Nakajima provided Japan with its first large radials by building Bristols beginning in the late 1920s. In 1936, Nakajima began building Gnome-Rhone engines under license. Its own World War II designs were apparently not considered very good. The principal feature of the Nakajima Type 2 engine was its compactness. It was slightly smaller in diameter than the equivalent Mitsubishi Kasei Model 10 series, yet it produced about the same power.

The Nakajima Type 2 engine was used on 617 Nakajima Ki-49-II Donryu (Storm Dragon) (Allied Code Name Helen), Japanese army twin-engine, heavy bombers, originally designed to operate without fighter escort. It was also installed in about 1,100 Nakajima Ki-44-II Shoki (Devil-Queller) (Allied Code Name Tojo), single-engine, army interceptor fighters, designed to defend Japan against bombing attacks in World War II. A total of 3,554 of all Ha 109 series engines were built between 1940 and 1944.

Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.

Object Details

Date

Circa World War II

Country of Origin

Japan

Type

PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary

Manufacturer

Nakajima Hikoki K. K.

Physical Description

Type: Reciprocating, 14 cylinders, 2 rows, radial, air cooled
Power rating: 1,081 kW (1,450 hp) at 2,650 rpm
Displacement: 37.5 L (2,268 cu in.)
Bore and Stroke: 146 mm (5.75 in.) x 160 mm (5.3 in.)
Weight: 722 kg (1,590 lb)

Dimensions

Overall: 4 ft. 1 3/4 in., 1587.3lb. (126.3cm, 720kg)
Other: 4 ft. 1 3/4 in. × 5 ft. 11/16 in. × 5 ft. 10 in. × 4 ft. 10 in. × 5 ft. (126.3 × 154.1 × 177.8 × 147.3 × 152.4cm)

Materials

Non-Magnetic Metals
Ferrous Alloy
Copper Alloys
Wood
Paint
Ceramic
Fabric
Adhesive Tape

Inventory Number

A19670098000

Credit Line

Transferred from Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio

Data Source

National Air and Space Museum

Restrictions & Rights

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