Cadets of the Japanese army flying school studying the Kawasaki Ki-48 (Type 99) bomber at an airfield. The Allies had the codename for this aircraft - "Lily".

Flying school

Japanese bomber Mitsubishi Ki-67 "Hiryu" (classification by the allies" "Peggy"). - The Ki-67's performance was remarkable compared to US medium bombers; the Ki-67 had a level-flight top speed of 537 km/h/334 mph (against 443 km/h/275 mph for the B-25, 462 km/h/287 mph for the B-26, and 538 km/h/338 mph for the A-20), good manoeuverability in high-speed dives (up to 644 km/h/400 mph), excellent sustained rate of climb, and outstanding agility (excellent turn rate, small turn radius, and ability to turn at low speeds). 
 


Japanese bomber

Developed in response to a 1937 commission for a fast light bomber, the Ki-48 served in virtually all theatres of Japan's Pacific and Chinese wars.  Even in the improved II versions, the aircraft proved vulnerable to Allied fighters in the Pacific War, but could function reasonably effectively in small formations under heavy fighter escort.  As a result, the aircraft was produced into 1944, and examples of all marks and sub-marks (including the inferior Ki-48-1s) continued in frontline service until mid-late 1944.  Increasingly effective Allied fighter opposition resulted in instances of heavy losses (some virtual massacres), which prompted the Japanese to retire the aircraft from the front line; by that stage, the Ki-48, of whatever type, was distinctly obsolete.  The aircraft was then converted to Kamikaze use; it still seems to have required considerable fighter escort to have much chance of reaching its targets.  Best regards, JR.