The first two
prototypes flew in November 1940 and were characterised by a longer
fuselage, an altered wing support system and an overall lighter weight
structure. It was also decided to use two 990 hp (739 kW) Nakajima
Ha-25 14-cylinder air-cooled radial engines. The plane could carry
5,280 lbs (2395 kg) of cargo or up to 14 passengers. It utilized a four
or three man crew depending on range and passenger/cargo capacity
required. Overall it had better flight and handling characteristics
than the Lockheed aircraft it was developed from. A total of 121
aircraft of this type were produced by Kawasaki before production was
halted in September 1943.
(Army Type 1 Freight
Transport - Kawasaki Ki-56)
Allied Codename:
Thalia
Type: (Three
Seat) Short or (Four Seat) Medium Range Transport
Accommodation/Crew:
Pilot, Co-Pilot, Navigator and Radio Operator. (Short Range) Pilot,
Co-Pilot, Navigator/Radio Operator.
Design: Kawasaki
Kokuki Kogyo KK Design Team
Manufacturer:
Kawasaki Kokuki Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (The Kawasaki Aircraft
Engineering Company Limited).
Powerplant: Two
990 hp (739 kW) Nakajima Ha-25 14-cylinder air-cooled radial engines.
Performance:
Maximum level speed 248 mph (399 km/h) at 11,480 ft (3500 m); service
ceiling 24,300 ft (7405 m).
Range: 2,060
miles (3315 km) on maximum internal fuel (estimated) with 5,280 lbs
(2395 kg) of cargo or 14 passengers.
Weight: Empty
10,300 lbs (4672 kg) with a maximum take-off weight of 17,692 lbs (8024
kg).
Dimensions: Span
65 ft 6 in (19.66 m); length 48 ft 10 in (14.88 m); height 11 ft 9 in
(3.58 m); wing area 551.0 sq ft (51.19 sq m).
Armament: None.
Variants: Ki-56
- based on the licence built Ki-56 Army Type LO Transport (Lockheed
14-WG3B Export Version) later given the Allied Codename "Thelma".
Equipment/Avionics:
Standard communications and navigation equipment.
History: First
flight (prototype) November 1940; end production September 1943.
Operators: Japan
(Imperial Japanese Army)