Mitsubishi Ki-51
| Mitsubishi Ki-51 | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Type: | Attack aircraft |
| Design country: | |
| Manufacturer: | |
| First flight: |
1939 |
| Commissioning: |
1940 |
| Production time: |
1940-1944 |
| Number of pieces: |
3298 |
The Mitsubishi Ki-51 is a Japanese attack aircraft of the Second World War . It was deployed in all theaters of the Pacific War and was also used for kamikaze missions at the end of the war . The allied code name is Sonia .
development
The Ki-51 was created as a result of a 1937 request by the Japanese army for a corresponding aircraft. The light bomber Ki-30 served as a template , but the wing was moved from mid-wing to low- wing position and the cockpit was changed. The bomb bay was left out entirely. The Ki-51 was constructed in all-metal construction and had a Ha-36-II radial engine with 940 hp as drive . The landing gear was rigid and streamlined. Overall, the dimensions of the Ki-51 were slightly smaller than the Ki-30.
From February 1938, two prototypes were built, which were tested from June 1939. Then 11 pre-series machines with armored engines and small aerodynamic improvements were built, which were sent to China for field testing.
From January 1940, series production began at Mitsubishi under the name Heerestyp 99 attack aircraft . By March 1944, 2,385 aircraft were built there, and 913 more were produced by Rikugun Kokugijutsu Kenkyujo in Tachikawa from July 1941 .
In addition, the Ki-51a reconnaissance aircraft with an aerial camera in the rear cockpit was developed. However, it did not go into series production. Instead, Mitsubishi developed a conversion kit with which normal Ki-51s could be converted into reconnaissance vehicles at short notice. A further development was the Ki-71 in 1941. This version, of which only 3 prototypes were built, had a retractable landing gear.
After the end of the war, many Ki-51s went to Indonesia , which with this aircraft laid the foundation for building up its air force.
Technical specifications
| Parameter | Data |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Mitsubishi |
| Year of construction (s) | 1940-45 |
| crew | 2 (pilot / gunner) |
| length | 9.21 m |
| Wingspan | 12.10 m |
| height | 2.73 m |
| Wing area | 24.02 m² |
| drive | an air-cooled 14-cylinder double radial engine Mitsubishi Ha-26-II |
| power | 701 kW (940 hp) |
| Top speed | 424 km / h at an altitude of 3,000 m |
| Rise time | 9 min, 55 s at an altitude of 5,000 m |
| Service ceiling | 8,270 m |
| Range | 1,060 km |
| Empty mass | 1,873 kg |
| Takeoff mass | normal 2,798 kg maximum 2,920 kg |
| Armament | two 7.7 mm MG in the wings (early series) or two 12.7 mm MG in the wings (later series) one movable 7.7 mm MG in the defense position |
| Bomb load | normal 200 kg maximum 250 kg |
