Nakajima Ki-201 "Karyu"

The Nakajima Ki-201 "Karyu" was a Japanese jet fighter project designed during the final stages of World War II, but never completed. The Nakajima Kikka was inspired by the successful German Messerschmitt Me 262, but similarities to that aircraft were limited to the general configuration.

3 decal variants:

1. Nakajima Ki-201 Karyu - 68th Sentai, Japan, spring 1946 /alternate marking/

2. Nakajima Ki-201 Karyu - captured and tested by ATAIU-SEA, summer 1946 /alternate marking/

3. Nakajima Ki-201 Karyu - 59th Sentai, Fukuoka, Japan, winter 1945 /alternate marking/

On the other hand, the design team led by Iwao Shibuya based the Karyu much more closely on the German aircraft, which turned out to be quite impressive. The Ki-201 project was commissioned by the Japanese Imperial Army between October and December 1944, with the Army setting performance requirements of a top speed of 800~1000 km/h, a practical ceiling of 12,000 meters, and a range of 800~1,000 km. The design was advanced by Nakajima during 1945 and the basic drawings were completed in June. Nakajima expected to complete the first Karyu by December 1945 and the first 18 units by March 1946. Most sources agree that work on the first prototype did not begin until after the Japanese surrender.