Mitsubishi Type 98 Reconnaissance Aircraft / C5M (Babs)
Type 97 Command Reconnaissance Aircraft / Ki-15 (Babs)
Technical Information

Background
Prewar civilian design, famous for making a flight from Tokyo to London with several refueling stops. In military service, used both the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) designated Type 98 Reconnaissance Aircraft / C5M / 九七式司令部偵察機 / Kyunana-shiki sireibu teisatsuki. In Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF) designated Type 97 Command Reconnaissance Aircraft / Ki-15. Both versions were code named "Babs" by the Allies.

Wartime History
During the Second Sinio-Japanese War and early months of te Pacific War used as a reconnaissance aircraft. Several were assigned to the 3rd Kōkūtai (3rd Air Group) and Tainan Kōkūtai (Tainan Air Group).

Production
50 built by Mitsubishi.

Technical Details
Crew  Two (Pilot, radio operator / observer)
Engines  One fourteen cylinder air-cooled radial with three bladed propeller
Span  12m
Length  8.7 m
Height  3.46m
Maximum Speed  199 mph
Range  725 miles
Armament  One flexible rear firing 7.7 mm machine gun
Bombload  250 kg (551 lb)