{"product_id":"kawasaki-ki-64-rob-tandem-engine-fighter-collection","title":"Kawasaki Ki-64 \"Rob\" — Tandem-Engine Fighter Collection","description":"\u003ch3\u003eKawasaki Ki-64 \"Rob\" — Tandem-Engine Experimental Fighter\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Kawasaki Ki-64 (Allied codename \u003cstrong\u003e\"Rob\"\u003c\/strong\u003e) stands as one of the most technically audacious aircraft designs of the Second World War — an advanced experimental heavy interceptor conceived by chief designer \u003cstrong\u003eTakeo Doi\u003c\/strong\u003e in 1939. Only a single prototype was ever completed. It flew just five times from December 1943 before a catastrophic engine fire on its fifth flight permanently ended the programme.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDue to the project's brief operational lifespan and the destruction of Japanese archives at war's end, original Kawasaki factory engineering bulletins are virtually non-existent. The primary surviving technical record is the post-war \u003cstrong\u003eU.S. Army Air Force T-2 Technical Intelligence Report No. F-IR-100-RE\u003c\/strong\u003e, compiled at Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio — the cornerstone document of this Living Collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCollection Contents\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eNo Variant — Common Documents\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKi-64 Technical Publications\u003c\/strong\u003e — Kawasaki Ki-64 Tandem-Engine Fighter with Vapor-Phase Cooling · Technical Intelligence Report No. F-IR-100-RE · \u003cem\u003eEnglish Language\u003c\/em\u003e · Released August 1946 · Headquarters Air Materiel Command, Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKi-64 Slides, Photos \u0026amp; Brochures\u003c\/strong\u003e — Ki-64 Photographic Collection · \u003cem\u003eEnglish Language\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAerodynamic \u0026amp; Design Overview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMinimizing Drag:\u003c\/strong\u003e Designed explicitly to achieve extreme speeds by eliminating conventional drag-heavy scoop radiators entirely.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLaminar Flow Wings:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ultra-smooth advanced laminar-profile wing panels for reduced boundary-layer drag.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSurface Evaporative Cooling:\u003c\/strong\u003e A unique 258 sq. ft. steam-condensing network embedded directly into the wing skin replaced conventional radiators.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWind Tunnel Validation:\u003c\/strong\u003e A modified Ki-61 testbed confirmed the aerodynamic skin layout delivered approximately 35 mph speed advantage over conventional cooling arrangements.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eEngine Technical Notes — Kawasaki Ha-201\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Ha-201 coupled two 12-cylinder inverted-Vee engines (derived from the licensed German \u003cstrong\u003eDaimler-Benz DB 601Aa\u003c\/strong\u003e) into a single tandem powerplant of extraordinary complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLayout:\u003c\/strong\u003e Front engine in the nose; rear engine behind the cockpit, driving forward via a long extension shaft running between the pilot's legs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePower Output:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2,350 hp at takeoff · 2,200 hp at 12,795 ft operational altitude.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePropeller System:\u003c\/strong\u003e Coaxial contra-rotating — rear engine drove the forward adjustable-pitch propeller; front engine drove the rear fixed-pitch propeller. An unfinished pitch synchronizer caused uneven rotation speeds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCooling Cycle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Engine coolant pressurized to steam; 2% flashed to vapour and condensed through inner wing skins, recycling fluid continuously.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHandling, Stability \u0026amp; Operational Hazards\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSevere Overheating:\u003c\/strong\u003e Without conventional scoop radiators, the aircraft suffered extreme thermal spikes during ground idling, taxiing, and high-load climbs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight Distribution:\u003c\/strong\u003e Heavy fuselage-nose and spine mass concentration produced centre-of-gravity characteristics entirely unlike agile IJA fighters such as the A6M Zero.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFatal Defect:\u003c\/strong\u003e On the fifth test flight, rear cooling lines failed, triggering a massive engine fire that forced a structural crash landing and permanently ended the programme.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePerformance Data\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eParameter\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSpecification\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTop Speed\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e429 mph (690 km\/h) at 16,404 ft (5,000 m)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eClimb Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e16,404 ft (5,000 m) in 5 min 30 sec\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eService Ceiling\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e39,370 ft (12,000 m)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRange\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e620 miles (1,000 km)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEmpty Weight\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8,929 lbs (4,050 kg)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGross Weight\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e11,244 lbs (5,100 kg)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWing Area \/ Loading\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e300 sq. ft \/ 37.3 lb\/sq ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eProposed Armament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4 × 20 mm Ho-5 cannons (2 nose, 2 wing)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis is an archival, static-copy edition fixed at its original publication date. Intended for historical reference, flight simulation, museum restoration, and educational use only. Not approved for active airworthiness maintenance under FAA 14 CFR § 43.13, EASA Part-M, or equivalent international regulations. Operators of active aircraft must use current, revision-controlled publications from the Type Certificate holder or an authorized distributor.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLiving Collections with Free Lifetime Updates — Please review our Disclaimer and Export Notice before purchasing.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Online Aviation Library","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53690371440987,"sku":null,"price":34.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/4788\/3867\/files\/ki-64-banner-1-in-flight-render.png?v=1785429434","url":"https:\/\/onlineaviationlibrary.com\/products\/kawasaki-ki-64-rob-tandem-engine-fighter-collection","provider":"Online Aviation Library","version":"1.0","type":"link"}