ARMY TYPE 93 LIGHT BOMBER KI-2 II

The Mitsubishi Ki-2 (another designation: Mitsubishi Type 93) was a Japanese light bomber from the interwar period and World War II. The machine was built in a low-wing configuration with a fixed undercarriage (version Ki-2-I) in a classic configuration. The flight of the prototype took place in 1933, and serial production continued in 1933-1938. The plane had a length - in the Ki-2-I version - 12.6 meters with a wingspan of 19.96 meters. The drive was provided by two Nakajima Jupiter VII radial engines with 570 HP each. The deck armament consisted of two machine guns. In addition, the machine could carry a load of bombs weighing up to 500 kilograms. The Mitsubishi Ki-2 was largely developed for the imported Junkers K-37 aircraft. The new machine was to replace the biplane Mitsubishi Type 87 or Kawasaki Type 88 biplanes. Compared to the original, it was decided to change the structure of the fuselage, especially its front part, and also the undercarriage and ailerons on the wings. Despite the crash of the first prototype, the modernized machine was accepted into service with the Japanese Army. Shortly thereafter, in 1936, a modernized version was created (designation: Ki-2-II), which had, among others: new drive units and metal propellers in place of the previously used wooden ones. The machine also received a retractable in-flight landing gear. Mitsubishi Ki-2 planes fought primarily in the Japanese-Chinese war of 1937-1945, gaining very favorable opinions from pilots. However, as early as 1939, they began to be withdrawn from service in favor of more modern machines.