61st Hiko Sentai (61st Flying Regiment)
Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF)

Background
The 61st Hiko Sentai (61st Flying Regiment) in the Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF). Mitsubishi production delays prevented the equipping of the 61st Hiko Sentai with Type 97 Heavy Bomber / Ki-21 Sally until the end of 1939.

Wartime History
During the Pacific War based in the Celebes. Next, assigned to the 9th Hiko Dan (9th Air Brigade) with the 7th Hiko Sentai (7th Flying Regiment) and were the only units operating the Ki-49 Helen in the South-East Area. On June 20, 1943 flew a high altitude bombing mission against Winnellie near Darwin.

The 61st Hiko Sentai was assigned to 7th Flying Division in the Netherlands East Indies (NEI). The 61st Hiko Sentai and 7th Hiko Sentai (7th Flying Regiment) were the only units operating the Type 100 Donryu / Ki-49 Helen in the South-East Area, others were transport units.

During July 1943 transfered to New Guinea as part of the 7th Flying Division with the 7th Hiko Sentai assigned to the newly created 4th Air Army.

By April 1944 withdrawn due to losses and repalced by the 60th Hiko Sentai (60th Fiyling Regiment).

During May 1945 reformed in Japan equipped with the Ki-67 Peggy until the end of the Pacific War.

Markings
During 1938–1944 operating the Ki-21 Sally and Ki-49 Helen the first chutai had a thin diagonal yellow stripe on the tail. The second chutai had a thin diagonal blue stripe on the tail. The third chutai had a thin diagonal red stripe on the tail.

During 1945 the operating the Ki-67 Peggy the first chutai had a thick sideways A in white on the tail. The second chutai had a thick sideways A in blue on the tail. The third chutai had a thick sideways A in red on the tail.

References
Emblems of the Rising Sun page 30 (61st Sentai)

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