The Kawasaki Ki-78 was a high speed research aeroplane designed in Japan in the late 1930s. The project was taken over by the Imperial Japanese Army in 1941 but terminated after only the prototype had been completed.

The Kawasaki Ki-78 was designed by the Aeronautical Research Institute of the University of Tokyo to investigate laminar profile wings with high wing loadings.

The research program commenced in 1938 with construction to be undertaken by the Kawasaki company.

At the outbreak of war the project was taken over by the Imperial Japanese Army which gave it the military designation Ki.78.

Two prototypes were ordered in September 1941 and the prototype flew for the first time on 26 December 1942.

A feasibility study to improve the aircraft’s flight performance showed it was not feasible without extensive modifications and the project was terminated after the 32nd flight on 11 January 1944.

This model represents the sole Ki-78.

Anigrand 1/144 kit completed by Leigh Edmonds inanuary 2019.