Mitsubishi Ki-51 Sonia by Clear Prop

1/72 scale
Kit No. CP72011
Price: $28.00
Decals: Four versions, all Imperial Japanese Army, in various Far East theatres
Comments: Crisply molded with engraved panel lines and recessed rivet detail; highly detailed cockpit; multi-part greenhouse canopy; separately mounted control surfaces

History

In December 1937, at the suggestion of Captain Yuzo Fujita, one of the Imperial Japanese Army’s leading flying officers, the Koku Hombu (Air Headquarters) issued to Mitsubishi a specification calling for a ground attack aircraft developed from their successful Ki-30 light bomber. Compared to the Ki-30 the new aircraft, designated Ki-51, was to be smaller and designed with an emphasis on maneuverability, armor protection, and the ability to operate from rough forward air fields near the front lines. The specifications were revised in February 1938 to include a maximum speed of 420 km/h at 2,000 meters (261 mph at 6, 650 ft.), loaded weight of 2,700 kg (5,952 lbs.), a powerplant consisting of one Mitsubishi Ha-26-II radial engine, bomb load of twelve 15 kg (33 lb.) bombs or four 50 kg (110 lb.) bombs, and armament consisting of one forward firing 7.7mm machine gun in each wing, and a third such gun on a flexible mount for the rear gunner.

The Ki-51 bore a close resemblance to the Ki-30, but although it was smaller it had a shorter cockpit, allowing better communication between the pilot and rear gunner, and featured a second, limited set of flight controls in the rear cockpit. There was no internal bomb bay and it carried ordinance on hard points fitted to the ventral surfaces of the wings, which were lowered to reduce the length of the undercarriage. The Ha-26-II engine had a tight cowling and drove a three-bladed propeller with a large spinner.

The first prototype was completed in June 1939. Between August and December 1939, a dozen more were built for service trials, incorporating modifications such as leading edge slats to improve low speed handling characteristics, and the addition of 6mm steel armor plate under the engine cowling and cockpit. Ki-51’s were also deployed with tactical reconnaissance equipment in the form of cameras that could be installed in the rear cockpit, allowing them to be quickly modified in the field for either tactical reconnaissance sorties or ground support missions. Entering service in 1940, the Ki-51 was designated the Army Type 99 Assault Plane. 1,459 machines were built between 1940 and 1944 when production ended; in that time the Ki-51 was only modified twice — once to install two 68-litre (17.96 U.S. gallons) wing leading edge fuel tanks, and the second time to replace the wing-mounted 7.7mm machine guns with more powerful 12.7mm machine guns.

After its operational debut in China, the Ki-51 (Sonia to the Allies) was deployed throughout the Pacific where it served with distinction. Despite its lackluster speed (topping out at 263 mph at 9,845 ft.) which made it easy prey for Allied fighters, it was well-liked by its crews for its armor protection, maneuverability, and the ease with which it could be flown and maintained. And true to its design specifications, it could operate from small airfields at or near the front lines. While always at a disadvantage against Allied fighters, in the hands of a skilled pilot, the Ki-51’s maneuverability alone could give Allied pilots in superior aircraft a run for their money. It was so successful that as late as 1944, a new assembly line was set up by the Tachikawa Dai-Ichi Rikugun Kokusho (First Army Air Arsenal at Tachikawa).

In the closing months of the war it was fitted with a 250 kg (551 lb.) bomb beneath the fuselage and assigned Kamikaze missions. After the Japanese surrender, several Ki-51’s found abandoned in Java and Sumatra were briefly used against the Dutch by the fledgling Indonesia Air Force.

The Kit

Clear Prop’s Ki-51 Sonia is injection molded in dark grey plastic and is presented on six sprues consisting of 170 parts, 17 of which are clear plastic for the windshield, greenhouse canopy, and two rather large ventral observation windows (paint masks are provided for the canopy). The cockpit is detailed to the degree that even the floor, like the external fuselage and wing surfaces, features engraved panel lines and recessed rivet detail. There are fairly large rectangular parts to be cemented to the fuselage interior for the extensive sidewall detail. The crew seats are detailed and consist of four parts each, with the pilot’s seat complemented by photo etch seat belts.

The main instrument panel is subtly detailed with both raised and recessed relief, and features the unusual option of either a decal, or a combination of a photo etch face with a film insert for the instrument dials. The same option is available for the simplified instrument panel in the rear cockpit. A control yoke and separately mounted, two-part rudder pedals round out the detailed interior nicely. Overall, the cockpit has a level of detail more often seen in 1/48 scale, and then only with certain manufacturers (Accurate Miniatures and Tamiya come to mind). The rear machine gun is highly detailed with separately mounted front and rear sights, drum magazine, pistol grip, and charging handle.

The radial engine consists of eight parts (11 if you count the cooling gills and exhaust collector ring), and will be covered by a three-piece cowl. In addition, there is a choice of spinners for the three-bladed propeller, and separately mounted rudder, ailerons and elevators. For offensive armament, modelers have a choice of either twelve 15 kg bombs (six each on two palettes, one palette under each wing) accompanied by one 50 kg bomb under each wing, or four 50 kg bombs, two under each wing. The 15 kg bombs are rather tiny and feature separately mounted photo etch bomb fins.

Markings

Color plates featuring three-view markings of each version provide a paint guide and assist with decal placement. Colors are identified by Mr. Color and AK Interactive paint numbers. Markings are provided for four versions of the Ki-51. The first is an aircraft of the 27th Hikosentai based in Burma in 1942, and is painted in a camouflage scheme of IJA Grey Green overall with IJA Green “scales” (IJA Green is a darker green sometimes called Mitsubishi Green), and individual spots of Propeller Color, a dark brown, within each individual scale — again with IJA Grey Green under surfaces, and looks rather like a reptilian or snakeskin scheme.

The second set of markings are for an aircraft of the 6th Hikosentai, based in Southern China in 1942, and is painted in a camouflage scheme of IJA Grey Green and with IJA Green splotches over IJA Grey Green under surfaces. The third and fourth versions both feature a scheme of overall IJA Grey Green. The third machine is with the 28th Hikosentai based in Manchuria in 1940-41, and the fourth machine is with Flying School Ibaraki based in Japan during 1942. Bonus markings are provided for more colorful tail markings, for modelers so inclined.

Conclusion

This is an exquisitely detailed kit of the Sonia that truly does justice to what was a major close support aircraft of the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II, clearly a quantum leap above the Mania kit first released in 1975. Highly recommended.

Reference

Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War by R.J. Francillon; Copyright 1970 by Putnam & Company Limited, London.