|
| |
From the very beginning, Japanese military aviation was split
under the direct command of the two main services, the Army and the Navy,
creating their own strategies and becoming hard competitors in the process. It
remained as such practically until the end of the Pacific War. Not surprisingly,
the Japanese Naval Air Force was influenced by Great Britain, while the Japanese
Army Air Force looked upon the major land powers of the time: France, Russia and
Germany.
Aircraft of the Japanese Airforce:
Mitsubishi A5M4
 |
Allied Code Name: Claude
Design Bureau: Mitsubishi Jukogyo K.K.
Manufacturer: Mitsubishi Jukogyo K.K.; K.K.
Watanabe Tekkosho; Dai-Nijuichi Kaigun Kokusho
Type: carrier-based fighter
Crew: one
Engine: one Nakajima Kotobuki 41 nine-cylinder
air-cooled radial engine, rated at 710 hp
Max speed: 270 mph at 9,845 feet
Max range: 746 miles |
Mitsubishi A6M5 Reisen
 |
Allied Code Name: Zeke
(a.k.a. Zero)
Design Bureau: Mitsubishi Jukogyo K.K.
Manufacturer: Mitsubishi Jukogyo K.K.; Nakajima
Hikoki K.K.
Type: carrier-based fighter
Crew: one
Engine: one Nakajima NK1F Sakae 21
fourteen-cylinder air-cooled radial engine, rated at 1,130 hp
Max speed: 351 mph at 19,685 feet
Max range: 1,194 miles
Service Ceiling: 38,520 feet
Dimensions: wingspan 36 feet, 1 inch; length 29
feet, 11 inches; height 11 feet, 6 inches
Weight: empty 4,136 lbs; loaded 6,025 lbs
Armament: two 7.7-mm Type 97 machine-guns mounted
above engine cowling; two wing-mounted 20-mm Type 99 cannons; external
bomb load 264 lbs |
Mitsubishi J2M3 Raiden
 |
Allied Code Name: Jack
Manufacturer: Mitsubishi Jukogyo K.K.
Type: single-seat interceptor
Crew: one
Engine: one Mitsubishi MK4R-A Kasei23a
fourteen-cylinder air-cooled radial engine, rated at 1,800 hp
Max speed: 365 mph at 17,390 feet
Max range: 1,180 miles
Service Ceiling: 38,385 feet
Dimensions: wingspan 35 feet, 5 inches; length 32
feet, 7.5 inches; height 12 feet, 11 inches
Weight: empty 5,423 lbs; loaded 7,573 lbs
Armament: two wing-mounted 20-mm Type 99 Model 2
cannons; two wing-mounted 20-mm Type 99 Model 1 cannons; external bomb
load up to 264 lbs |
Nakajima Ki-27b
 |
Allied Code Name: Nate
Design Bureau: Nakajima Hikoki K.K.
Manufacturer: Nakajima Hikoki K.K.; Mansyu Hikoki
Seizo K.K.
Type: light fighter
Crew: one
Engine: one Nakajima Ha-1b nine-cylinder
air-cooled radial engine, rated at 650 hp
Max speed: 292 mph at 11,480 feet
Max range: 1,060 miles
Dimensions: wingspan 37 feet, 1.25 inches; length
24 feet, 8.5 inches; height 19 feet, 8 inches
Weight: empty 2,447 lbs; loaded 3,946 lbs
Armament: two 7.7-mm Type 89 machine-guns mounted
in upper engine cowling; external bomb load up to 220 lbs |
Nakajima Ki-43-IIb Hayabusa
 |
Allied Code Name: Oscar
Design Bureau: Nakajima Hikoki K.K.
Manufacturers: Nakajima Hikoki K.K.; Tachikawa
Hikoki K.K.
Type: single-seat fighter-bomber
Crew: one
Engine: one Nakajima Ha-115 fourteen-cylinder
air-cooled radial engine, rated at 1,150 hp
Max speed: 329 mph at 13,125 feet
Max range: 1,990 miles
Service Ceiling: 37,400 feet
Dimensions: wingspan 35 feet, 6.75 inches; length
29 feet, 3.25 inches; height 10 feet, 8.75 inches
Weight: empty 4,233 lbs; loaded 5,644 lbs; maximum
6,746 lbs
Armament: two 12.7-mm Ho-103 machine-guns mounted
in upper engine cowling; external bomb load up to 1,102 lbs |
Nakajima Ki-44-IIb Shoki
 |
Allied Code Name: Tojo
Design Bureau: Nakajima Hikoki K.K.
Manufacturer: Nakajima Hikoki K.K.
Type: interceptor
Crew: one
Engine: one Nakajima Ha-109 fourteen-cylinder
air-cooled radial engine, rated at 1,450 hp
Max speed: 376 mph at 17,060 feet
Max range: 1,056 miles |
Nakajima Ki-84-Ia Hayate
 |
Allied Code Name: Frank
Design Bureau: Nakajima Hikoki K.K.
Manufacturer: Nakajima Hikoki K.K.; Mansyu Hikoki
K.K.; Tachikawa Hikoki K.K.
Type: single-seat fighter-bomber
Crew: one
Engine: one Nakajima Ha-45 eighteen-cylinder
air-cooled radial engine, rated at 1,800 hp
Max speed: 392 mph at 20,080 feet
Max range: 1,347 miles
Service Ceiling: 34,450 feet
Dimensions: wingspan 36 feet, 10.5 inches; length
32 feet, 6.5 inches; height 11 feet, 1.25 inches
Weight: empty 5,864 lbs; loaded 7,955 lbs; maximum
8,576 lbs
Armament: two 12.7-mm Ho-103 Type 1 machine-guns
mounted in upper engine cowling; two 20-mm Ho-5 cannons mounted in wings;
external bomb load up to 1,102 lbs |
Aichi D3A2
 |
Allied Code Name: Val
Design Bureau: Aichi Tokei Denki K.K.
Manufacturers: Aichi Kokuki K.K.; Showa Hikoki
Kogyo K.K.
Type: dive-bomber
Crew: two
Engine: one Mitsubishi Kinsei 54 fourteen-cylinder
air-cooled radial engine, rated at 1,300 hp
Max speed: 267 mph at 20,340 feet
Max range: 840 miles
Service Ceiling: 34,450 feet
Dimensions: wingspan 47 feet, 2 inches; length 33
feet, 5.5 inches; height 12 feet, 7.5 inches
Weight: empty 5,666 lbs; loaded 8,378 lbs |
Aichi D1A2
 |
Allied Code Name: Susie
Design Bureau: Aichi Tokei Denki K.K.
Manufacturer: Aichi Tokei Denki K.K.
Type: carrier-based dive-bomber
Crew: two
Engine: one Nakajima Hikari 1 nine-cylinder
air-cooled radial engine, rated at 730 hp
Max speed: 192 mph at 10,500 feet
Max range: 576 miles
Service Ceiling: 22,900 feet
Dimensions: wingspan 37 feet, 5 inches; length 30
feet, 6 inches; height 11 feet, 2 inches
Weight: empty 3,342 lbs; loaded 5,512 lbs; maximum
5,754 lbs |
Mitsubishi G3M2
 |
Type: land-based
long-range medium-bomber and torpedo-bomber
Crew: seven
Engine: two Mitsubishi Kinsei 45 fourteen-cylinder
air-cooled radial engines, each rated at 1,075 hp
Max speed: 232 mph at 13,715 feet
Max range: 2,722 miles
Service Ceiling: 29,950 feet
Dimensions: wingspan 82 feet; length 53 feet, 11.5
inches; height 12 feet, 1 inch
Weight: empty 10,936 lbs; loaded 17,637 lbs
Armament: one flexible 20-mm Type 99 Model 1
cannon mounted in dorsal turret; one 7.7-mm Type 92 machine-gun in
retractable dorsal turret; two flexible 7.7-mm Type 92 machine-guns in
lateral positions; one flexible Type 92 machine-gun fired from cockpit
windows; one 1,764 lb torpedo |
Mitsubishi G4M2a
 |
Type: twin-engined
medium bomber
Crew: seven
Engine: two Mitsubishi MK4T Kasei 25
fourteen-cylinder air-cooled radial engines, each rated at 1,825 hp
Max speed: 272 mph at 15,090 feet
Max range: 3,765 miles
Service Ceiling: 29,365 feet
Dimensions: wingspan 82 feet; length 65 feet, 7.5
inches; height 19 feet, 8 inches
Weight: empty 17,990 lbs; loaded 27,558 lbs
Armament: two 7.7-mm Type 92 machine-guns mounted
in the nose; one 20-mm Type 99 Model 2 cannon in dorsal turret; two 20-mm
Type 99 Model 2 cannons in waist positions; one 20-mm Type 99 Model 2
cannon in tail; one 1,764 lb torpedo or up to 2,205 lbs of bombs |
Nakajima B5N2
 |
Type: carrier-based
torpedo-bomber
Crew: three
Engine: one Nakajima NK1B Sakae 11
fourteen-cylinder air-cooled radial engine, rated at 1,000 hp
Max speed: 235 mph at 11,810 feet
Max range: 1,237 miles
Service Ceiling: 27,100 feet
Dimensions: wingspan 50 feet, 11 inches; length 33
feet, 9.5 inches; height 12 feet, 1.5 inches
Weight: empty 5,024 lbs; loaded 8,378 lbs; maximum
9,039 lbs
Armament: one flexible rearward-firing 7.7-mm Type
92 machine-gun mounted in rear cockpit; 1,764 lbs of bombs or one torpedo |
Nakajima B6N2 Tenzan
 |
Type: carrier-based
torpedo-bomber
Crew: three
Engine: one Mitsubishi MK4T Kasei 25
fourteen-cylinder air-cooled radial engine, rated at 1,850 hp
Max speed: 299 at 16,075 feet
Max range: 1,892 miles
Service Ceiling: 29,660 feet
Dimensions: wingspan 48 feet, 10.5 inches; length
35 feet, 7.75 inches; height 12 feet, 5.5 inches
Weight: empty 6,636 lbs; loaded 11,464 lbs;
maximum 12,456 lbs
Armament: one flexible rearward-firing 7.7-mm Type
97 machine-gun in rear cockpit; one flexible 7.7-mm Type 97 machine-gun
firing through ventral tunnel; 1,764 lbs of bombs or one torpedo |
Nakajima Ki-49-IIb Donryu
 |
Type: twin-engine
heavy bomber
Crew: eight
Engine: two Nakajima Ha-109 fourteen-cylinder
air-cooled radial engines, each rated at 1,500 hp
Max speed: 306 mph at 16,405 feet
Max range: 1,833 miles
Service Ceiling: 30,510 feet
Dimensions: wingspan 67 feet; length 54 feet, 1.5
inches; height 13 feet, 11.25 inches
Weight: empty 14,396 lbs; loaded 23,545 lbs;
maximum 25,133 lbs
Armament: one flexible 20-mm Ho-1 cannon mounted
in dorsal turret; one flexible 12.7-mm Ho-103 machine-gun mounted in nose,
ventral and tail positions; one flexible 7.7-mm Type 89 machine-gun in
port and starboard fuselage; maximum bomb load 2,205 lbs |
Yokosuka D4Y3 Suisei
 |
Type: carrier-based
dive-bomber
Crew: two
Engine: one Mitsubishi MK8P Kinsei 62
fourteen-cylinder air-cooled radial engine, rated at 1,560 hp
Max speed: 357 mph at 19,850 feet
Max range: 1,796 miles
Service Ceiling: 34,450 feet
Dimensions: wingspan 37 feet, 8.75 inches; length
33 feet, 6.5 inches; height 12 feet, 3 inches
Weight: empty 5,514 lbs; loaded 8,276 lbs; maximum
10,267 lbs
Armament: two 7.7-mm Type 97 machine-guns mounted
on engine cowling; one flexible rearward-firing 7.92-mm Type 1 machine-gun
mounted in rear cockpit; maximum bomb load (internal and external) 1,234
lbs |
Yokosuka P1Y1 Ginga
 |
Type: twin-engined
medium bomber
Crew: three
Engine: two Nakajima NK9C Homare 11
eighteen-cylinder air-cooled radial engines, each rated at 1,820 hp
Max speed: 340 mph at 19,355 feet
Max range: 3,338 miles
Service Ceiling: 30,840 feet
Dimensions: wingspan 65 feet, 7 inches; length 49
feet, 2.5 inches; height 14 feet, 1 inch
Weight: empty 16,017 lbs; loaded 23,149 lbs;
maximum 29,762 lbs
Armament: one flexible 20-mm Type 99 cannon
mounted in the nose; one flexible rearward-firing 20-mm Type 99 cannon
mounted in rear cockpit; one 1,764 lb torpedo or up to 2,205 lbs of bombs |
Aichi E13A1
 |
Type: reconnaissance
seaplane
Crew: three
Engine: one Mitsubishi Kinsei 43 fourteen-cylinder
air-cooeld radial engine, rated at 1,060 hp
Max speed: 234 mph at 7,155 feet
Max range: 1,298 miles
Service Ceiling: 28,640 feet
Dimensions: wingspan 47 feet, 7 inches; length 37
feet, 1 inch; height 24 feet, 3.5 inches
Weight: empty 5,825 lbs; loaded 8,025 lbs; maximum
12,192 lbs
Armament: one flexible rearward-firing 7.7-mm Type
92 machine-gun mounted in rear cockpit; up to 551 lbs of bombs or
depth-charges |
Kawanishi E7K2
 |
Type: reconnaissance
seaplane
Crew: three
Engine: one Mitsubishi Zuisei 11 fourteen-cylinder
air-cooled radial engine, rated at 870 hp
Max speed: 171 mph at 6,560 feet
Service Ceiling: 23,165 feet
Dimensions: wingspan 45 feet, 11 inches; length 34
feet, 5.5 inches; height 15 feet, 10.5 inches
Weight: empty 4,630 lbs; loaded 7,275 lbs
Armament: one forward-firing 7.7-mm Type 92
machine-gun; one flexible rearward-firing 7.7-mm Type 92 machine-gun
mounted in rear cockpit; one flexible downward-firing 7.7-mm Type 92
machine-gun mounted in bottom of rear fuselage; up to 264 lbs of bombs
mounted under wings |
Kawanishi H6K5
 |
Type: long-range
maritime reconnaissance flying-boat
Crew: nine
Engine: four Mitsubishi Kinsei 51 or Kinsei 53
fourteen-cylinder air-cooled radial engines, each rated at 1,300 hp
Max speed: 239 mph at 19,685 feet
Max range: 4,208 miles
Service Ceiling: 31,365 feet
Dimensions: wingspan 131 feet, 3.75 inches; length
84 feet, 1 inch; height 20 feet, 7 inches
Weight: empty 27,117 lbs; loaded 38,581 lbs;
maximum 50,706 lbs
Armament: one flexible 7.7-mm Type 92 machine-gun
in bow turret; one 7.7-mm Type 92 machine-gun in dorsal position; one
7.7-mm Type 92 machine-gun in port and starboard beam positions; one
flexible 20-mm Type 99 Model 1 cannon in tail turret; up to 2,205 lbs of
bombs or two torpedoes |
Kawanishi H8K2
 |
Type: long-range
maritime reconnaissance flying-boat
Crew: ten
Engine: four Mitsubishi MK4Q Kasei 22
fourteen-cylinder air-cooled radial engines, each rated at 1,850 hp
Max speed: 290 mph at 16,405 feet
Max range: 4,445 miles
Service Ceiling: 29,035 feet
Dimensions: wingspan 124 feet, 8 inches; length 92
feet, 4 inches; height 30 feet
Weight: empty 40,521 lbs; loaded 54,013 lbs;
maximum 71,650 lbs
Armament: one 20-mm Type 99 Model 1 cannon in bow,
dorsal and tail turrets; one 20-mm Type 99 Model 1 cannon in beam hatches;
one 7.7-mm Type 92 machine-gun in ventral, port, starboard and cockpit
positions; up to 4,408 lbs of bombs/depth charges or two torpedos |
Mitsubishi F1M2
 |
Type: reconnaissance
seaplane
Crew: two
Engine: one Mitsubishi Zuisei 13 fourteen-cylinder
air-cooled radial engine, rated at 875 hp
Max speed: 230 mph at 11,285 feet
Range: 460 miles
Service Ceiling: 30,970 feet
Dimensions: wingspan 36 feet, 1 inch; length 31
feet, 2 inches; height 13 feet, 1 inch
Weight: empty 4,251 lbs; loaded 5,622 lbs
Armament: two forward-firing 7.7-mm Type 97
machine-guns; one flexible rearward-firing 7.7-mm Type 97 machine-gun;
external bomb load 264 lbs |
Nakajima A6M2-N
 |
Type: float seaplane
fighter
Crew: one
Engine: one Nakajima NK1C Sakae 12
fourteen-cylinder air-coled radial engine, rated at 940 hp
Max speed: 271 mph at 16,405 feet
Max range: 1,107 miles
Service Ceiling: 32,810 feet
Dimensions: wingspan 39 feet, 4.5 inches; length
33 feet, 1.5 inches; height 14 feet, 1.25 inches
Weight: empty 4,235 lbs; loaded 5,423 lbs; maximum
6,349 lbs
Armament: two 7.7-mm Type 97 machine-guns mounted
above engine cowling; two wing-mounted 20-mm Type 99 cannons; external
bomb load of 264 lbs |
Kyushu Q1W1 Tokai
 |
Type: anti-submarine
patrol aircraft
Crew: three
Engine: two Hitachi GK2C Amakaze 31 nine-cylinder
air-cooled radial engines, each rated at 610 hp
Max speed: 200 mph at 4,395 feet
Max range: 834 miles
Service Ceiling: 14,730 feet
Dimensions: wingspan 52 feet, 6 inches; length 39
feet, 8 inches; height 13 feet, 6 inches
Weight: empty 6,839 lbs; loaded10,582 lbs; maximum
11,724 lbs
Armament: one flexible rearward-firing 7.7-mm Type
92 machine-gun mounted in rear cockpit; one or two forward-firing 20-mm
Type 99 cannons; up to 551 lbs of bombs or depth-charges |
Nakajima C6N1 Saiun
 |
Type: long-range
carrier-based reconnaissance aircraft
Crew: three
Engine: one Nakajima NK9H Homare 21
eighteen-cylinder air-cooled radial engine, rated at 1,990 hp
Max speed: 379 mph at 20,015 feet
Max range: 3,300 miles
Service Ceiling: 35,236 feet
Dimensions: wingspan 41 feet; length 36 feet, 1
inch; height 13 feet
Weight: empty 6,543 lbs; loaded 9,921 lbs; maximum
11,596 lbs
Armament: one flexible rearward-firing 7.92-mm
Type 2 machine-gun mounted in rear cockpit |
Nakajima J1N1-C Gekko
 |
Type: long-range
reconnaissance aircraft
Crew: three
Engine: two Nakajima NK1F Sakae 21
fourteen-cylinder air-cooled radial engines, each rated at 1,130 hp
Max speed: 329 mph at 19,685 feet
Max range: 2,348 miles
Service Ceiling: 33,795 feet
Dimensions: wingspan 55 feet, 8.5 inches; length
39 feet, 11.5 inches; height 14 feet, 11.5 inches
Weight: empty 10,697 lbs; loaded 15,190 lbs;
maximum 16,594 lbs
Armament: one rearward-firing flexible 13-mm Type
2 machine-gun mounted in rear cockpit |
Nakajima Ki-34
 |
Type: twin-engined
transport
Crew: three
Engine: two Nakajima Ha-1b nine-cylinder
air-cooled radial engines, each rated at 710 hp
Max speed: 224 mph at 11,025 feet
Range: 745 miles
Service Ceiling: 22,965 feet
Dimensions: wingspan 65 feet; length 50 feet, 2.5
inches; height 13 feet, 7.5 inches
Weight: empty 7,716 lbs; loaded 11,574 lbs
Armament: none |
Tachikawa Ki-9
 |
Type: basic trainer
Crew: two
Engine: one Hitachi Ha-13a nine-cylinder
air-cooled radial engine, rated at 350 hp
Max speed: 149 mph
Dimensions: wingspan 33 feet, 10 inches; length 24
feet, 8 inches; height 9 feet, 10 inches
Weight: empty 2,238 lbs; loaded 3,142 lbs
Armament: none |
Tachikawa Ki-17
 |
Type: trainer
Crew: two
Engine: one Hitachi Ha-12 seven-cylinder
air-cooled radial engine, rated at 150 hp
Max speed: 106 mph
Service Ceiling: 17,390 feet
Dimensions: wingspan 32 feet, 2.5 inches; length
25 feet, 7 inches; height 9 feet, 8 inches
Weight: empty 1,362 lbs; loaded 1,984 lbs
Armament: none |
Tachikawa Ki-36
 |
Type: army
co-operation and trainer aircraft
Crew: two
Engine: one Hitachi Ha-13a nine-cylinder
air-cooled radial engine, rated at 450 hp
Max speed: 217 mph at 7,220 feet
Max range: 659 miles
Service Ceiling: 26,900 feet
Dimensions: wingspan 38 feet, 8.5 inches; length
26 feet, 3 inches; height 11 feet, 11.25 inches
Weight: empty 2,848 lbs; loaded 3,794 lbs
Armament: one forward-firing 7.7-mm Type 89
machine-gun mounted in engine cowling; up to 330 lbs of bombs carried
externally |
Yokosuka B4Y1
 |
Type: trainer
(originally a carrier-based torpedo-bomber)
Crew: two
Engine: one Nakajima Hikari 2 nine-cylinder
air-cooled radial engine, rated at 840 hp
Max speed: 173 mph
Max range: 978 miles
Service Ceiling: 19,685 feet
Dimensions: wingspan 49 feet, 2.5 inches; length
33 feet, 3.5 inches; height 14 feet, 3.5 inches
Weight: empty 4,409 lbs; loaded 7,937 lbs
Armament: one flexible rearward-firing 7.7-mm Type
92 machine-gun mounted in rear cockpit; one 1,764 lb torpedo or 1,102 lbs
of bombs |
|
