Mitsubishi Ki-47 Faye

[comrade harps]

Only recently discovered, these are the only known photographs of the Mitsubishi Ki-47 fixed undercarriage prototype in its original roll-out paint scheme, in February 1939.



After the Imperial Japanese Army ordered the Ki-30 light bomber from Mitsubishi in 1936, the company began planning a successor.  In June 1937, this was ordered as the Ki-47. However, in December a new specification was issued which called for a smaller machine capable of operations from small airstrips closer to the front lines. With the ordering of the Mitsubishi Ki-51 to fulfil this role, the Ki-47 was recast as a trails platform with just two prototypes. One was to be built with fixed landing gear and the other with a retractable undercarriage for comparison. For security reasons, the two designs shared the same designation.



By the time the first prototype (with fixed landing gear and the rear seat area blanked off) made its first flight in February 1939, the Ki-47 project had taken on a new dimension. During 1938, the IJA decided to use the Ki-47 as a propaganda and mis-information tool. To this end, all published photographs of the prototypes were carefully framed, tightly cropped and re-touched so as to omit the differences in land gear. Following their uneventful flight trails, both aircraft had mock defensive and offensive armament installed, were camouflaged and had combat unit markings applied. A series of photographs were released depicting in-service scenes, giving the appearance that the Ki-47 was in mass production. Japanese magazines ran the photos, which were re-published in foreign aviation journals and the Ki-47 entry in the Janes All World Aircraft of 1940 reported that the type was in service. Following Pearl Harbour, Allied airmen reported contact with the Ki-47 and the Americans assigned it the code name Faye. It wasn't until late 1943 that the Ki-47 was omitted from Allied recognition publications and the name withdrawn. Until 1948 all published depictions of the Ki-47 assumed a retractable undercarriage.

The only photographs of the two prototypes available until now were those which were published. These images fail to reveal the tail codes of the aircraft whilst they were in prototype orange. Although by regulation they should have been applied, it is unknown for certain what if any coding existed. Indeed, post-war several Mitsubishi staff said that no tail codes were worn. These recently discovered images prove that, at least for the aircraft with the fixed undercarriage, that no tale codes had been applied at roll-out.



The life of the two aircraft is also shrouded in some mystery. Post war Allied intelligence was unable to account for the fate of first prototype, other than to note that it was with Mitsubishi on unspecified trails work at least until September 1943. Mitsubishi employees recall it being used as a chase plane and company hack until it was damaged in a landing accident in early 1944. The second prototype, the one with the retractable undercarriage, was employed during 1942 on overseas propaganda and mis-information deployments and was seen China, Indo-China, the Philippines and Malaya. During this tour it was photographed wearing several temporary paint schemes, with different camouflages and unit markings. In 1943 it was fitted with an enlarged oil tank and extra internal and external fuel tanks for long range trails.  On 14 November, 1943, it was lost without trace during a test flight to Formosa.

[pyro-manic]

Very nice! I'm not really familiar with Japanese aircraft - what's this based on? Do you have some colour and in-progress photos?

[comrade harps]

It's actually a Sukhoi Su-2 with a Japanese make-over. I just thought the Su-2 looked rather Japanese.

The Ki-47 was an unbuilt Mitsubishi attack aircraft project, but I don't know anymore about it than that, so I just made up a story.

[GTX]

 

[pyro-manic]

Excellent. It certainly looks Japanese to me!

[sideshowbob9]

Smart!

[Taiidantomcat]

Excellent. It certainly looks Japanese to me!

Agreed! Wow 

[Sturmbock]

Coolness!
Is that a Fokker D XXI undercarriage you used there?