Aircraft History
Built by Mitsubishi, estimated assembly date of late April 1943. This aircraft was the assault version of the Ki-51, with armor plate and bomb racks and was Overall dark gray paint scheme.

Wartime History
Likley, assigned to 26th Sentai, although a small possibility it was assigned to one of the other units that also operated the Ki-51. Possibly, this Ki-51 was destroed on the ground a bombing raid on Novmeber 30, 1943 by B-24s.

Wreckage
Located near Mt. Talawe, south of Tuluvu (Cape Gloucester). American bombing had destroyed its wings and a tree impact had broken the fuselage in half.

Inspected by US Army TIAU on January 27, 1944 and was the subject of a detailed reports about the fuel tanks, armament and protective armor, The team also noted the presence of bomb arming wires still attached.

References
Production Record of the Type 99 Assault / Recon Plane by Jim Long
Tuluvu's Air War Chapter X: The Aircraft of Tuluvu by Richard Dunn

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Last Updated
October 1, 2009