aircraft/loadouts Nakajima Ki-116 － Japanese Last Test Fighter

[Lineins 220]

The Ki-116 is one aircraft that IJA ordered to develop at the end of the war.

It was developed by the Manchuria Airplane Manufacturing Company.

The Manchuria Airplane Manufacturing Company was established as a branch of Nakajima.
So, ki - 116 is sometimes called Nakajima ki-116 or Manshyu ki-116 in some cases.

This aircraft is based on ki-84, the engine was replaced from Ha-45 to Ha-112 II.

This aircraft is the most recently developed aircraft among the Japanese fighter that was able to fly.(Except small variations)

Detailed information on this aircraft is very few as it has been destroyed during the invasion of the Soviet Union.

Please acknowledge that.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　『間に合わなかった軍用機』 Author : 大内健二　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

 

History

In 1944, in response to Nakajima Aircraft Company 's development of ki - 84, IJA ordered full power production of ki - 84.
At the same time IJA decided that Nakajima Aircraft Company alone could probably not produce enough to cover demand.

So IJA decided to let The Manchuria Airplane Manufacturing Company license production of ki - 84.

Manchuria Airplane Manufacturing Company will also receive it and prepare the production line for ki - 84.
However in the latter half of 1944 the battlefield worsened and strategic bombing by the B - 29 was also started.
Manchuria Airplane Manufacturing Company transferred its production base to Harbin in order to prevent serious damage from strategic bombing.

With these tasks, the production of ki - 84 at Manchuria Airplane Manufacturing Company caused a significant delay.
A further problem was that Ha - 45, a crucial engine, could not be transported satisfactorily to Manchuria in Mainland China from the mainland of Japan.

As of the end of July 1945, only three ki - 84s were completed, and IJA had suffered by the bad condition of Ha - 45 .

But one news in February 1945 pleased the IJA. The performance of ki - 100, which installed Ha-112 II on ki - 61, was better than imagined. And Ha - 112 II was more reliable than Ha - 45.

At that time Manchuria Airplane Manufacturing Company had licensed ki-46 license.
And Manchuria Airplane Manufacturing Company produced Ha - 112 II which is the engine of ki - 46 III.

In other words, even without transporting Ha - 45 from mainland Japan, they will become able to produce fighter aircraft on their own.

 

In March 1945, IJA ordered Mr. Noda, who is  Manager of Technology at Manchuria Airplane Manufacturing Company, for the urgent development of ki-116.

At that time, Mr. Noda had business trip to Tachikawa for a test flight of ki-93, returned to Manchuria in late April for the development of ki-116 .

 

Mr. Noda decided to remodel fourth Unit of Manchurian ki - 84 which was in the process of being manufactured at the new factory in Harbin.

Developed at the testing factory that was in Mukden, the prototype No. 1 of ki - 116 was completed in late July 1945.

As a result of several test flights, ki-116 was highly evaluated for its performance.

However, the project was abandoned as the Soviet Union launched an invasion against Manchuria on August 9.

As a result, ki-116 could not perform test flight to measure more detailed performance.

The ki - 116 produced was destroyed by the hands of developers, and all the materials were burned.

 

Aircraft characteristics

The output was reduced from 2000 horsepower to 1500 horsepower by changing the engine from Ha - 45 to Ha - 112 II.
For this reason, the engineers have made the body lighter so as not to lower the performance.

Empty weight was reduced from 2,698 kg to 2200 kg compared to ki - 84, and the Gross weight was reduced from 3890 kg to 3250 kg.
（The information that the weight was reduced by 1,000 kg is inaccurate, probably coming from the statement that developers can reduce 1,000 kg if they can be redesigned a bit more thoroughly. It refers to the future prospects, does not refer to ki - 116 which was actually completed at that time.)

The propeller of four feathers used in ki - 84 was not used because the engine horsepower fell.
Instead, developers used the propeller of three feathers, radius 2.950m(3.0m), Hamilton Standerd Constant Speed Propeller, which was used in ki - 46 III.

Also, because the engine got lighter than 150 kg, the nose was extended by 20 cm to balance the center of gravity.

The area of the tail fins has also increased slightly.

According to remaining data , the apparent difference between ki - 116 and ki - 84 was about extended nose and changed propeller.

In the test flight, it turned out that the maximum speed was lower than ki - 84 because the engine output dropped.
Instead, Wing loading was reduced more than 25 kg/㎡ compared to ki - 84, so turning performance such as fighting fighting improved.

Comprehensive flight characteristics such as speed and rise were close to ki - 100.

According to the calculation, the descent speed limit of Ki-116 was about 800 km / h (497 mph).

 

Performance specifications

 

 

Omit duplicate source.

*1 『日本試作機大鑑』 Author : 秋本実（Minoru Akimoto)

*2『間に合わなかった軍用機』 Author : 大内健二

*3『日本軍用機三面図集』

-『太平洋戦争　日本陸軍機 -別冊 航空情報』

-『陸軍航空兵器の開発・生産・補給』防衛庁戦史室

 

 

Performance specification table by source

 

 

source1  :『日本試作機大鑑』 Author : 秋本実（Minoru Akimoto)

source2  :『間に合わなかった軍用機』 Author : 大内健二（ Kenji Ouchi ）

source3  :『日本軍用機三面図集 陸軍機篇 (1959年) 』 Author :荻原 四郎（ Shiro Ogihara ）

source4  :『太平洋戦争　日本陸軍機　別冊航空情報』 The publisher :  酣燈社 （Sekirei-sya）

source5  :『陸軍航空兵器の開発・生産・補給』Author :防衛庁防衛研修所戦史室 ( Defense Agency Defense Institute War History Room )

source6  :『日本の陸軍機 : 決定版 (歴史群像シリーズ. 太平洋戦史スペシャル ; vol.7)』The publisher : 学研プラス（Gakken Plus）

source7  :『日本航空機大図鑑 : 1910年-1945年 下巻』 Author :小川利彦（ Tomohiko Ogawa ）

source8  :『日本の戦闘機　陸軍編』  Author : 秋本実（Minoru Akimoto)

source9  :『日本陸軍機の計画物語　（1980）』Author :安藤 成雄（ Atsuo Ando ）

source10:『 Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War 』 Author : Rene J. Francillon

 

*1: In the book by Mr. Francillon, the Height of ki - 84 was 3.385 m. (11ft 1 1/4 in) 

And in his book this 3,193 kg is said to be loaded weight rather than maximum weight (gross weight).  For reference the loaded weight of 84 were 3,613 kg (7,955 Ib).

*2: I can't understand what "Bauz-ahl" is pointing at, but it is original words.G is Gross weight, Nz is Engine horsepower at high altitude, F is Main wing area.

 

 

 

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　『日本軍用機三面図集』　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　『日本試作機大鑑』 Author : 秋本実（Minoru Akimoto)　　　

 

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　『日本の陸軍機 : 決定版 (歴史群像シリーズ. 太平洋戦史スペシャル ; vol.7)』The publisher : 学研プラス（Gakken Plus）　drawing figures  by: 胃袋豊彦　　　　　　　

 

References

『日本試作機大鑑』 Author : 秋本実（Minoru Akimoto)

『間に合わなかった軍用機』 Author : 大内健二（ Kenji Ouchi ）

『日本軍用機三面図集 陸軍機篇 (1959年) 』 Author :荻原 四郎（ Shiro Ogihara ）

『太平洋戦争　日本陸軍機　<別冊航空情報>』 The publisher :  酣燈社 （Sekirei-sya）

『不滅の戦闘機　疾風』 Author :鈴木五郎（ Goro Suzuki ）

『陸軍航空兵器の開発・生産・補給』( Development, production and supply of Army Air Weapons ) Author :防衛庁防衛研修所戦史室 ( Defense Agency Defense Institute War History Room )

『歴史群像　太平洋戦史シリーズ46　四式戦闘機　疾風 -大戦末期にベールを脱いだ陸軍航空隊の最終兵器』The publisher : 学研プラス（Gakken Plus）

『日本の戦闘機　陸軍編』  Author : 秋本実（Minoru Akimoto)

『決戦機　疾風　航空技術の戦い　知られざる最高傑作メカ物語』Author : 碇 義朗（ Yoshiro Ikari ）

『決戦戦闘機　疾風　陸軍四式戦キ84のすべて The Best Japanese Fighter of WWⅡ "HAYATE"』The publisher :潮書房（ Tide shobo ）

『航空情報No99　日本傑作機物語』The publisher :  酣燈社 （Sekirei-sya）

『日本陸軍機の計画物語　（1980）』Author :安藤 成雄（ Atsuo Ando ）

『日本航空機大図鑑 : 1910年-1945年 下巻』 Author :小川利彦（ Tomohiko Ogawa ）

『日本の陸軍機 : 決定版 (歴史群像シリーズ. 太平洋戦史スペシャル ; vol.7)』The publisher : 学研プラス（Gakken Plus）

『 Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War 』 Author : Rene J. Francillon

『Japanese secret projects 2 : X-planes and experimental aircraft of the IJA and IJN 1922-1945』 Author : Edwin M. Dyer III

https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/三式戦闘機

https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/四式戦闘機

https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/五式戦闘機

http://military.sakura.ne.jp/ac/ki106.htm

 

Edited May 16, 2018 by Lineins

[Radom 4,245]

Open for discussion

[Borotovas 4,500]

+1

[Lineins 220]

Is there anyone who knows what "Bauz-ahl" means?
Although it is a word that appears only in this book, I do not know this English word ...

[Querulous1 3,276]

It would be a good plane to see in game

[MH4UAstragon 9,581]

Since only one was built, this would be an excellent idea for a premium that also wouldn't be too overpowered.

[Z3r0_ 4,128]

So it's basically a lightened Ki-84 airframe with a Ki-100's engine.  Looks like a suitable premium to me.

[Lineins 220]

On 2018/5/1 at 9:15 PM, Querulous1 said:

It would be a good plane to see in game

 

20 hours ago, MH4UAstragon said:

Since only one was built, this would be an excellent idea for a premium that also wouldn't be too overpowered.

 

13 hours ago, Z3r0_ said:

So it's basically a lightened Ki-84 airframe with a Ki-100's engine.  Looks like a suitable premium to me.

I also think that this will be a good premium fighter.
Japan tree is ranked short of rank 4 fighter.

And from the remaining material you can easily predict that this aircraft is definitely one with dogfight performance even higher than ki-84.
This aircraft will definitely be interesting.

Although ki-116 certainly has few leftover materials, I will make efforts to find more detailed materials.

 

Thank you!

Edited May 2, 2018 by Lineins

[た れ ぱ 222]

Right now, I am trying to model this fighter aircraft. Although it is partially made, it is difficult to add to War Thunder from software problems. If I go well it will be open to War Thunder Live.

[Borotovas 4,500]

7 hours ago, Tarepai said:

Right now, I am trying to model this fighter aircraft. Although it is partially made, it is difficult to add to War Thunder from software problems. If I go well it will be open to War Thunder Live.

 

What software are you using to model it?

[た れ ぱ 222]

On 2018/5/4 at 4:42 AM, Borotovas said:

 

What software are you using to model it?

It is software called 3ds MAX 2019.

[Goldkoron 109]

+1

 

The Ha-112-II was a fantastic engine and if the war had continued, the most mass produced fighters would have ended up using it.

[Pvt_Agent_Rouge 24]

My main questions for ki116 design is that it will improve high speed maneuverability like a7m2? or it had a same weakness with high speed wobble like ki84? How effective or how much improvement with the engine in high alt? I think its going be an fantastic fighter. 

Edited May 6, 2018 by xX_Night_Raid_Xx

[Lineins 220]

3 hours ago, xX_Night_Raid_Xx said:

My main questions for ki116 design is that it will improve high speed maneuverability like a7m2? or it had a same weakness with high speed wobble like ki84? How effective or how much improvement with the engine in high alt? I think its going be an fantastic fighter. 

Since the war has ended before the detailed flight test ki - 116, the stability in the actual high speed area is unknown.
Therefore, we need to guess from the remaining material.
The stability in the high-speed range depends on the size of the fuselage area of the aircraft, but in the data in Japan, the description that the body area of ki-116 has been increased has not been found.
Although there is a description that the nose has been extended by 20 cm, the total length of ki - 116 is 9.92 m which is the same as ki - 84 in many documents.

On the other hand, it seems that there is a description that the tail wings were enlarged in the English version of Wikipedia.
This is a description that does not exist in Japanese domestic material within the range I have seen.
However, "Where there is smoke, there is fire.". There must be something reasonable to have such a description.
Therefore, I will search Mr. Noda's notebook to see if that is the case, and I will check it along with that.
Since overseas materials are not sold in Japan, it will take a lot of time and effort ...

 

Because the load on the surface of the wing is decreasing, it is thought that the mobility in the high speed range will be reduced.
 

 

As for the engine, the engine mounted on the ki - 116 is the same Ha - 112 II as installed in the ki - 100.
And in ki - 116 engine design has hardly changed.
This is because the technical capabilities of Manchuria Airplane Manufacturing Company were not enough, but at that time development speed was top priority.
Therefore, high altitude performance is not improved compared with ki - 100.

Edited May 6, 2018 by Lineins

[CherryBlossom 4,210]

Would love to see this. I remember seeing this model made on the Ki-116 and seeing a 3-blade propeller, despite how simple that is, just makes this aircraft look all the more amazing. 

[島風 2,396]

+1

[Asakaze 992]

Great suggestion
I've trying to get info on the Ki-116 since it's one of the fighters that I want to see implemented, but there's not much about it in English sources unfortunately
Hopefully it'll come some day

[Borotovas 4,500]

+1

[Milocat 4,854]

+1.  This would be a fun aircraft to see, and it does have some historical significance.

[Kumakaze 18]

+1， this may a good choice for event or premium.

[VWGolf4_20v_AGU 132]

+1

[CokeSpray 7,274]

Suggestion passed to the developers for consideration.