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Aviation History
1943
1943 - 1807.PDF
JULY 15TH, 1943 71. heir Characteristics KAWASAKI KB-97 (ARMY) fIXED UNDERCARRIAGE DIMENSIONS Span Length Height .. Wing area .. 47ft. 8£m. .. 32ft. 8in. .. 12ft. 4in. .. 295 sq. ft. DESIGNED in 1937 as a ieplacement type for theKB-93 biplane, the Kawasaki KB-97 was tne nrstmonoplane light bomber to be used by the Japanese. It was, needless to say, a vast improvement on its fore-runner, though it was powered by the same 900 h.p. Kawa- saki V-type liquid-cooled in-line engine which had beenused in the earlier biplane. It proved to be equally useful for reconnaissance duties, and a number of squadronswhich had been using Nakajima T-94 two-seater biplanes for observation duties were re-equipped with KB-97S in 1938. All-metal construction with light alloy stressed skincovering is employed except that ailerons and tail control surfaces are fabric covered. The split trailing-edge flaps,however, are metal covered. The fuselage is an oval sec- tion structure of light alloy with an aluminium alloystressed-skin covering. The fixed cantilever compression legs of the undercarriage are enclosed in fairings and have spatted wheels which are, however, exposed on the outside. Defensive armament consists of either one or two syn-chronised 7.7 mm. machine guns mounted in the fuselage, and a manually operated " free " machine gun of the samecalibre in the rear cockpit. Bombs are carried internally, but wing racks are alsoavailable, and the fuselage has a good aerodynamical form and smooth exterior finish. In spite of its fixed under-carriage, this aircraft is credited with a top speed of 236 m.p.h. at 13,000ft. Its operating speed is 206 m.p.h., ser-vice ceiling 25,000ft., and cruising range 490 miles. Loaded weight is given as 7,000 lb. The KB-97 is stiH in service, but the latest version hasspats completely enclosing the upper part of the wheels, and a fillet between the leading-edge of the fin and thefuselage. It has been used in all Japan's theatres of war, including China, Malaya, Burma, Borneo and the DutchEast Indies.
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