Mitsubishi Ki-21 "Sally"

Mitsubishi · Japan · first flew 1936 · bomber

The Mitsubishi Ki-21 was Japan's primary heavy bomber in the early years of the Second World War, serving extensively across the Pacific and Asian theatres. Known to the Allies by the reporting name 'Sally', it bore the brunt of IJAF strategic bombing campaigns.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Mid-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	2 × piston, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	16 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Twin-engine Japanese WWII heavy bomber
Glazed nose with prominent dorsal gun blister
Allied reporting name 'Sally'

A sleek, mid-wing twin-engine monoplane with tapered wings and a distinctive large dorsal gun blister amidships; the glazed nose and twin radial engines in smooth cowlings are key recognition points.

Specifications

The Mitsubishi Ki-21 has a length of 16 m (52 ft).
It has a wingspan of 22.5 m (74 ft).
Its maximum speed is 480 km/h (298 mph).
Typical crew: 5-7.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

First flown in December 1936, the Ki-21 won a competitive evaluation against the Nakajima Ki-19 to become the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force's standard heavy bomber. It saw combat in China before World War II and was present at the Pearl Harbor attack, the Malayan campaign, and Burma. By 1943 it was increasingly obsolete but continued in service due to production delays on successors.

Variants

The Ki-21-I was the initial production series; the Ki-21-II introduced more powerful engines and a revised greenhouse dorsal turret that replaced the original flush type. The Ki-21-IIb further refined defensive armament.

Where you'll see it

Served widely with the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force from China through the Pacific War, eventually transitioning to transport and training roles as more modern types arrived.

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