Mitsubishi Ki-18
| Ki-18 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Mitsubishi Ki-18 | |
| Role | prototype fighter aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd |
| First flight | August 1935 |
| Primary user | IJA Air Force |
| Number built | 1 |
The Mitsubishi Ki-18 (三菱 キ18 Ki-jyuhachi?) was an unsuccessful and unsolicited attempt by Mitsubishi to meet a 1934 requirement issued by the Japanese Army for a modern single-seat monoplane fighter suitable to the needs of the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force. During this competition, Nakajima entered the Nakajima Ki-11 (which was somewhat similar to the Boeing P-26 Peashooter), and Kawasaki entered the more maneuverable Kawasaki Ki-10 biplane. The competition was won by Kawasaki, but the new fighter was not accepted by the IJAAF with much enthusiasm.
In 1934, Mitsubishi had developed the Ka-14 9-Shi fighter prototype specifically for an Imperial Japanese Navy requirement. The design exhibited outstanding performance, and with the Navy's consent, the Army placed a contract with Mitsubishi for a modified version for evaluation, which was designated the Ki-18.
The Ki-18 was a low-wing monoplane of all-metal construction with fabric-covered control surfaces. It was powered by a Nakajima Kotobuki-5 nine-cylinder radial engines, rated at 410 kW (550 hp) for take-off, and 447 kW (600 hp) at 3,100 m (10,170 ft), driving a two-blade fixed-pitch wooden propeller.
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