Mitsubishi Ki-51
The Mitsubishi Ki-51 (Allied codename "Sonia") was a light bomber/dive bomber aircraft in service with the Imperial Japanese Army during World War Two. 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 theatre, notably from airfields too rough for many other aircraft. As the war drew to a close, they began to be used in kamikaze attacks. Total production was around 2385 units.
Specifications
General Characteristics
- Crew: Two (Pilot and rear gunner)
- Length: 9.20m (30 ft 2.5 in)
- Wingspan: 12.10 m (39 ft 8.25 in)
- Height: 2.73 m (8 ft 11.5 in)
- Wing area: 24.02 m² (258.56 ft²)
- Empty: 1,873 kg (4129 lb)
- Maximum takeoff: 2920 kg (6437 lb)
- Powerplant: 1x Mitsubishi Ha-26-II radial piston engine, rated at 940 hp (691 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 425 km/h (264 mph)
- Range: 1,060 km (659 miles)
- Service ceiling: 8,270 m (31,070 ft)
Armament
- 2x 7.7mm forward firing machine guns (replaced with 12.7mm machine guns in later models)
- 1x 7.7mm rear firing machine gun.
- 200kg (441 lb) of ordinance.
Comparable aircraft:
Designation sequence: Ki-48 - Ki-49 - Ki-50 - Ki-51 - Ki-52 - Ki-53 - Ki-54