{"product_id":"mitsubishi-ki-51-sonia-aircraft-manuals-collection","title":"Mitsubishi Ki-51 “Sonia” Aircraft Manuals Collection","description":"\u003ch3\u003eA compact technical library for the Mitsubishi Ki-51 “Sonia”\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Mitsubishi Ki-51, known to the Allies by the reporting name \u003cstrong\u003e“Sonia”\u003c\/strong\u003e, was the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force’s Type 99 Assault Plane, also operated in a tactical reconnaissance role. Designed for close support, low-level battlefield work and operation from demanding forward airfields, the Ki-51 was a notably rugged aircraft, with fixed landing gear, outer-wing leading-edge slats and protection for its crew and vital systems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis focused three-document collection brings together Japanese-language operating and engine material with an English-language photographic reference. It is an excellent starting point for researchers studying the Ki-51’s machinery, maintenance practice, crew environment, production history and wartime appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCollection contents\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKi-51 Engine\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMitsubishi Ha-26, also identified as the Zuisei Model 11, Aircraft Engine Handling Instructions, \u003cem\u003e瑞星発動機一一型取扱須知\u003c\/em\u003e. Japanese language.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKi-51 Operating and Maintenance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKi-51 Type 99 Aircraft Instruction Manual, covering the Type 99 Army Reconnaissance Aircraft and Type 99 Assault Aircraft, \u003cem\u003e九九式軍偵察機 九九式襲撃機 説明書\u003c\/em\u003e. Japanese language.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKi-51 Slides, Photos and Brochures\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKi-51 Photographic Collection. English language, with visual reference material for identifying the aircraft, its details and its historical context.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat the technical material covers\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Ki-51 was derived from the Mitsubishi Ki-30 “Ann”, but redesigned around the realities of low-altitude assault operations. The move to a low-wing arrangement removed the internal bomb bay and created a more direct, robust landing-gear structure. Fixed tail-dragger undercarriage legs were enclosed in aerodynamic trouser fairings, trading some speed for durability and easier field servicing. Fixed leading-edge slats on the outer wing sections helped retain control during slow, tight turns close to the stall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePower came from the fourteen-cylinder, two-row, air-cooled Mitsubishi Ha-26-II radial, commonly associated with the Ha-31 or Zuisei 15 designation in variant references. The engine delivered approximately 950 horsepower at takeoff through a three-blade, constant-speed metal propeller. Baffled cooling and adjustable cowling gills supported sustained low-speed, high-power work, while the engine access arrangements were intended to make servicing practical with basic field equipment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike many lightweight Japanese combat aircraft, the Ki-51 incorporated meaningful protection for an aircraft expected to operate directly over the battlefield. Technical and engineering references describe armour around the engine sump, oil tanks and crew floor areas, together with a compact tandem cockpit arrangement that kept the crew close to the aircraft’s centre of gravity. The type was produced in assault and reconnaissance forms, with later changes affecting wing armament, camera installation and external ordnance arrangements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eReference specification\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWingspan:\u003c\/strong\u003e 12.10 m \/ 39 ft 8.5 in\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLength:\u003c\/strong\u003e 9.21 m \/ 30 ft 3 in\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2.73 m \/ 8 ft 11.5 in\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWing area:\u003c\/strong\u003e 24.02 m² \/ 258.5 sq ft\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEmpty weight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1,873 kg \/ 4,129 lb\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGross loaded weight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2,798 kg \/ 6,169 lb\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaximum takeoff weight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2,920 kg \/ 6,415 lb\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaximum speed:\u003c\/strong\u003e approximately 424 km\/h at 3,000 m \/ 263 mph at 9,845 ft\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCruising speed:\u003c\/strong\u003e approximately 320 km\/h \/ 200 mph\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eService ceiling:\u003c\/strong\u003e approximately 8,270 m \/ 27,130 ft\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOperational range:\u003c\/strong\u003e approximately 1,060 km \/ 660 miles\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eA rewarding addition to a serious aviation library\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOpen these documents together and the Ki-51 becomes more than a silhouette or a name in an aircraft register. The engine instructions reveal the practical heart of the machine; the operating and maintenance manual places the aircraft in the hands of its crews and ground personnel; and the photographic collection supplies the visual evidence needed to recognise fittings, finishes and configuration differences. For collectors of Japanese military aviation, researchers of the Pacific War and model builders looking beyond secondary summaries, this is a compact but unusually useful reference set.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTotal manuals: 3.\u003c\/strong\u003e No variant selection is required for this collection.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Online Aviation Library","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53963307352411,"sku":null,"price":30.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/4788\/3867\/files\/ki-51-sonia-banner.png?v=1788441815","url":"https:\/\/onlineaviationlibrary.com\/products\/mitsubishi-ki-51-sonia-aircraft-manuals-collection","provider":"Online Aviation Library","version":"1.0","type":"link"}