Nakajima Type 100 Donryu Ki-49 (Helen)
Technical Information

Background
The Donryu started its operational career in February 1942 with a series of high altitude raids on the Darwin and other targets in Australia.

Ki-49's were better armored, carried substantial defensive armament, and had self-sealing fuel tanks. It was the first Army bomber with a tail turret. Intended as a replacement for the Ki-21 Sally, it fell short of preformance expectations and served alongside them instead.

Ki-49-II
The Ki-49-II model was at one point the most widely used JAAF bomber, also used in transport and antisubmarine and later kamikazie roles.

Production
A total of 819 were built at Nakajima at Ota and Tachikawa.

Technical Details (Ki-49-II)
Crew  Eight (pilot, co-pilot, navigator, bombardier, radio, three gunners)
Span  22.424m
Length  16.5m
Height  4.25m
Maximum Speed  306 mph at 16,405'
Range  (normal) 1,243 miles (maximum) 1,833 miles
Armament  (dorsal) 20mm Ho-1 cannon (nose, 2 x waist, tail) 7.7mm machine guns
Bomb Load  (bomb bay) 1,653 lbs (maximum) 2,205 lbs (suicide) 3,527 lbs

Last Updated
September 30, 2009