Ki-49 Donryu
Role Heavy bomber
National origin Japan
Manufacturer Nakajima Aircraft Company
Designer Yasushi Koyama
First flight August 1939
Introduction 1941
Retired 1945
Status Retired
Primary user Imperial Japanese Army Air Force
Produced 1941–1944
Number built 819

The Nakajima Ki-49 Donryu (嵐龍, "Storm Dragon")[1] was a twin-engine Japanese World War II heavy bomber. It was designed to carry out daylight bombing missions, without the protection of escort fighters. Consequently, while its official designation, Army Type 100 Heavy Bomber, was accurate in regard to its formidable defensive armament and armor, these features restricted the Ki-49 to payloads comparable to those of lighter medium bombers – the initial production variant could carry only 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) of bombs.

A mid-wing, cantilever monoplane of all-metal construction, the Ki-49 was one of the first Japanese aircraft fitted with a retractable tailwheel. During World War II, it was known to the Allies by the reporting name "Helen".

Development

The Ki-49 was designed to replace the Mitsubishi Ki-21 ("Sally"), which entered service with the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force in 1938.[2] Learning from service trials of the Ki-21, the Army realized that however advanced it may have been at the time of its introduction, its new Mitsubishi bomber would in due course be unable to operate without fighter escorts. The Japanese Army stipulated that its replacement should have the speed and defensive weaponry to enable it to operate independently.

The prototype first flew in August 1939 and the development programme continued through three prototypes and seven pre-production aircraft. This first prototype was powered by a pair of 708 kW (949 hp) Nakajima Ha-5 KA-I radial engines but the next two had the 932 kW (1,250 hp) Nakajima Ha-41 engines that were intended for the production version. Seven more prototypes were built and these completed the test programme for the aircraft. Eventually in March 1941, the Donryu went into production as the Army Type 100 Heavy Bomber Model 1.[3]

Operational history

A formation of Ki-49s

Going operational from autumn 1941, the Ki-49 first saw service in China. After the outbreak of the Pacific War it was also active in the New Guinea area and in raids on Australia. Like the prototype, these early versions were armed with five 7.7 mm (0.303 in) machine guns and one 20 mm (0.787 in) cannon. Combat experience in China and New Guinea showed the Donryu to be underpowered, with bomb capacity and speed suffering as a result. Thus, in the spring of 1942 an up-engined version was produced, fitted with more powerful Ha-109 engines and this became the production Army Type 100 Heavy Bomber Model 2 or Ki-49-IIa. The Model 2 also introduced improved armor and self-sealing fuel tanks and was followed by the Ki-49-IIb in which 12.7 mm (0.5 in) Ho-103 machine guns replaced three of the 7.7 mm (0.303 in) Type 89 machine guns.[4]

Ki-49 in flight over Japan, 1945

In spite of these improvements, losses continued to mount as the quantity and quality of fighter opposition rose. In early 1943 further power increases were delayed owing to development difficulties with the 1,805 kW (2,421 hp) Nakajima Ha-117 engines and the Ki-49-III never entered production with only six prototypes being built.[5]

In the face of its increasing vulnerability to opposing fighter aircraft while performing its intended role, the Ki-49 was used in other roles towards the end of the Pacific War, including anti-submarine warfare patrol, troop transport and as a kamikaze.[6]

After 819 aircraft had been completed, production ended in December 1944.[7] 50 of these were built by Tachikawa.

Variants

British troops inspect captured Ki-49s at Kalidjati airfield, Java c. 1945
Ki-49
Prototypes and pre-series models with a 708 kW (949 hp) Nakajima Ha-5 KAI or the 930 kW (1,250 hp) Ha-4. The pre-series with little modifications from the prototype.
Ki-49-I
Army Type 100 Heavy Bomber Model 1, first production version.
Ki-49-II
Two prototypes fitted with two Nakajima Ha-109 radial piston engines.
Ki-49-IIa
Army Type 100 Heavy Bomber Model 2A - Production version with Ha-109 engines and armament as Model 1.
Ki-49-IIb
Version of Model 2 with 12.7 mm (0.50 in) Ho-103 machine guns replacing rifle caliber weapons.
Ki-49-III
Six prototypes fitted with two 1,805 kW (2,421 hp) Nakajima Ha-117 engines.
Ki-58
Escort fighter with Ha-109 engines, 5 x 20 mm (0.787 in) cannon, 3 x 12.7 mm (0.5 in) machine guns. 3 prototypes built.
Ki-80
Specialized pathfinder aircraft - 2 prototypes; employed as engine test-beds.

Operators

Wartime

 Japan

Post-war

 France
 Indonesia
 Thailand

Specifications (Ki-49-IIa)

3-view silhouette of the Nakajima Ki-49

Data from Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War,[9] and Axis Aircraft of World War II [10]

General characteristics

or 969 kW (1,300 hp) at 5,280 m (17,320 ft)

Performance

Armament

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

Notes

  1. ^ Francillon, 1970, p.223
  2. ^ Francillon 1979, p. 223.
  3. ^ Francillon 1979, p. 225.
  4. ^ Francillon 1979, p. 226.
  5. ^ Francillon 1979, p. 227.
  6. ^ Francillon 1979, pp. 227–228.
  7. ^ Francillon 1979, p. 229.
  8. ^ Japanese Aircraft in Foreign Service WWII and Post WWII retrieved 24 August 2010
  9. ^ Francillon 1979, pp. 228–229.
  10. ^ Mondey 1996, p. 228.

Bibliography

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