Mitsubishi Ki-51

The Mitsubishi Ki-51 (Army designation "Type 99 Assault Plane"; Allied reporting name Sonia) is 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.

In 1941, Manchuria Aircraft Company produced a prototype Ki-71, which had its engine replaced with a Ha-112 and its fixed landing gear changed to retractable ones in order to improve performance. However, the performance improvement was not as great as expected, and the prototype was never put into practical use.Shigeru Nohara, Dictionary of Japanese Military Aircraft: Army Edition, Icarus Publishing, 2005, p. 120, ISBN 978-4871497329

The Ki-51 was used from the latter part of the Second Sino-Japanese War through the entire Pacific War, and were active in a wide range of locations from mainland China to the southern front (Malay Peninsula, Indonesia, Burma, New Guinea, Philippines, etc.). Positive traits of the Ki-51 included high low-altitude maneuverability, good takeoff and landing performance from rough ground, and good maintainability, making the Ki-51 a highly practical aircraft that could withstand heavy use on the battlefield.Kenji Ouchi, "Military Aircraft Supported in the Shadows," Kojinsha, 2004 In the latter half of the war losses increased as the basic design was undeniably outdated. When compared to late war fighters, it had relatively low horsepower and slow speed. Also, like other Japanese Army aircraft, it was a combat aircraft with a relatively mediocre bomb load and armament.

Some Ki-51s were modified to carry a 250 kg bomb under the fuselage, and were used as an anti-ship attack aircraft or kamikaze aircraft. On the day Hiroshima was destroyed by an atomic bomb, a Ki-51 was responsible for the last Japanese sinking of a US warship, sinking the submarine with all hands.

Variants Prototypes: two built Service trials: 11 built Ki-51: 2,372 built (Manufacturers: Mitsubishi (1,462), Tachikawa Army Air Arsenal (913)) until March 1944 Ki-51A: reconnaissance version. Ki-51B: assault version with armor and bomb racks to carry of bombs. It could also be fitted with an aerial camera. Mansyu Ki-71: three prototypes built by Mansyu with retractable landing gear, did not enter production.

Operators

Imperial Japanese Army Air Force

Communist Chinese (captured): The last 4 of around 100 Ki-51s were retired in 1953.

French Air Force - At least two Ki-51 was used by French Air Force in Indochina during First Indochina War.

Indonesian Air Force - In late 1945, the Indonesian People's Security Army (TKR) captured some aircraft at former Japanese bases, including Bugis Air Base in Malang. Most aircraft were destroyed during the Indonesian National Revolution of 1945–1949. Two Yokosuka K5Y "Cureng" and a Ki-51 "Guntei" carried out a bombing operation against the Dutch on 29 July 1947.

Following independence, transferred from the Soviet Union.

Used by South Korean Airforce during Korean War

Surviving aircraft

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 missing. The aircraft, recovered from Babo airfield in 1987, was restored and then displayed with Indonesian Air Force markings at the Dirgantara Mandala Museum.

Specifications (Ki-51)

Mitsubishi Ki-51

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