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| JAAF ? Sentai |
Aircraft History Built by Mitsubishi during the middle of January 1942. True serial number 693. Delivered to the Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF) as Type 97 Heavy Bomber / Ki-21-II Sally manufacture number 4262. Wartime History Assigned to an unknown Sentai. No known markings or tail code. This Sally had a a long operational life of 36 months (3 years) before it was lost. Mission History This Sally force landed or ditched into Lingayen Gulf off Binmaley sometime prior to January 9, 1945. Wreckage The wreckage of this aircraft was captured by the U.S. Army after their landing at Lingayen Airfield on January 9, 1945. Investigated by intelligence that noted the serial number as 4262 and was reported in Report No. 68, "Life of Japanese Combat Airplanes," 20 March 1945. Afterwards, the wreckage was abandoned. On July 7, 2005 rediscovered local fisherman from San Fabian who located the wreckage underwater approximately 20m from the beach in murky water. The same fisherman salvaged one of the engines using compressors on their fishing boats to dive to the wreckage. The fisherman also claimed to recover a rubber gas mask and a pelvic bone. These items were taken to Dagupan Police station. Others in Binmaley also claimed to have found remains including an arm bone. Afterwards, Dagupan Police SWAT team and environmental officials were dispatched to photograph and secure the wreckage and transported it to the Police Station at Binmaley. In the local newspapers, the aircraft was incorrectly reported as a "B-17" on July 10, 2005 and immediately controversy erupted over the ownership of the wreckage because it was located at the border between Dagupan and Binmaley. Justin Taylan visited the wreckage on July 11, 2005: "I inspected this wreckage on July 11th, four days after the discovery. The engine is a 14 cylinder radial, possibly Kasei Type 11 engine. It was in a remarkably preserved condition for being in salt water, with only a minimal of marine growth, and most of the cowling still intact. All the rubber was still present on the engine and wiring in good condition. The three propeller blades were only bent back slightly, and had faded yellow tips. It had been taken by a truck from the beach where it was salvaged, and taken to the Binmaley Police Station. A small sign nearby listed that this was an engine from an 'American Air Force Stealth Fighter Old Model'. I explained it was a wartime relic, most likely from 1945, and there was no 'treasure' aboard it, rather its value is as an Missing In Action crash site, and historical relic, and hope the site will get immediate action from the US or Japanese embassy. Currently, the bones are with the Dagupan City Police. On September 24th, I returned to dive the wreckage still in the water. The area is a hard sandy bottom. Wet season water conditions were very poor. One of the landing gear legs is visible from the surface on clear days, and sand seems to cover most of the wreckage." On July 11, 2005 Justin Taylan investigated the engine and identified it as being associated with a Japanese aircraft and during a session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, the wreck discovery was reported and discussed with Taylan who provided testimony. The story was also covered on ABS-CBN television news that same day. Jim Lansdale adds: "I believe that it is a crashed Sally investigated by US Intelligence after it was captured/recovered. There is no doubt your serial number is from a Japanese aircraft." Jim Long / AIR'TELL Publications & Research adds: "That the serial number appears in at least one Allied intelligence report. Report No. 68, "Life of Japanese Combat Airplanes," 20 March 1945. This report listed 301 Japanese aircraft of various models in order to support a study of how long they lasted in combat. The writers of this report got their data from other intelligence documents, such as reports of field inspections of crashed Japanese planes. I don't have a copy of any other reports associated with No. 4262, just this one listing in the cited report No. 68." [ Read Full Commentary ] Justin Taylan visited again on June 29, 2009: "I returned to Binmaley and met with Mayor Hon. Sunplicio L. Rosario, and presented to him a copy of our research on this aircraft. He explained, after a dispute was settled with neighboring Dagupan, the engine was purchased from the fisherman who salvaged it for approximately 100,000 Pesos (roughly $2,866 USD) to compensate them for their efforts. Presently, this engine is still in storage, but he plans to have it displayed at the town's museum in the near future." References Production Record for the Type 97 Heavy Bomber (Ki-21) (Sally) by James Long page 3, 5 Japanese Aircraft Makers' Plates and Markings Report No 68 (MP&M 68) "Life of Japanese Combat Airplanes," 20 March 1945 page 13, Appendix A - Army Bombers Sally 2 Thanks to Jim Lansdale and Jim Long for additional information Contribute
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