Nakajima Ki.49-I Donryu Raid on Port Darwin 1942
Another dragon Slayer

Subject:: Nakajima Ki-49-I Donryu
大日本帝國陸軍航空部隊 (Imperial Japanese Army Air Service 1912-1945)
Hamamatsu Flying School
Shizuoka Hamamatsu AB
FS17178
Scale:: 1:72
Status:: Ideas
Started:: April 27, 2022

18 first production- type Helens took part in that event to evaluate their worth for combat as replacement for the Ki.21 Sally who also was involved in this campaign.

The Helens were NMF overall still wearing the markings of the Hamamatsu flying school.
Lack of engine power (1050HP each) and only slight improvement of speed and a poor bomb load showed off. Only the defense Armament has been reported as good by the japanese Pilots.

So the Type II got engine improvement and at June 1942 all type I Helens were sent back to Hamamatsu Flying School in Japan for eduacation dutys.