Nakajima Ki-49 "Helen"

Nakajima Ki-49 "Helen"

Posted By: Greg Mizukami <gghgm@hotmail.com>

Date: Wednesday, 15 August 2001, at 2:50 p.m.

F.Y.I. Fuji Senkei News (via International Channel)ran another installment of a story re. the discovery of a Donryu. The video was quite spectacular. Also included was an interview with a former pilot who claimed to have flown a "special attack" version during the war. According to the story, the newly found Donryu was a "Kamikaze type" because of its armament. They seemed to dwell on the fact that it was equipped with a 13mm cannon. Later model Ki-49's all had them. I'm not certain where the aircraft is except to say it's under water, perhaps near Okinawa or Taiwan. It's intact and in fair physical condition. The veteran said that he participated in a mission with 8 other Donryus in an attempt to attack a group of US Navy ships. He was shot down before he reached his target and was also certain that all the others failed to hit their objectives as well. He said that the aircraft didn't handle well presumably due to their load of explosives. He didn't offer any explanation as to how he escaped being blown to bits upon ditching either. He was very intrigued to see the images of his old mount. Various other video clips were shown, some old, some not seen before. Fascinating stuff! Sorry I don't have more details, my Nihon-go is limited.

Re: Nakajima Ki-49-iib, Donryu (Helen)

Posted By: Joern Leckscheid <Joern.Leckscheid@t-online.de>

Date: Wednesday, 15 August 2001, at 3:30 p.m.

In Response To: Nakajima Ki-49-iib, Donryu (Helen) (Greg Mizukami)

thanks for sharing this excellent info with us. Was there any mention if it was planned to salvage the Donryu? After all, not a single one survived the war, so it would be a unique exhibit to any aviation museum, I suppose!

Re: Nakajima Ki-49-iib, Donryu (Helen)

Posted By: Greg Mizukami <gghgm@hotmail.com>

Date: Wednesday, 15 August 2001, at 4:28 p.m.

In Response To: Re: Nakajima Ki-49-iib, Donryu (Helen) (Joern Leckscheid)

I don't think that there are any plans to raise the Donryu at this time. It looks like it is fairly accessible though. Judging from the ambient light, I would guess it lies in relatively shallow water. It is heavily encrusted but largely intact. The dorsal turret still had the single 13mm cannon mounted. From my sketchy translation of the commentary, there are indeed few pilots left that flew these aircraft as well. The interviewed veteran showed some sort of roster of purported Donryu pilots and related as how he was the last living member of that group. He went on to state that he had to write a letter to the family of one of his comrades informing them of the death of their son. The said family still had the letter! It is my opinion that the powers that be in Japan are generally reluctant to recover artifacts connected to WW2. It's a pity because I believe more previously classified extinct aircraft could be found.

Posted By: Jim Broshot <jbroshot@fidnet.com>

Date: Saturday, 21 September 2002, at 11:06 p.m.

I visited the Nakajima history site (posted on the General List). In referring to the Nakajima Ki-49, "Donryu" is stated as "the name of a Buddhism priest."

In Beuschel's book, Donryu is translated as "Dragon Swallower" "after the name of a Shinto shrine in the Ota District close to the Nakajima facilities were the aircraft was produced."

Francillon in JAPANESE AIRCRAFT OF THE PACIFIC WAR, translates Donryu as "Storm Dragon."

So what is the correct translation of Donryu in this context?

Re: What is a "Donryu"?

Posted By: Sampon <Tatsinoue@aol.com>

Date: Wednesday, 25 September 2002, at 6:59 a.m.

In Response To: What is a "Donryu"? (Jim Broshot)

"Donryu" is indeed the name of a Buddhist priest(1556-1623), who was admired for aiding poor children. There is a Buddhist temple (not a Shinto shrine) Daiko-in built 1613 in the city of Ohta, Gunma Prefecture, alias Donryu-sama (Saint Donryu) after this priest. Ki-49 was named after this temple, since it was close to Nakajima Aircraft's factory.

Here's one more.

Posted By: richard dunn <rdunn@rhsmith.umd.edu>

Date: Sunday, 22 September 2002, at 5:49 a.m.

In Response To: What is a "Donryu"? (Jim Broshot)

"The name 'Donryu' (Dragon Eater) signifies the destruction of the American dragon." (The Mainichi, international edition, 19 Sept 1943).

Same edition also has a story on the Shoki (Type 100 recce, Ki 44 and Ki 49 were publically announced at the same time)and says: "As its name 'Shoki' (Destroyer of Devils) shows the plane personifies the power of destroying the diabolical enemy."

Whatever the actual origin of the name, the party-line at the time it was publically announced is pretty clear from the quote above.

Perhaps a philologist can get to the bottom of it.

Re: Here's one more.

Posted By: Mike Goodwin <Mike.Goodwin@bigfoot.com>

Date: Sunday, 22 September 2002, at 7:58 a.m.

In Response To: Here's one more. (richard dunn)

According to Bueschel's book, the Dragon in question was the Douglas B23 Dragon, which was the last US bomber for which the Japanese had access to public details.