Mitsubishi Kasei

Design and development

Although originally ordered by the Imperial Japanese Navy, the Kasei was based on the earlier Mitsubishi Shinten engine, itself based originally on the Mitsubishi Kinsei. Produced in a wide variety of models, the Kasei began with a rated power of 1530 HP, with a gradual evolution to 1850 HP in later wartime versions. Three variants were developed for the Japanese Navy starting in 1939. It was also later adopted by the Imperial Japanese Army as the Ha-101 engine. Unified code was Ha-32.

Physically, the engine had a rather large 1322 mm diameter compared to the 1180 mm of the Nakajima Homare engine. Its size and weight meant it was a challenging engine to use on single engine fighters.

Variants

• MK4A [Ha-32] 11 :1530 HP, 2450 rpm at takeoff 1410 HP, 2350 rpm at 1000 m 1380 HP, 2350 rpm at 4000 m
• MK4B [Ha-32] 12 - same as MK4A 11
• MK4C [Ha-32] 13 - with extended propeller shaft :1460 HP, 2450 rpm at takeoff 1420 HP, 2350 rpm at 2600 m 1300 HP, 2350 rpm at 6000 m
• MK4D [Ha-32] 14 - with contra-rotating shafts
• MK4E [Ha-32] 15 - with improved altitude performance
• MK4P [Ha-32] 21 :1850 HP, 2600 rpm at takeoff 1680 HP, 2500 rpm at 2600 m 1540 HP, 2500 rpm at 6000 m
• MK4Q [Ha-32] 22 - same as MK4A 21
• MK4R [Ha-32] 23 - Water-injection :1820 HP, 2600 rpm at takeoff 1600 HP, 2500 rpm at 1300 m 1520 HP, 2500 rpm at 4100 m
• MK4R-C [Ha-32] 23c - 1820 HP - Fitted with a turbo charger that allowed an output of 1420 HP to be maintained up to 30000 ft instead of only 15750 ft
• MK4S [Ha-32] 24 - Same power as the MK4P 21 with contra-rotating shafts
• MK4T [Ha-32] 25 - 1825 HP,1850 HP
• MK4R [Ha-32] 26 :1800 HP, 2600 rpm at takeoff 1510 HP, 2500 rpm at 2800 m 1400 HP, 2500 rpm at 7200 m
• MK4U-4 [Ha-32] 26a - Mechanically driven 2-speed supercharger :1760 HP, 2600 rpm at takeoff :1590 HP, 2500 rpm rated at 2500m :1400 HP, 2500 rpm rated at 6800m
• MK4V [Ha-32] 27 :1795 HP

Applications

• Kawanishi E15K
• Kawanishi H8K
• Kawanishi N1K
• Mitsubishi G4M
• Mitsubishi J2M
• Mitsubishi Ki-21
• Nakajima B6N
• Nakajima G5N
• Yokosuka P1Y

Specifications (MK4V 27)

and start a new, fully formatted line with --

• 1850 HP at Takeoff
• 1680 HP at 6889 ft Low blower rated with water injection)
• 1570 HP at 18044 ft, Rated high blower with water injection) |power/weight=1.08 hp/lb (1.77 kW/kg)

References

Notes

Bibliography

• Matsuoka Hisamitsu, Nakanishi Masayoshi. The History of Mitsubishi Aero Engines 1915–1945. Miki Press, Japan, 2005.
• Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopaedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989.
• Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II. London. Studio Editions Ltd, 1989.

References

1. Gunston 1989, p.104.
2. "国立国会図書館デジタルコレクション".