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Mitsubishi Ki-67 Hiryu (Peggy)

1944 WORLD WAR 2

History

The Mitsubishi-designed Ki-67 Hiryu (translated to "Flying Dragon" by the Allies, nicknamed "Peggy" by the Allies) is often considered the best Japanese bomber deployed in WWII. The system is a twin-engine design with an array of defensive machine guns and cannons that can carry thousands of pounds of bombs or torpedoes over 1,700 miles.

Due to the continued bombardment of the Japanese mainland by the Allied forces, the production of the Ki-67 would never meet the standards desired and required by the Pacific Rim system.

The Ki-67 was built to 1940 specifications and did not enter service until around 1944. Originally designed for the anticipated war with the Soviet Union on Siberian territory, the Ki-67 was developed with several unique features that would move away from traditional Japanese aircraft production - most notably the use of self-sealing fuel tanks and armor to provide the crew with much-needed protection.

Two Mitsubishi Ha-104 series radial piston engines, each producing 1,900 horsepower, are mounted on the wing structure of the low-profile monoplane.

Crew quarters vary from 6 to 8 people depending on the mission role. Defensive emplacements consist of a nose-trainable 12.7mm machine gun, two 12.7mm hip gunner positions and a 12.7mm machine gun in the rear gunner position. In addition, a 20mm gun was mounted in the turret on the back of the hull.

In the traditional bomber role, the bomb bay can hold up to 1,764 pounds of dropped bombs. A 2,359-pound torpedo can also be installed in the anti-ship role.

In the more fearsome kamikaze role (to which the Ki-67 and its crew will be exposed until the end of the war), the internal weapons bay can hold up to 6,393 pounds of bombs.

The Ki-67 aircraft proved to be such a versatile platform that the Japanese Army ordered many variants for specific missions. Unfortunately, these requirements hampered the Ki-67 on the production line.

As the war progressed in favor of the Allies, requests were limited and the focus shifted to pure production of the already existing Hiryu models.

Ultimately, Allied bombing, delayed production lines, and the inevitable war of Imperial Japan ended the Ki-67. The system was reportedly very good, but fewer than 700 prototypes were produced during the war, too few to make an impact and perhaps turn the tide in the Empire's favor.