Kawasaki Ki-10 and KDA-5
Model Airplane News Cover Art for January, 1938
by Jo Kotula
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The Kawasaki Ki-10 was the last biplane fighter used by the Imperial Japanese Army, entering service in 1935. Built by Kawasaki Kokuki Kogyo KK for the Imperial Japanese Army, it saw combat service in Manchukuo (Manchuria) and in north China during the early stages of the Second Sino-Japanese War. Its reporting name given by the Allies was "Perry".

  

Photos of the Kawasaki Ki-10 and KDA-5
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The Ki-10 was designed by Japanese aeronautical engineer Takeo Doi, who had succeeded Richart Vogt (a German) 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.

The Kawasaki design had unequal-span wings, braced by struts, and with upper-wing ailerons. The structure was of all-metal construction, which was then fabric-covered. Armament consisted of two 7.7 mm Type 89 machine guns, synchronized to fire through the propeller.

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