windswords
CLEARANCE: Secret
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- May 20, 2009
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I did google search for Ki-73 and only found to references two it with some background info but no drawings:
http://www.daveswarbirds.com/Nippon/aircraft/Steve.htm
'The Ki-73 was an earlier attempt to meet the same specification for a long-range escort fighter that was later developed as the Ki-83. The Ki-73, however, had a single-engine configuration as opposed the later Ki-83's twin engines. When development problems with the 2,600 hp Mitsubishi Ha-203-II engine caused a delay in the program the Ki-73 project was abandoned, and the Ki-83 project began as its replacement. However, based upon captured documents the Allies believed that the Ki-73 was about to enter service with the Japanese Army, and gave it the Allied codename of "Steve".'
http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_mitsubishi_ki-73.html
"The Mitsubishi Ki-73 was a design for a single-engined long range escort fighter, produced in response to a Japanese Army specification issued in May 1943. The Ki-73 was designed by Tomio Kubo, who was also responsible for the Ki-46 Dinah and Ki-83 twin engined fighter. It was to have been powered by the 2,600hp Mitsubishi Ha-203-II twenty four cylinder horizontal H liquid-cooled engine, but this engine was plagued by development problems. As a result the Ki-73 never progressed beyond the design stage, and Tomio Kubo moved on to the twin engined Ki-83, which did at least reach the prototype stage. Despite never having been produced, the Ki-73 was given an Allied code name – ‘Steve’ – because captured documents suggested that the aircraft was about to enter service. "
Does anyone have any drawings or an artist's rendering of this aircraft?
http://www.daveswarbirds.com/Nippon/aircraft/Steve.htm
'The Ki-73 was an earlier attempt to meet the same specification for a long-range escort fighter that was later developed as the Ki-83. The Ki-73, however, had a single-engine configuration as opposed the later Ki-83's twin engines. When development problems with the 2,600 hp Mitsubishi Ha-203-II engine caused a delay in the program the Ki-73 project was abandoned, and the Ki-83 project began as its replacement. However, based upon captured documents the Allies believed that the Ki-73 was about to enter service with the Japanese Army, and gave it the Allied codename of "Steve".'
http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_mitsubishi_ki-73.html
"The Mitsubishi Ki-73 was a design for a single-engined long range escort fighter, produced in response to a Japanese Army specification issued in May 1943. The Ki-73 was designed by Tomio Kubo, who was also responsible for the Ki-46 Dinah and Ki-83 twin engined fighter. It was to have been powered by the 2,600hp Mitsubishi Ha-203-II twenty four cylinder horizontal H liquid-cooled engine, but this engine was plagued by development problems. As a result the Ki-73 never progressed beyond the design stage, and Tomio Kubo moved on to the twin engined Ki-83, which did at least reach the prototype stage. Despite never having been produced, the Ki-73 was given an Allied code name – ‘Steve’ – because captured documents suggested that the aircraft was about to enter service. "
Does anyone have any drawings or an artist's rendering of this aircraft?