Mitsubishi Ki-57 "Topsy"

Mitsubishi · Japan · first flew 1940 · transport aircraft

The Mitsubishi Ki-57 (Allied reporting name 'Topsy') was a twin-engine military transport developed from the Ki-21 medium bomber for the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force. It served as the primary Japanese military passenger transport throughout World War II.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Low-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	2 × piston, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	Glazed nose and circular windows along fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Japanese twin-engine military transport derived from Ki-21 bomber
Low-wing monoplane with retractable undercarriage
Glazed nose and circular windows along fuselage

A clean twin-engine low-wing transport resembling its bomber Ki-21 sibling but with a more rounded fuselage cross-section and passenger windows — the circular portholes are distinctive.

Specifications

The Mitsubishi Ki-57 has a length of 16.1 m (53 ft).
It has a wingspan of 19.97 m (66 ft).
Its maximum speed is 470 km/h (292 mph).
Typical crew: 4 + 11 passengers.

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

History

First flown in 1940, the Ki-57 entered IJAAF service and became the standard transport for VIP and troop movements, including the aircraft that carried Japanese surrender delegates in 1945. It also flew with the civilian airline Dai Nippon Koku as the MC-20.

Variants

The Ki-57-I used Mitsubishi Ha-26-I engines; the Ki-57-II introduced more powerful Mitsubishi Ha-102 engines for improved performance at altitude.

Where you'll see it

Served throughout the Pacific theatre with the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force; civil examples flew with Dai Nippon Koku on domestic and regional routes.

Related aircraft

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