Aircraft History
Built by Mitsubishi. Unknown if this aircraft was a Ki-51A reconnaissance version or Ki-51B assault version. Assigned to the Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF) as Type 99 Assault/Recon Plane / Ki-51 Sonia manufacture number unknown.

Wartime History
Assigned to the 73rd Dokuritsu Dai Shijugo Chutai (73rd Independent Flying Regiment). This aircraft was painted with mottled green upper surfaces and gray lower surfaces. No known markings or tail code.

Mission History
On July 28, 1944 took off with another Ki-51 Sonia pilot Shimada to search for a downed aircraft after escorting a convoy of ships transporting the Japanese Army 35th Division to Sorong. While returning to Amahai Airfield on Amahai Island near Ceram (Seram), the pair were intercepted by P-38 Lightnings from the 49th Fighter Group, 9th Fighter Squadron.

Attacked by the P-38s, both Sonias evaded their attacks until P-38 piloted by Lt Wade D. Lewis scored hits on the Ki-51 pilot Sgt Yokogi causing a fire and P-38 piloted by Lt. J. C. Haslip fired from the rear causing it to smoke and crash into the sea. Also shot down by Charles A. Lindbergh was Ki-51 Sonia pilot Shimada that also crashed into the sea.

References
Charles Lindbergh and the 475th Fighter Group