The Ki-21 pre-production bomber made its first flight in late 1936. Series production of its first modification, the Ki-21-Ia, began in 1938, the same year the aircraft made its combat debut. Imperial Japanese Army air units equipped with the Ki-21-Ia participated in active combat operations in China. In the spring of 1939, the Ki-21-Ia took part in combat operations against the Red Army on the Halhin Gol River. The aircraft’s 1,000 kg combat load capacity was a remarkable indicator for its time and allowed for massive bombing raids. The defensive tactics developed by the pilots of these bombers in air battles resulted in relatively low losses compared to other types of aircraft. After more advanced models were produced, the bombers of the first modification were transferred to training units, although a number of Ki-21-Ia continued to be operated by fighter units. U.S. pilots, who assigned proper names to Japanese aircraft, referred to Ki-21 bombers as “Sally.”
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