Sakura-dan used: effectiveness?

wikipedia said:
Ki-167 "Sakura-dan": Special attack version equipped with one thermite bomb of 2,900 kg (6,400 lb) in the fuselage behind the crew cabin. The shape of the bomb conducted the blast forward, projecting a jet capable of reaching nearly a mile with a maximum blast radius of 300 m (980 ft). The bomb was designed to breach emplacements as well as to destroy massed formations of armor. 2 produced.

Let's say that the Empire of Japan manages to produce more than two of these, and produces them early enough to see use. Let us say that it is used at Okinawa. Obviously, nothing can change the course of the war at this point, but still, how effective is it?

Unlike a lot of Japanese bombers, the Ki-67 had self-sealing fuel tanks and armor, so it should prove harder to destroy before it reaches its target. If some are lucky enough to get through, what happens? Can it kill groups of infantry? Can it be used for anti-ship strikes? How do US tactics change in response?
 

CalBear

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Well, the plane, which wasn't a bad design , would have been massively over loaded (the weapons load is 90% over normal max design), even with a reduced crew. The only way for it to get off the ground would be to strip off the armor and guns, even then it would be slow and limited in altitude.

It was apparently meant to be an anti-armor weapon or for use against ground emplacements (Lord knows why...). As far as effectiveness, it would be a sitting duck, but if it managed to get through (which was far more difficult for a large twin engined aircraft than smaller planes with smaller radar returns or the nearly invisible old trainers made of wood) and hit a ship it would be utterly devastating.

The problem, of course is the pre-conditions necessary to make the scenario viable. If Japan had the time to build them in number, they Japanese would also have had the time to do something besides throw away their best and bravest.
 
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