Kawasaki Ki-100-1b returns to Cosford
The Royal Air Force Museum Cosfordhas seen the return of the Kawasaki Ki-100-1b World War Two aircraft. After almost eight years on display at the RAF Museum in London the Japanese fighter aircraft has now returned to Cosford and is on display to visitors. The aircraft is displayed alongside the Mitsubishi Dinah with the Museum’s collection of Second World War aircraft.
The Kawasaki Ki-100-1b aircraft was initially conceived as a stop gap design, but became one of the finest Japanese fighters of World War Two despite not being introduced until 1945. One consequence of the American ‘island hopping’ campaign across the Pacific was to expose Japan to air attack by long range bombers. In response, the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force urgently sought fighters with improved high altitude performance.
The first prototype made its maiden flight on 1st February 1945. Following an accelerated and highly successful flight test programme, the new Army Type 5 fighter entered service shortly after. 390 examples were manufactured before the Japanese surrender.
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