Mitsubishi Ki-51-ii Kai Tankbuster

[jcf]

Being aware of the Soviet tank threat in Eastern Siberia and the potential for an invasion of Manchuria, a handful of
farsighted Imperial Japanese Army Air Force officers asked Mitsubishi to develop an anti-tank aircraft. As time was of
the essence the Mitsubishi engineers decide to apply the work already done on the abortive Ki-71 project to a new
variant of the reliable Ki-51. As in the Ki-71 the Ki-51-II Kai used the 1,500hp Ha-112-II engine, but for the anti-tank
aircraft the engineers opted for the later ejector exhaust equipped version as used on the Ki-46-III. Unlike the Ki-71
the fixed landing gear of the Ki-51 was retained, the drag penalty being considered the lesser evil than the extra
weight of a retract system. The question of main armament was settled by a high level decision directing Mitsubishi
and the Nagoya Army Arsenal to produce copies of the Vickers 40mm 'S' guns that had been captured in Burma...
one of the few benefits to the Empire to come out of those battles. Being aware of the Soviet Il-2 success with
unguided rockets the IJA directed Mitsubishi to provision the Kai to carry two RS-82 clones on each wing. Knowing
that the aircraft would have to face Soviet fighter opposition and aware of the problems and relative ineffectiveness
of drum fed weapons the Arsenal and engineering teams decided to accept the weight penalties and equip the aircraft
with a new twinned flexible mounting of the Type 89 (Vickers) 7.7mm machine gun. The weight was somewhat
compensated for by the removal of all photographic equipment and mounting provisions.
The political decision was taken to introduce the aircraft into service with the puppet Manchouku Air Force, this
was an attempt to present any combat with an invading Soviet force as being a self-defense reaction by the
Manchurians. While wearing Manchouku insignia the aircraft were to be crewed by IJAAF personnel. Only two
aircraft were delivered prior to the cessation of hostilities.

Cheers, Jon

[jcf]

You cannot view this attachment.
Nichimo Ki-51 with kit cowling.

You cannot view this attachment.

Cuts made to allow the mounting of exhaust, engine and cowling assembly from Tamiya Ki-46.

Cheers, Jon

[jcf]

You cannot view this attachment.
Ki-46 engine assembly. It's a near perfect fit without any modification required to the Tamiya parts.
Its just pressed on in the photo.

You cannot view this attachment.
'S' guns from the Hasegawa Hurricane Mark IV 'Far Eastern' kit.

The RS-82 rockets and mounting rails are being donated from an Accurate Miniatures Shtormovik and the twin MGs for the rear gunner from an AMT A-20. The MGs will be slightly modified and will be belt fed.

The Manchouku markings will be from a Fine Molds Ki-43.

More progress shots later in the week.

Cheers, Jon

[Brian da Basher]

Woah Jon what a killer idea! So far it looks like it's coming along swimmingly! Did I read your wonderful backstory correctly? It seems you may have spats planned for this! Wow I can't wait to see more!

Brian da Basher

[jcf]

Thanks Brian.
Yep, she'll be stock Ki-51 from the cowl back so that means spatted gear.

Cheers, Jon

[cthulhu77]

Neat stuff !

[Brian da Basher]

Ooohhh nice spats!

I love spats!

Brian da Basher

[philp]

Jon,
The Sonia is looking nice.  Glad I sent it to you.
I love the idea of a tank buster (or is it a PT buster).