Mitsubishi was the first and largest series producer of Japanese engines during World War II, with a 1937 Pratt & Whitney arrangement possibly contributing to this success. Its Kinsei (Golden Star) engine saw service throughout the war, beginning at 544 kW (730 hp) and producing as much as 1,163 kW (1,560 hp) at war’s end. This artifact was removed from the left nacelle of a twin-engine Kawasaki Ki-102b, Army Type 4 Assault Plane, Model B (Allied Code Name Randy), a type which only saw limited action during the Okinawa campaign.
Other fighter, bomber, and reconnaissance aircraft using this engine included the Mitsubishi Ki-46 (Code Name Dinah), Mansyu Ki-71 (Edna), Yokosuka D4Y (Judy), Kawasaki Ki-45 KAI (Nick), Kawasaki Ki-61 (Tony), and Mitsubishi A6M (Zeke). A total of 85 Kinsei Ha 33 Model 62 engines were built between 1941 and 1945.
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Circa World War II
Japan
PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary
Mitsubishi Jukogyo K. K.
Type: Reciprocating, 14 cylinders, 2 rows, radial, air-cooled, turbosupercharged, fuel injected
Power rating: 1,119 kW (1,500 hp) at 2,600 rpm
Displacement: 32.5 L (1,980 cu in.)
Bore and Stroke: 140 mm (5.5 in.) x 150 mm (5.9 in.)
Weight: 675 kg (1,488 lb)
Overall: 3 ft. 11 15/16 in., 1488.1lb. (121.8cm, 675kg)
Other: 3 ft. 11 15/16 in. × 5 ft. 5 3/8 in. × 5 ft. 8 in. × 4 ft. 8 in. × 4 ft. 8 in. (121.8 × 166 × 172.7 × 142.2 × 142.2cm)
Aluminum
Ferrous Alloy
Paint
Adhesive Tape
Plastic
A19670089000
Transferred from the U.S. Army Air Forces, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
National Air and Space Museum
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