Mitsubishi Ki-51

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

The Mitsubishi Ki-51 (Army designation "Type 99 Assault Plane"; Allied nickname "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.

Charles Lindbergh, flying a P-38 Lightning, shot down a Ki-51. [2]

Variants

Operators

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

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 [4]

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. "Charles Lindbergh and the 475th Fighter Group." Lightning Strikes.
  3. Francillon 1979 , p. 180.
  4. 1 2 Francillon 1979, p. 181.

Bibliography

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