The Mitsubishi Ki-21, the Army Type 97 Heavy Bomber that the Allies code-named Sally and Gwen, was a twin-engine heavy bomber of the Imperial Japanese Army in the Second World War. It was built to a 1936 requirement to replace the Ki-20 and Ki-1, and beat Nakajima rival Ki-19 in a competition after both makers swapped engines. As an all-metal mid-wing monoplane with retractable landing gear, it flew first on 18 December 1936 and entered service in August 1938. It fought in China, at Nomonhan and across the early Pacific War, and late in the war flew commando raids on Okinawa. Production ended in September 1944 after 2,064 had been built.
Facts
Engine Class Top Speed (km/h) Comparison
Body StyleAircraft (no road body style) 1 Connections
Exemplifies
Source Mitsubishi Ki-21 (Wikipedia)
Of Make
Source Mitsubishi Ki-21 (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Mitsubishi Ki-21 (Wikipedia)
Lead
was a Japanese heavy bomber during World War II
Design and development, first flight
The first prototype flew on 18 December 1936
Design and development, production
Several improved versions followed before the production of the type ended in September 1944.
Design and development, production, units built
A total of 2,064 aircraft were built, 1,713 by Mitsubishi and 351 by Nakajima.
Specifications, maximum speed
Maximum speed: 485 km/h (301 mph, 262 kn)
Specifications, empty weight
Empty weight: 6,070 kg (13,382 lb)
Specifications, powerplant
1,100 kW (1,500 hp)
Specifications, powerplant, engine class
14-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine
Design and development
The Mitsubishi design was an all-metal mid-wing cantilever monoplane with retractable landing gear
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