The Tachikawa Ki-54 was a Japanese twin-engine advanced trainer used during World War II. The aircraft was named Hickory by the Allies.
Ki-54 | |
---|---|
Tachikawa Ki-54 | |
Role | Twin-engine advanced crew trainer |
Manufacturer | Tachikawa Aircraft Company Ltd |
Designer | Shinjiro Shinagawa |
First flight | Summer 1940 |
Introduction | 1941 |
Retired | 1945 (Japan) 1952 (China) |
Primary user | Imperial Japanese Army Air Force |
Produced | 1941-1945 |
Number built | 1,368 |
The Ki-54 was developed in response to an Imperial Japanese Army requirement for a twin-engine advanced trainer, principally for crew training. The prototype first flew in summer 1940 and, on completing trials, entered production in 1941 as Army Type 1 Advanced Trainer Model A (Ki-54a). The Ki-54a was soon followed by the Ki-54b as Army Type 1 Operations Trainer Model B and Ki-54c as Army Type 1 Transport Model C. The Ki-54b and -c enjoyed successful careers until the end of the war. A few captured aircraft were flown after the war by various users.
Data from The Concise Guide to Axis Aircraft of World War II;[7] Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War[8]
General characteristics
Performance
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