2-839-615 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

The Nakajima Ha 105 began development as a transitional engine between the Ha 25 and the Ha 115, both of which were mass produced. Specifically built for very low fuel consumption, only four are known to have been built. In January 1940, the Asahi Press requested the Aeronautical Research Institute of the University of Tokyo to design a long-distance record-breaking aircraft with a range exceeding 15,000 km (9,321 miles) and minimum cruising speed of 300 km/h (186 mph). With approval of the Japanese Army, the project received the designation A-26 (A referring to Asahi and 26 for the Japanese year, 2600 (A.D. 1940)). The aircraft was eventually powered by the higher powered Ha 115 Toku engines. With the onset of World War II, the objective changed to making the plane a long-range communication aircraft, and redesignated Tachikawa Ki-77 Army Experimental Long-range Research Plane. Two prototype aircraft were built before the War ended.