Mitsubishi Ki-51

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Ki-51
Mitsubishi Ki-51-1.jpg
Mitsubishi Ki-51
General information
Type Light bomber/dive bomber
Manufacturer Mitsubishi Jukogyo KK
Primary user Imperial Japanese Army Air Service
Number built2,385 [1]
History
First flightmid-1939

The Mitsubishi Ki-51 (Army designation "Type 99 Assault Plane"; Allied reporting name "Sonia") was a light bomber/dive bomber in service with the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. It first flew in mid-1939. Initially deployed against Chinese forces, it proved to be too slow to hold up against the fighter aircraft of the other Allied powers. However, it performed a useful ground-attack role in the China-Burma-India theater, notably from airfields too rough for many other aircraft. As the war drew to a close, the Japanese began using them in kamikaze attacks. Total production was around 2,385 units.

Contents

On the day Hiroshima was destroyed by an atomic bomb, a single Ki-51 was responsible for the last Japanese sinking of a US warship, sinking USS Bullhead (SS-332) with all hands.

Variants

Operators

Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
Flag of the Republic of China.svg  Republic of China
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
Flag of France.svg  France
Flag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia
Flag of North Korea.svg  Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Flag of South Korea.svg  Republic of Korea

Surviving aircraft

Indonesian Air Force Ki-51 "Guntei" at Dirgantara Mandala Museum Guntei.jpg
Indonesian Air Force Ki-51 "Guntei" at Dirgantara Mandala Museum

The only complete survivor of Ki-51 is part of the collection of the Dirgantara Mandala Museum in Indonesia. The aircraft was found abandoned at the Babo Airfield in West Papua province. The aircraft was likely stripped for spare parts and later abandoned. Before the aircraft was recovered, its propeller blade was cut off, with its engine cowling and cockpit canopy was missing. The aircraft was recovered from Babo airfield in 1987, was restored and then displayed with Indonesian Air Force markings at the Dirgantara Mandala Museum. [4] [5]

Specifications (Ki-51)

3-view drawing of the Mitsubishi Ki-51 Mitsubishi Ki-51 3-view line drawing.png
3-view drawing of the Mitsubishi Ki-51

Data fromJapanese Aircraft of the Pacific War [6]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

Notes

  1. Angelucci, Enzo (1988). Combat aircraft of World War II. p. 26. ISBN   0-517-64179-8.
  2. Francillon 1979 , p. 180.
  3. "Japanese Aircraft used by the French". hedgehoghollow.com. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  4. "Ki 51 Sonia (Babo Airfield / Indonesian Air Force Museum)". pacificwrecks.com. 9 November 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  5. "Yogyakarta Ki-51 "Sonia"". j-aircraft.com. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  6. 1 2 Francillon 1979, p. 181.

Bibliography

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