The Ki-51 was designed as a replacement for the similar Ki-30.
Unlike the Ki-30, however, it carried it's bomb load externally, which
allowed the gunner/observer position to be moved up closer to the
pilot. It first saw action in China and proved to be an effective
ground attack plane, provided it didn't have to face modern Allied
fighters. It was produced throughout the war, but in the end was used
in kamikaze attacks with a 882-lb bomb load.
Some 2,385 Ki-51's were built. Crew consisted of a pilot and
gunner/observer.
The Ki-51 uses 31.6 gallons of aviation fuel per hour.
Army Type 99 Assault Plane
Subassemblies: Heavy Fighter Chassis +3, Medium Fighter Wings
w/STOL option +2, three
fixed Wheels +0
P&P: 701 kW aerial HP gasoline engine w/701-kW aerial
propeller, 96 gallon standard tanks [Wings]
Occ: 2
CS
Cargo: 5 Body
Armor
All: 2/3
Wheels: 3/5
Pilot: F 0/+30
Weaponry
2*Medium Aircraft HMG/Ho-103 [Wings:F] (200 each)*
Aircraft LMG/Type 92 [Body:R] (582)
441-lb bomb [Body:U]
* Linked to fire together
Equipment
Body: medium range radio receiver and transmitter, navigational
instruments, 441-lb hardpoint.
Statistics
| Size: 30'x40'x9' | Payload: 0.76 tons | Lwt: 3.1 tons |
| Volume: 224 |
Maint.: 47 hours | Price: $18,300 |
HT: 12
HP: 260 [body], 105 [each wing], 24 [each wheel]
| aSpeed: 263 | aAccel: 7 |
aDecel: 24 |
aMR: 6 |
aSR: 2 | Stall: 55 mph |
Design Notes
Design speed was 270 mph. The historical value has been used, as well
as historical wing area (259). Loaded weight and performance statistics
assumes one 441 lb bomb. Loaded weight was increased by 1.5%.
Variants:
The Ki-51a was a reconaissance prototype.
Early versions mounted Type 92 (Aircraft LMGs) in the wings with 500
rounds per gun..
The Ki-30 "Ann" (1937) was similar in game terms, but used larger
wings (STOL Heavy Fighter divided by 2, HP 120). It mounted only a
single Type 97 MG in the wing and carried 882 pounds of bombs
internally.