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Nakajima Ki-49

January 01, 1970

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.

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

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 edit

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 edit

 
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 edit

 
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 edit

Wartime edit

  Japan
  • Imperial Japanese Army Air Force
    • No. 61 Hikō Sentai IJAAF
    • No. 62 Hikō Sentai IJAAF
    • No. 74 Hikō Sentai IJAAF
    • No. 95 Hikō Sentai IJAAF
    • No. 110 Hikō Sentai IJAAF
    • No. 11 Hikōshidan IJAAF
    • Hamamatsu Army Heavy Bomber School

Post-war edit

  France
  • 3 captured aircraft were used between 1946 and 1949 in Indochina
  Indonesia
  Thailand

Specifications (Ki-49-IIa) edit

 
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

  • Crew: 8 (pilot, co-pilot, bombardier, navigator, radio operator/gunner and three gunners)
  • Length: 16.5 m (54 ft 2 in)
  • Wingspan: 20.42 m (67 ft 0 in)
  • Height: 4.25 m (13 ft 11 in)
  • Wing area: 69.05 m2 (743.2 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 6,530 kg (14,396 lb)
  • Gross weight: 10,680 kg (23,545 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 11,400 kg (25,133 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Nakajima Ha-109 Army Type 2 fourteen-cylinder air-cooled radial 14-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines, 1,100 kW (1,500 hp) each for take-off
or 969 kW (1,300 hp) at 5,280 m (17,320 ft)
  • Propellers: 3-bladed constant-speed metal propellers

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 492 km/h (306 mph, 266 kn) at 5,000 m (16,000 ft)
  • Cruise speed: 350 km/h (220 mph, 190 kn) at 3,000 m (9,800 ft)
  • Range: 2,000 km (1,200 mi, 1,100 nmi)
  • Ferry range: 2,950 km (1,830 mi, 1,590 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 9,300 m (30,500 ft)
  • Time to altitude: 5,000 m (16,000 ft) in 13 minutes 39 seconds
  • Wing loading: 154.7 kg/m2 (31.7 lb/sq ft)
  • Power/mass: 0.210 kW/kg (0.128 hp/lb)

Armament

See also edit

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References edit

Notes edit

  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 edit

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nakajima Ki-49 Donryu.
  • Bueschel, Richard M. (2004). Nakajima Ki-49 Donryu in Japanese Army Air Force Service. Atglen, PA: Schiffer. ISBN 0-7643-0344-9.
  • Francillon, René J. (1979). Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War. London: Putnam. pp. 223–229. ISBN 0-370-30251-6.
  • Green, William & Swanborough, Gordon (n.d.). "Pentagon Over the Islands: The Thirty-Year History of Indonesian Military Aviation". Air Enthusiast Quarterly (2): 154–162. ISSN 0143-5450.
  • Mondey, David (1996). Axis Aircraft of World War II. London: Chancellor Press. ISBN 0-7537-1460-4.

January 01, 1970
nakajima, donryu, 嵐龍, storm, dragon, twin, engine, japanese, world, heavy, bomber, designed, carry, daylight, bombing, missions, without, protection, escort, fighters, consequently, while, official, designation, army, type, heavy, bomber, accurate, regard, for. 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 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 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 Contents 1 Development 2 Operational history 3 Variants 4 Operators 4 1 Wartime 4 2 Post war 5 Specifications Ki 49 IIa 6 See also 7 References 7 1 Notes 8 BibliographyDevelopment editThe 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 edit nbsp 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 nbsp 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 edit nbsp 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 editWartime edit nbsp Japan Imperial Japanese Army Air Force No 61 Hikō Sentai IJAAF No 62 Hikō Sentai IJAAF No 74 Hikō Sentai IJAAF No 95 Hikō Sentai IJAAF No 110 Hikō Sentai IJAAF No 11 Hikōshidan IJAAF Hamamatsu Army Heavy Bomber School Post war edit nbsp France 3 captured aircraft were used between 1946 and 1949 in Indochina nbsp Indonesia Indonesian Air Force Ex Japanese Aircraft were operated by Indonesian guerilla forces after the war 8 nbsp Thailand Royal Thai Air Force Utilized 1 Nakajima Ki 49 as a transport post war during 1945 46Specifications Ki 49 IIa edit nbsp 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 characteristicsCrew 8 pilot co pilot bombardier navigator radio operator gunner and three gunners Length 16 5 m 54 ft 2 in Wingspan 20 42 m 67 ft 0 in Height 4 25 m 13 ft 11 in Wing area 69 05 m2 743 2 sq ft Empty weight 6 530 kg 14 396 lb Gross weight 10 680 kg 23 545 lb Max takeoff weight 11 400 kg 25 133 lb Powerplant 2 Nakajima Ha 109 Army Type 2 fourteen cylinder air cooled radial 14 cylinder air cooled radial piston engines 1 100 kW 1 500 hp each for take off or 969 kW 1 300 hp at 5 280 m 17 320 ft Propellers 3 bladed constant speed metal propellers Performance Maximum speed 492 km h 306 mph 266 kn at 5 000 m 16 000 ft Cruise speed 350 km h 220 mph 190 kn at 3 000 m 9 800 ft Range 2 000 km 1 200 mi 1 100 nmi Ferry range 2 950 km 1 830 mi 1 590 nmi Service ceiling 9 300 m 30 500 ft Time to altitude 5 000 m 16 000 ft in 13 minutes 39 seconds Wing loading 154 7 kg m2 31 7 lb sq ft Power mass 0 210 kW kg 0 128 hp lb Armament Guns 1 20 mm 0 787 in Ho 1 cannon in a dorsal gun position and 5 7 7 mm 0 303 in Type 89 machine guns one nose two waist one ventral and one in a tail position Bombs 1 000 kg 2 200 lb bombloadSee also editAircraft of comparable role configuration and era Fokker T V Heinkel He 111 Ilyushin Il 4 Junkers Ju 188 Martin B 26 Marauder Mitsubishi G4M Mitsubishi Ki 67 North American B 25 Mitchell Vickers Wellington Related lists List of aircraft of World War II List of bomber aircraftReferences editNotes edit Francillon 1970 p 223 Francillon 1979 p 223 Francillon 1979 p 225 Francillon 1979 p 226 Francillon 1979 p 227 Francillon 1979 pp 227 228 Francillon 1979 p 229 Japanese Aircraft in Foreign Service WWII and Post WWII retrieved 24 August 2010 Francillon 1979 pp 228 229 Mondey 1996 p 228 Bibliography edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nakajima Ki 49 Donryu Bueschel Richard M 2004 Nakajima Ki 49 Donryu in Japanese Army Air Force Service Atglen PA Schiffer ISBN 0 7643 0344 9 Francillon Rene J 1979 Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War London Putnam pp 223 229 ISBN 0 370 30251 6 Green William amp Swanborough Gordon n d Pentagon Over the Islands The Thirty Year History of Indonesian Military Aviation Air Enthusiast Quarterly 2 154 162 ISSN 0143 5450 Mondey David 1996 Axis Aircraft of World War II London Chancellor Press ISBN 0 7537 1460 4 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Nakajima Ki 49 amp oldid 1192834123, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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