From 1937 Tachikawa produced a number of interesting designs which did not go into series production. These included the TS-1 single-seat ultra-light low-wing cabin monoplane; the R-38 two-seat parasol-wing monoplane primary trainer; the SS-1 twin-engined low-wing monoplane developed from the Lockheed 14 and intended for high-altitude research; the Ki-70 twin-engined high-speed reconnaissance monoplane; and the A-26, later redesignated Ki-77, a long-distance record aircraft with a remarkably slim fuselage and finely tapered wide-span monoplane wings. However, it was the Tachikawa Ki-74 monoplane which attracted the greatest official support. By 1941 the project had been confirmed as a long-range high-altitude bomber reconnaissance aircraft, and the first of the prototypes, powered by 1641kW turbocharged Ha-211-Ru radials, flew in March 1944. Thirteen pre-production machines followed, powered by more reliable 1491kW Ha-104 Ru engines, giving a maximum speed of 570km/h at 8500m. They carried 1000kg of bombs and were defended by a single remotely-controlled 12.7mm machine-gun in the tail. Although not used operationally, the Ki-74 received the Allied codename 'Patsy'.

3-View

A three-view drawing (752 x 848)