Mitsubishi transformed the Junkers G.38 airliner into the Mitsubishi Ki-20, a bomber aircraft that was used by Japan.
Under a licence from Junkers, Mitsubishi built a total of six planes, known as the Army Type 92 Heavy Bomber, which played a significant role in the 1930s.
As World War II progressed, the Ki-20 was utilised for various transportation and support operations.
In the late 1920s, Mitsubishi representatives in Germany expressed a strong interest in adapting the Junkers G.38 for military use.
The G.38 was the largest landplane in the world at that time, and Junkers was developing it.
Junkers had also designed a military bomber/transport, the K.51, based on the G.38, but this design was not approved by the Reichsluftfahrtministerium.
However, the K.51 design study caught the attention of Japan, leading to a licencing and manufacturing agreement.
Mitsubishi completed the first two Ki-20s in 1932, incorporating parts manufactured by Junkers.
Subsequent models, constructed between 1933 and 1935, included components manufactured by Mitsubishi.
The focus of the aircraft’s development was primarily on enhancing the engines to address the persistent issue of being underpowered.
Numerous enhancements were implemented on the engines over the course of these aircraft’s operational lifespan.
The original Junkers L88 engines were replaced with the more powerful Jumo 204 engines, which were also manufactured by Mitsubishi under licence.
Additionally, Kawasaki Ha-9 engines were used for experimental purposes.
The Ki-20s were initially developed by the Japanese during World War II with the specific purpose of targeting the forts protecting the entrance to Manila Bay in the Philippines and carrying out deep penetration missions into Siberia.
These aircraft were equipped with six-gun positions and had the capability to carry a bomb load of up to 5,000 kg (11,020 lb), making them the largest in the Imperial Japanese Army Air Service’s fleet.
Their existence was kept confidential until 1940.
It was only in 1940 that the Ki-20 aircraft were officially revealed and designated the out-of-sequence Kitai number ’20’.
These planes played a significant role in the military operations of the Imperial Japanese Army Air Service due to their size, firepower, and ability to carry heavy bomb loads.
The engine upgrades and experimental engine implementations further enhanced the performance and capabilities of these formidable aircraft.
2× 7.7 mm (0.303 in) machine guns in each of two upper wing turrets
1× 7.7 mm (0.303 in) machine gun in each of one lower wing turret
Bombs
Up to 5,000 kg (11,000 lb) bombs are carried externally.
Sources
Wings of the Rising Sun Uncovering the Secrets of Japanese Fighters and Bombers of World War II-Mark Chambers.
Japanese Imperial Army Navy Aircraft Color Markings-Koku Fan 42.
Japanese Code Names-Richard M Bueschel.
Japanese Aircraft-John Stroud.
Japanese Aircraft, 1910-1941-Robert Mikesh & Shorzoe Abe.
Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War-Rene Francillon.
Japanese Aircraft Interiors, 1940-1945-Robert C. Mikesh.
Japanese Aircraft Equipment 1940-45-Robert C Mikesh.
