Жапондық Ki-10 истребителі

Japanese fighter

The Kawasaki Ki 10 (九五式戦闘機) was the last biplane fighter used by the Imperial Japanese Army, entering service in 1935. Built by Kawasaki Kōkūki Kōgyō K. K. for the Imperial Japanese Army, it saw combat service in Manchukuo and in North China during the early stages of the Second Sino Japanese War. Its reporting name given by the Allies was "Perry".

The Ki 10 was designed by Japanese aeronautical engineer Takeo Doi, who had succeeded Richard Vogt as chief designer for Kawasaki. The design was in response to a requirement issued by the Imperial Japanese Army for a new fighter, and was the winner of a competition against Nakajima's Ki 11. Although the low wing monoplane offered by Nakajima was more advanced, the Army preferred the more maneuverable biplane offered by Kawasaki. In order to overcome the speed disadvantage the Kawasaki team used a metal three blade propeller in the third prototype, while flush head rivets were used in an attempt to reduce drag. The Kawasaki design had unequal span biplane wings, braced by struts, and with upper wing ailerons. commander of the 28th Pursuit Squadron of the 5th Pursuit Group flying a Curtiss Hawk. By the time of the Nomonhan Incident (Battles of Khalkhin Gol) in 1939, the Ki 10 had become largely obsolete, and was being superseded by the Nakajima Ki 27. At the beginning of the Pacific War, the Ki 10 was retired to training and secondary missions, but later returned to front line service, performing short range patrol and reconnaissance missions in Japan proper and China in January–February 1942.