Thanks to 'snautzer'
Kawasaki Ki 57 transport
In 1938, when the Ki-21 heavy bomber began to enter service with the Imperial Japanese Army, its capability attracted the attention of the Imperial Japanese Airways. In consequence a civil version was developed and this, generally similar to the Ki-21-I and retaining its powerplant of two 708 kW (950 hp) Nakajima Ha-5 KAI radial engines, differed primarily by having the same wings transferred from a mid to low-wing configuration and the incorporation of a new fuselage to provide accommodation for up to 11 passengers. This transport version appealed also the navy, and following the flight of a prototype in August 1940 and subsequent testing, the type was ordered into production for both civil and military use.
This initial production Ki-57-I had the civil and military designations of MC-20-I and Army Type 100 Transport Model 1, respectively. A total of 100 production Ki-57-Is had been built by early 1942, and small numbers of them were transferred for use by the Japanese navy in a transport role, then becoming redesignated L4M1. After the last of the Ki-57s had been delivered production was switched to an improved Ki-57-II, which introduced more powerful 805 kW (1,080 hp) Mitsubishi Ha-l02 14-cylinder radial engines installed in redesigned nacelles and, at the same time, incorporated a number of detail refinements and minor equipment changes. Civil and military designations of this version were the MC-20-II and Army Type 100 Transport Model 2, respectively. Only 406 were built before production ended in January 1945. Both versions were covered by the Allied reporting name "Topsy"
Below;
Japanese Army Air Force Nakajima Ki-49 Helen bomber at Japan in 1945. This Ki-49 is equipped with TAKI 1 radar antenna in the nose and wings.
Another Ki-49
Aichi E13A Jake seaplane at Ominato base, Hokkaido, 1945
C6N Myrt Saiun Recon Plane at USA in 1946.
Ki-48 Lily New Guinea 1943
Kawasaki Ki-45 'Dragonslayer' heavy fighters of the Japanese Army in 1945.
— Trev Clark's Obscure Aviation History Page . 🚁 (@clark_aviation) July 3, 2021
They are fitted with twin obliquely-firing 20 mm Ho-5 cannons, similar to the German Schräge Musik. However, ramming 'kamikaze style' attacks on US B-29 bombers by Ki-45s were also recorded. pic.twitter.com/rHAcvwQzVK
