5 in)

Wingspan: 15.0 m (49 ft 2½ in)

Height: 2.90 m (9 ft 6 in)

Wing area: 34.00 m² (365.98 ft²)

Empty weight: 1,066 kg (2,350 lb)

Maximum takeoff weight: 3,760 kg (8,290 lb)

Powerplant: 1× Kawasaki Ha-9-IIb liquid-cooled inline V12 engine, 634 kW (850 hp)

Maximum speed: 423 km/h (228 knots, 263 mph) at (3,940 m) 12,900 ft

Cruise speed: 300 km/h (162 knots, 186 mph)

Range: 1,965 km (1,060 nm, 1,220 mi)

Service ceiling: 8,920 m (29,265 ft)

Rate of climb: 7.6 m/s (1500 ft/min)

Wing loading: 104.1 kg/m² (21.3 lb/ft²)

Guns: 2× 7.7 mm (0.303 in) machine guns

Bombs: 450 kg (990 lb)

Operators

Japan

Imperial Japanese Army Air Force

No. 3 Hikō Sentai IJAAF

No. 6 Hikō Sentai IJAAF

No. 10 Hikō Sentai IJAAF

No. 35 Hikō Sentai IJAAF

No. 45 Hikō Sentai IJAAF

No. 65 Hikō Sentai IJAAF

No. 75 Hikō Sentai IJAAF

Manchukuo

Manchukuo Air Force

Indonesia

In 1945, Indonesian People’s Security Force (IPSF) (Indonesian pro-independence guerrillas) captured a small number of aircraft at numerous Japanese air bases, including Bugis Air Base in Malang (repatriated 18 September 1945). Most aircraft were destroyed in military conflicts between the Netherlands and the newly proclaimed-Republic of Indonesia during the Indonesian National Revolution of 1945-1949.

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Ki-32.

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Ki-32.

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Ki-32, 6th Sentai, Manchuria, 1939.

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Contemporary painting of Ki-32 light bombers attacking Chinese troops.

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Ki-32.

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Ki-32.

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Ki-32.

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Ki-32.

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Ki-32.

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Ki-32.

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Ki-32.

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Ki-32.

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Ki-32.

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Ki-32.

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Ki-32.

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Ki-32.

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Ki-32.

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Ki-32.

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Ki-32.

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Ki-32.

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Ki-32.

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Japanese airmen on a snowy airfield, date unknown; note Ki-32 aircraft in background.

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