Nakajima Ki-49 'Helen' Units

The Nakajima Ki-49 Donryu, also known as "Helen," was a twin-engined Japanese bomber used in daylight attacks without escort fighters. It was heavily armed and armored, limiting its payload to smaller medium bombers. Over 800 Ki-49s were built and saw action in various theaters, including Burma, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, northern India, and north Australia. A few were even used as kamikaze aircraft against US Navy warships. This book provides a comprehensive account of the units that operated the 'Helen, featuring original Japanese sources, high-quality photographs, color profile artwork, official unit histories, and veteran accounts.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 25 May 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The Nakajima Ki-49 Donryu, also known as "Helen" by the Allies, was a twin-engined Japanese bomber designed for daylight attacks without escort fighter protection. Despite its official designation as the Army Type 100 Heavy Bomber, its formidable defensive armament and armor made it limited to smaller medium bomber payloads. While only five heavy bomber sentai (regiments) were equipped with the "Helen," over 800 aircraft were built between 1941 and 1944. They saw extensive action in various theaters, including Burma, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, northern India, and north Australia. In a desperate measure, a small number of "Helens" were even used as kamikaze aircraft against US Navy warships operating off the Philippines and Okinawa.

This captivating book, authored by Japanese aviation expert George Eleftheriou, offers a comprehensive account of the units that operated the "Helen." It includes original Japanese sources, high-quality photographs, specially commissioned color profile artwork, official unit histories, and veteran accounts. This title is a must-have for enthusiasts of Japanese aircraft.

Weight: 314g
Dimension: 184 x 248 x 9 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781472854490