Mitsubishi Ha-43
The Mitsubishi Ha-43, known as the Ha-211 by the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force (IJAAF) and MK9 by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service (IJNAS)), was a Japanese 18-cylinder, twin-row air-cooled radial engine developed during World War II. It was a more powerful derivative of Mitsubishi's 14-cylinder Kinsei. While planned for use in several promising aircraft, only prototypes were made and the engine never saw combat.
Design and development
The Ha-43 was Mitsubishi's answer to Nakajima's Ha-45. The engine was planned to produce 2,200 hp (1,600 kW) while retaining high reliability and a superior power-to-weight ratio compared to contemporary engines in its class. The frontal area per hp. was also intended to be the smallest in the world. However, such ambitious targets necessitated extraordinary efforts and ingenuity at the same time. At the time, Mitsubishi was working to promote a different engine, the Ha-42 (an 18-cylinder derivative of the Kasei), development of which was prioritized above the Ha-43's, delaying its completion. Consequently, the Ha-45 entered service first, albeit plagued with reliability issues, which would also trouble the Ha-43. Numerous promising aircraft, such as the Kyushu J7W interceptor and Mitsubishi's own A7M Reppu fighter, were planned to use the Ha-43, but in the end, such aircraft did not see service before Japan's surrender, nor did the engine itself. General characteristics: (Ha-43/Ha-211/MK9)
Components
Performance
Applications
The Ha-43 was Mitsubishi's answer to Nakajima's Ha-45. The engine was planned to produce 2,200 hp (1,600 kW) while retaining high reliability and a superior power-to-weight ratio compared to contemporary engines in its class. The frontal area per hp. was also intended to be the smallest in the world. However, such ambitious targets necessitated extraordinary efforts and ingenuity at the same time. At the time, Mitsubishi was working to promote a different engine, the Ha-42 (an 18-cylinder derivative of the Kasei), development of which was prioritized above the Ha-43's, delaying its completion. Consequently, the Ha-45 entered service first, albeit plagued with reliability issues, which would also trouble the Ha-43. Numerous promising aircraft, such as the Kyushu J7W interceptor and Mitsubishi's own A7M Reppu fighter, were planned to use the Ha-43, but in the end, such aircraft did not see service before Japan's surrender, nor did the engine itself. General characteristics: (Ha-43/Ha-211/MK9)
- Type: 18-cylinder air-cooled two-row radial piston engine
- Bore: 140 mm (5.5 in.)
- Stroke: 150 mm (5.9 in.)
- Displacement: 41.7 L (2,546 cu in.)
- Length: 2,020 mm (79.5 in.)
- Diameter: 1,230 mm (48.4 in.)
- Dry weight: 980 kg (2,161 lb)
Components
- Turbocharger: Centrifugal two-speed mechanical supercharger
Performance
- Power output: 1,641 kW (2,200 hp) at 2,900 rpm
- Compression ratio: 7.2
- Boost: +350 mm Hg
Applications
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Source(s):
Wikipedia
Gunston, Bill (2006). World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines: From the Pioneers to the Present Day (5th ed.). Stroud, UK: Sutton. ISBN 0-7509-4479-X.
Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II. London. Studio Editions Ltd, 1989. ISBN 0-517-67964-7
Francillon, Ph.D., René J. Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War. London: Putnam & Company Ltd., 2nd edition 1979. ISBN 0-370-30251-6.
Wikipedia
Gunston, Bill (2006). World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines: From the Pioneers to the Present Day (5th ed.). Stroud, UK: Sutton. ISBN 0-7509-4479-X.
Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II. London. Studio Editions Ltd, 1989. ISBN 0-517-67964-7
Francillon, Ph.D., René J. Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War. London: Putnam & Company Ltd., 2nd edition 1979. ISBN 0-370-30251-6.