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Japan's Mitsubishi Ki-67 Hirya (flying dragon) bomber1,2
Army Type 4
Allied Name: "Peggy"1,2
Mitsubishi Ki-67, "Peggy" bomber:
Design
The Mitsubishi Ki-67 was to be a successor to the Nakajima Ki-49 Donryu.2
In 1940 a specification was put forth for a heavy strategic bomber that would be used against the Soviet Union in an anticipated war with them.1
Unusually for a Japanese design the Mitsubishi Ki-67 had armor protection and self sealing fuel tanks.1
After the prototype flew the Army made many suggestions for changes that it delayed the project.1
Prototype
The Ki-67 prototype first flew on December 27, 1942 / December 27, 19432.1,2
Production
Deliveries of the Ki-67-I began in April 1944.2
Production was disrupted by an earthquake in December 1944 and American bombing.2
- Ki-67: 6981
- Manufacturers: Mitsubishi (606)2, Kawasaki (91)2, Tachikawa Army Air Arsenal (1)2
- Ki-67-II Prototype: 22
- Ki-109: 222
- Built between August 1944 - March 1945.2
Variants
- Ki-67-I: First production model.2
- Ki-67-I KAI: Suicide bomber.2
- Ki-67-Ib:
- Ki-67-II Prototype: Had Ha-214 radial engines (2,400 HP).2
- Ki-109: Heavy fighter.2 Cannons in nose.2 Crew of two.2 Used Ha-211 Ru engines (2,200 HP).2
Usage
Army's First Use
In October 1944 the Ki-67 was used in combat by the 7th Sentai and 98th Sentai.1
Navy's First Use
In October 1944 the Ki-67 was first used as a torpedo bomber by the 762nd Kokutai in a battle off of Formosa against the United States 3rd Fleet.1,2
Okinawa Campaign
During the battle for Okinawa the Ki-67 was used to attack the American Mariana Island air force bases.2
China
The Ki-67 was used over China late in the war, but performance was hampered by experienced crews.2
| Mitsubishi Ki-671,2 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Bomber1 Medium bomber2 Torpedo bomber2 |
| Crew | 6 - 81,2 |
| Engine (Type) | 2: Mitsubishi Ha-104 piston1,2 |
| Cylinders | Radial1, Radial 142 |
| Cooling | |
| Net HP | 1,900 each1,2 |
| Propeller blades | 42 |
| Dimensions | |
| Span | 73' 9.75"1,2 22.5 m1,2 |
| Length | 61' 4.25"1,2 18.7 m1,2 |
| Height | 18' 4.5"2, 25' 3 1/8"1 5.6 m2, 7.7 m1 |
| Wing area | 708.8 ft2 1 65.85 m2 1 |
| Weight | |
| Empty | 19,068 lb1, 19,070 lb2 8,649 kg1, 8,650 kg2 |
| Loaded | 30,347 lb1,2 13,765 kg1,2 |
| Performance | |
| Speed @ 19,980' / 6,090 m |
334 mph1,2 537 kph1,2 |
| Cruising speed | 249 mph2 400 kph2 |
| Climb | 1,476'/minute2 450 m/minute2 |
| Climb to 19,685' / 6,000 m |
14.5 minutes1,2 |
| Service ceiling | 31,070'1,2 9,470 m1,2 |
| Range | 1,740 miles1,2 2,800 km1,2 |
| Maximum range | 2,360 miles2 3,800 km2 |
| Armament | |
| Nose | 1: 12.7 mm MG2 1: 12.7 mm Type 11 |
| Beam | 1: 12.7 mm MG2 1: 12.7 mm Type 11 |
| Tail | 1: 12.7 mm MG2 1: 12.7 mm Type 11 |
| Tail - later models | 2: 12.7 mm MG2 |
| Dorsal | 1: 20 mm2 1: 20 mm He-51 |
| Normal bomb load | 1,102 lb2 500 kg2 |
| Bombs | 1,764 lb1,2 800 kg1,2 |
| OR | |
| Torpedo | 1: 2,359 lb1 1: 1,070 kg1 |
| OR | 1: 1,764 lb2 1: 800 kg2 |
| OR | |
| Bombs - kamikaze | 6,393 lb1 2,900 kg1 |
Sources:
- Fighting Aircraft of World War II, Editor: Karen Leverington, 1995
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
