#bomber

The Nakajima Ki-49 was developed in response to a 1938 Imperial Japanese Army Air Force (IJAAF) specification, which aimed to replace the Mitsubishi Ki-21 (Army Type 97 Heavy Bomber) that was just entering service with the 14th Sentai. The specification called for an aircraft that could operate without fighter escort, relying instead on its speed and heavy armament for protection.

For most of the major powers during World War II, fast twin-engine medium bombers were essential assets. Japan, however, did not field a comparable aircraft until 1944. That year, the Japanese Army introduced the Ki-67 Hiryū, while the Navy received the P1Y1 Ginga (Milky Way). The Ginga prototype first flew in the summer of 1943, and confidence in its design was so high that Nakajima, the primary manufacturer, bypassed extended testing and moved straight to mass production. By the end of 1943, 45 units were delivered, and production ramped up steadily, reaching 453 aircraft by October 1944, when the Navy officially accepted the design. However, the Ginga faced significant reliability and maintenance issues, leaving many aircraft unfit for operational use initially.