Mitsubishi Ki-51 „Sonia“ – the Japanese diving bomber

The Mitsubishi Ki-51 (Army designation "Type 99 Assault Plane"; Allied nickname "Sonia") was a light bomber/dive bomber in service with the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. It first flew in mid-1939. Initially deployed against Chinese forces, it proved to be too slow to hold up against the fighter aircraft of the other Allied powers. However, it performed a useful ground-attack role in the China-Burma-India theater, notably from airfields too rough for many other aircraft. As the war drew to a close, the Japanese began using them in kamikaze attacks. Total production was around 2,385 units. On the day Hiroshima was destroyed by an atomic bomb, two Ki-51s were responsible for the last Japanese sinking of a US warship, sinking USS “Bullhead” (SS-332) with all hands. Charles Lindbergh, flying a P-38 Lightning, shot down a Ki-51.

The medium-sophisticated, well-detailed, well-designed colorful model for modelers of any experience. For beginners and inexperienced modelers alike, is recommended to assemble them under the supervision of a more experienced colleague and without cab equipment, with an opaque cab cover. And there is not much to simplify.