Nakajima Ki-49 Donryu

The Nakajima Ki‑49, nicknamed “Donryū” (Dragon‑Stream), was a twin‑engine heavy bomber developed by Nakajima Aircraft Company for the Imperial Japanese Army Air Service in the late 1930s. Intended to replace the outdated Ki‑21 “Sally,” the Ki‑49 first flew in March 1939 and entered operational service in 1941. Unlike earlier Japanese bombers, the Donryū emphasized structural strength and defensive firepower; it featured a fully enclosed cockpit, a reinforced wing design capable of carrying up to 1,000 kg of bombs, and a dorsal and ventral gun turret equipped with 12.7 mm machine guns. Powered by two Nakajima Ha‑5 radial engines delivering 1,500 hp each, the aircraft could reach a maximum speed of 460 km/h and a service ceiling of 9,000 m, giving it greater survivability over heavily defended targets. The Ki‑49 saw extensive action in China, the Pacific islands, and Southeast Asia, where its ability to operate at medium altitude made it a valuable asset for strategic bombing and supply missions. Although eventually outclassed by newer Allied fighters, the Donryū’s emphasis on durability and firepower influenced subsequent Japanese bomber designs and demonstrated Nakajima’s engineering adaptability during World War II.

Nakajima

Nakajima Ki-49 Donryu

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Design & Classification