Tachikawa Ki-55

The Tachikawa Ki-55 (Allied reporting name Ida) is a Japanese advanced trainer.

Design and development

The excellent characteristics of the Tachikawa Ki-36 made it potentially ideal as a trainer. This led to the development of the Ki-55. The main differences were the installation of dual controls for the instructor at the rear seat. Unnecessary equipment was removed, such as armament, radio and radio mast, bomb racks and the fuselage side observation windows. The wheel spats would often be removed as well, but not always.

After successful testing of a prototype in September 1939, the type was put into production as the Tachikawa Army Type 99 Advanced Trainer.

In all, 1,389 Ki-55 were constructed before production ended in December 1943 - with Tachikawa having built 1078 and Kawasaki 311.

Both the Ki-55 and the Ki-36 were given the Allied nickname Ida.

Operators

Imperial Japanese Army Air Force

Kumagaya Army Flying School
Mito Army Flying School
Tachiarai Army Flying School
Utsonomiya Army Flying School

Manchukuo Air Force

Reorganized National Government of China

National Government of China Air Force received several from the Japanese.

Republic of China Air Force operated captured aircraft.

People's Liberation Army Air Force operated more than 30 captured aircraft at the end of 1945. These Ki-55s were used until the last 14 retired in 1953.

Indonesian Air Force (then called Indonesian People's Security Force)

Royal Thai Air Force purchased 24 machines in 1942 and operated them under the designation B.F.6 (). These aircraft were in service until 1950.

Francillon also mentions delivery to the Japanese satellite air force of Cochinchina, the southernmost third part of present Vietnam

Surviving aircraft

Two aircraft have survived.

A Ki-55 is on display at the Royal Thai Air Force Museum in Bangkok, Thailand.
A Ki-55, numbered 103, is on display at the Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution in Beijing, China.

Specifications (Ki-55)

References

Bibliography

(new edition 1987 by Putnam Aeronautical Books, ); 3rd edition 1987, Putnam Aeronautical Books. .)