World War II Database

Contributor: C. Peter Chen

ww2dbaseThe Ki-10 biplane fighters were official designated as Army Type 95 Fighter by the Japanese Army. They were designed by Kawasaki Heavy Industries chief engineer Takeo Doi. Although this design defeated Nakajima's Ki-11 rival monoplane design in 1935, the Ki-10 aircraft would prove to be the last biplanes operated by the Japanese Army. Outside of Japan, they were also license-built by the Manshu Aircraft Company located in the Japanese-sponsored puppet state of Manchukuo in northeastern China. They first saw action against the Chinese Air Force in the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1937. By 1939, they were beginning to show signs of obsolescence particularly after meeting Soviet fighters in combat during the Nomonhan Incident. By 1941, most Ki-10 aircraft were withdrawn from combat units, relegating to training, short range patrol, and reconnaissance roles. By the time production ceased in Dec 1938, 588 examples were built (8 various prototypes, 300 Ki-10-I, and 280 Ki-10-II).

ww2dbaseThe Allied code name for the Ki-10 design was "Perry".

SPECIFICATIONS

Ki-10-II

Machinery	One Kawasaki Ha-9-IIb liquid-cooled inline V12 engine rated at 850hp
Armament	2x7.7mm Type 89 machine guns
Crew	1
Span	10.02 m
Length	7.20 m
Height	3.00 m
Wing Area	23.00 m²
Weight, Empty	1,360 kg
Weight, Loaded	1,740 kg
Speed, Maximum	400 km/h
Service Ceiling	11,500 m
Range, Normal	1,100 km

Photographs