Kawasaki Ki-3

The Kawasaki Ki‑3 was a single‑engine, two‑seat biplane fighter‑reconnaissance aircraft built by the Kawasaki Aerospace Systems Company for the Imperial Japanese Army in the early 1930s. First flying in 1932, the Ki‑3 entered service in 1933 as the Army’s first domestically designed high‑performance combat plane, replacing a series of foreign types that had been licence‑built in Japan. Powered by a 477 kW (640 hp) Nakajima Ha‑9 radial engine, the aircraft featured a mixed construction of steel tube fuselage, wooden wings and fabric covering, giving it a clean aerodynamic profile and a top speed of 320 km/h (200 mph). Its armament comprised two synchronized 7.7 mm machine guns and the capacity to carry up to 150 kg of light bombs, making it versatile for both air‑to‑ground and scouting missions. The Ki‑3 proved reliable in the Sino‑Japanese conflict, where it achieved a respectable kill‑ratio and demonstrated the viability of Japanese‑engineered fighters. Although quickly superseded by monoplane designs such as the Kawasaki Ki‑10, the Ki‑3’s successful integration of indigenous powerplants, streamlined aerodynamics, and flexible payload set a benchmark that accelerated Japan’s transition to modern, all‑metal combat aircraft. Its legacy endures in Japan’s post‑war aviation heritage, inspiring future designers.