The Mitsubishi Ki-83 was designed by a team lead by Tomio Kubo to meet the requirements for a long range escort fighter. The first Ki-83 prototype was completed in October 1944 and flew the following month on 18 November. Plans for production were never finalized, because in 1945 the JAAF had to give priority to the production of intercept fighters. It was a two-seater with the second crew member(navigator/radio) positioned in a separate,cramped compartment in the fuselage behind the wings. The navigator was only intended to be used for long range missions.
The Ki-83 was powered by two Mitsubishi Ha-211-IRu (joint designation [Ha-43] 12) air-cooled radial engines, each driving an 11.5 ft (3.5 m), four-blade propeller. The 18-cylinder engines had a bore of 5.51 in (140 mm), a stroke of 5.90 in (150 mm), and a total displacement of 2,536 cu in (41.6 L). The engine was turbosupercharged and produced 2,200 hp (1,640 kW) for takeoff and 1,750 hp (1,305 kW) at 31,170 ft (9,500 m). The turbocharger was placed in the rear of the engine nacelle.
At the end of the war, US forces were surprised to find the Ki-83 because it was an aircraft they knew nothing about. The original and sole remaining Ki-83 was flight tested by the Allies at the Matsumotu Army Air Base in Japan.
In addition, an advanced high-altitude interceptor version, the Ki-103, and a reconnaissance version, the Ki-95, were under development.
The Dp file uses Nibbio's pilot kill effect and kelticheart's prop texture Y_prop_4_KH.BMP.
Sean Anderson
The Ki-83 was powered by two Mitsubishi Ha-211-IRu (joint designation [Ha-43] 12) air-cooled radial engines, each driving an 11.5 ft (3.5 m), four-blade propeller. The 18-cylinder engines had a bore of 5.51 in (140 mm), a stroke of 5.90 in (150 mm), and a total displacement of 2,536 cu in (41.6 L). The engine was turbosupercharged and produced 2,200 hp (1,640 kW) for takeoff and 1,750 hp (1,305 kW) at 31,170 ft (9,500 m). The turbocharger was placed in the rear of the engine nacelle.
At the end of the war, US forces were surprised to find the Ki-83 because it was an aircraft they knew nothing about. The original and sole remaining Ki-83 was flight tested by the Allies at the Matsumotu Army Air Base in Japan.
In addition, an advanced high-altitude interceptor version, the Ki-103, and a reconnaissance version, the Ki-95, were under development.
The Dp file uses Nibbio's pilot kill effect and kelticheart's prop texture Y_prop_4_KH.BMP.
Sean Anderson
