------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Version of 31 March 1995 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ --0--------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1MF1, Mitsubishi Prototype of the 1MF4. Type: 1MF1 Function: Year: 1923 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 300hp Hispano-Mitsubishi Speed: 237km/h Ceiling: Range: 2h 30m Armament: 2*mg 1MF2, Mitsubishi Prototype of the 1MF4. 1MF3, Mitsubishi Prototype of the 1MF4. 1MF4, Mitsubishi (Naval Type 10 Carrier-borne Fighter) This biplane fighter was developed for Mitsubishi by an invited team of former Sopwith engineers. The 1MF4 was the first production version, a conventional biplane that entered service in 1923. 1MF5, Mitsubishi Fighter-trainer development of the 1MF4 with increased wing span. Total production of the 1MF1-5 series was 128. Type: 1MF5 Function: fighter - trainer Year: 1923 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 220kW Hispano-Suiza V-8 Speed: 213km/h Ceiling: Range: 2h 35m Armament: 2*mg7.7mm 1MF9 Taka, Mitsubishi Biplane carrier fighter. The 1MF9 had a watertight fuselage and wing leading edges, for emergency landings on the water. The Navy selected the Nakajima A1N (license-built Gloster Gambet) for its requirement. Two built. Type: 1MF9 Function: fighter Year: 1927 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 440kW Hisapno-Suiza Speed: 245km/h Ceiling: Range: 3h 30m Armament: 2*mg7.7mm 2*b30kg 1MF10, Mitsubishi Low-wing monoplane fighter. Not built. --A-------------------------------------------------------------------------- A1N, Nakajima (Type 3 Carrier-borne fighter) License-built Gloster Gambet biplane fighter. Type: A1N1 Function: fighter Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * Bristol Jupiter VI Speed: 218km/h Ceiling: 7000m Range: 3h 15m Armament: 2*mg7.7mm 4*b9kg A2N, Nakajima (Type 90 Carrier-borne Fighter) The A2N biplane fighter was based broadly on Boeing designs. 106 built. Type: A2N1 Function: fighter Year: 1932 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 330kW Bristol Jupiter VI Speed: 293km/h Ceiling: 9700m Range: 640km Armament: 2*mg7.7mm A3N, Nakajima Two-seat trainer development of the A2N. 66 built. A4N, Nakajima Biplane fighter, an interim type pending introduction of the A5M. 221 built. Type: A4N1 Function: fighter Year: Crew: 1 Engines: Speed: 352km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: A5M, Mitsubishi 'Claude' (Naval type 96 Carrier-borne Fighter) This was the first monoplane fighter of the IJN. A cantilever monoplane with fixed landing gear and open cockpit (pilots rejected an enclosed one). The A5M performed well in the wars against China and the USSR and was stilt the numerically most important Navy fighter in 1941. 1094 built. Type: A5M4 Function: fighter Year: 1938 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 580kW Nakajima Kotobuki 41 Speed: 435km/h Ceiling: 9800m Range: 1200km Armament: 2*mg7.7mm 2*b30kg A6M Reisen, Mitsubishi 'Zeke' (Naval Type 0 Carrier-borne fighter) The A6M came as a shock to the allied in 1941 -- this despite earlier reports of its appearance in China. For the first time, a carrier fighter had been built that outperformed landplanes. The A6M was fast, extremely maneuvrable, and had an impressive endurance. This performance had been achieved by the light construction of the aircraft, and this was the undoing of the type when more powerful allied fighters appeared. Development was unable to keep up with the exigencies of the time, and most of the 10964 built had to fight an increasingly superior opposition. Type: A6M2 Function: fighter Year: 1940 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 925hp Nakajima Sakae 12 Speed: 509km/h Ceiling: 10300m Range: 3110km Armament: 2*g20mm 2*mg7.7mm Type: A6M3 model 32 Function: fighter Year: 1940 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 820kW Nakajima NK1F Sakae 12 Speed: 545km/h Ceiling: 11000m Range: 2380km Armament: 2*g20mm 2*mg7.7mm 2*b60kg Type: A6M8c Function: fighter Year: 1945 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 1560hp Mitsubishi Kinsei 62 Speed: 580km/h Ceiling: 12000m Range: Armament: 2*g20mm 2-3*mg13.2mm 2*b60kg A6M, Nakajima 'Rufe' (Naval Type 2 Floatplane Fighter) Floatplane version of the A6M, intended for amphibious operations. Of course performance suffered, and the A6M-2N was only used for defensive operations and training. 327 built. Type: A6M2-N Function: fighter Year: 1942 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 730kW Nakajima Sakae 12 Speed: 435km/h Ceiling: 10000m Range: 1780km Armament: 2*g20mm 2*mg7.7mm 2*b60kg A7M Reppu, Mitsubishi 'Sam' This replacement for the venerable A6M was delayed by lack of interest, a disagreement between designer and customer concerning the engine, an earthquake, the breakdown of the Japanese industry, and the bombing of the factories. Ten built. Type: A7M2 Function: fighter Year: 1945 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 1620kW Mitsubishi MK9A Speed: 627km/h Ceiling: 10900m Range: 1160km Armament: 4*g20mm 2*b250kg A8V, Seversky 'Dick' (Navy Type S two-seat fighter) This was a US-built two-seat monoplane fighter, developed from the single-seat P-35 built for the USAAC. Japan bought 22, that were used in China, but phased out of service before the Pacific war began. AB-2, Aichi Two-seat biplane. AB-3, Aichi Reconaissance floatplane. Type: AB-3 Function: reconaissance Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 110kW Jimpu Speed: 194km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: AB-4, Aichi Night reconaissance flyng boat. Six built. Type: AB-4 Function: reconaissance Year: 1932 Crew: Engines: 1 * 330kW Napier Lion Speed: 164km/h Ceiling: Range: 11h Armament: 1*mg 34kg AB-5, Aichi Development of the Heinkel HD-62. AB-6, Aichi Development of the Heinkel HD-62. Reconaissance. AB-7, Aichi Reconaissance floatplane. Biplane. AB-9, Aichi See D1A. This was the D1A1. AB-10, Aichi See D1A. This was the D1A2. AB-11, Aichi Biplane dive bomber with retractable landing gear. AB-12, Aichi See E10A. AB-13, Aichi Observation. AB-14, Aichi See E11A. Aichi Type 2 Reconaissance Seaplane. License-built Heinkel HD-25 reconaissance seaplane. 16 built. 1926. AM-7, Aichi Float monoplane. AM-10, Aichi Floatplane. AM-15, Aichi Type: AM-15 Function: fighter Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 425kW Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: AM-16, Aichi High-wing flying boat. AM-17, Aichi See D3A. AM-19, Aichi See E13A. AM-21, Aichi See H9A. AM-22, Aichi See E16A. AM-23, Aichi See B7A. AM-24, Aichi See M6A. AN-1, Nakajima See Ki-11. Asuka, Kawasaki-NAL Experimental STOL transport. One built, a conversion of the Kawasaki C-1. Type: Asuka Function: experimental Year: 1985 Crew: 10 Engines: 4 * 4795kg MITI/NAL FJR710/600 5 Speed: 482km/h Ceiling: 8535m Range: 1335km --B-------------------------------------------------------------------------- B1M, Mitsubishi About 450 built. Type: B1M Function: torpedo bomber Year: 1924 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 330kW Napier Lion Speed: 209km/h Ceiling: Range: 370km Armament: 2-4*mg7.7mm 485kg B2M, Mitsubishi Biplane torpedo bomber, designed by Blackburn for the Japanese Navy. The B2M was less ugly than was common for Blackburn designs, but had a impressive array of struts and bracing wires. 108 built. Type: B2M Function: torpedo bomber Year: 1932 Crew: 3 Engines: 1 * 445kW Mitsubishi-Hispano Suiza Speed: 215km/u Ceiling: 4400m Range: 1170km Armament: 2*mg7.7mm 800kg B3Y, Yokosuka The B3Y was an obsolete design, put into production after other prototypes for the dive-bombing role had been rejected. 130 built. Type: B3Y1 Function: torpedo bomber Year: Crew: Engines: 1 * 440kW Type 91 Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: B4Y, Yokosuka 'Jean' (Naval Type 96 Carrier-borne attack bomber) Biplane bomber. Used in the war against China. At the time of Pearl Harbour the light carrier Hosho still carried a B4Y unit. 205 built. Type: B4Y1 Function: torpedo bomber Year: 1935 Crew: 3 Engines: 1 * 620kW Nakajima Hikari 2 Speed: 278km/h Ceiling: 6000m Range: 1475km Armament: 1*mg7.7mm 800kg B5M, Mitsubishi 'Mabel' or 'Kate 61' (Naval Type 97 Carrier-brone attack bomber) Torpedo bomber with fixed landing gear, built as a backup for the B5N. 125 built. Type: B5M1 Function: torpedo bomber Year: 1941 Crew: 3 Engines: 1 * 735kW Mitsubishi Kinsei 43 Speed: 380km/h Ceiling: Range: 3500km Armament: 1*mg7.7mm 800kg B5N, Nakajima 'Kate' (Naval Type 97 Carrier-borne Attack Bomber) The B5N was an advanced and daring design when in appeared in 1937. As torpedo bomber may have been obsolescent in 1941, but it was not more so than the U.S. built TBD or the British Swordfish, and it contributed to the sinking of many Allied ships. Used until 1944. About 1150 built. Type: B5N2 Function: torpedo bomber Year: 1939 Crew: 3 Engines: 1 * 730kW Nakajima Sakae 11 Speed: 377km/h Ceiling: 8250m Range: 1990km Armament: 1*mg7.7mm 800kg B6N Tenzan, Nakajima 'Jill' The clean, conventional-looging B6N was in some respects superior to the US TBF or the British Barracuda. They went into action in June 1944, when Japan had no carriers left and hardly any pilots. 1268 built. Type: B6N2 Function: torpedo bomber Year: 1943 Crew: 3 Engines: 1 * 1360kW Mitsubishi Kasei 25 Speed: 481km/h Ceiling: 9040m Range: 3050km Armament: 2*mg7.7mm 800kg B7A Ryusei, Aichi 'Grace' Despite its size, the B7A had a speed and maneuvrability equal to that of the A6M. When it entered service, all Japanese carriers had been sunk, so it only operated from land bases. 114 built. Type: B7A2 Function: torpedo bomber Year: 1944 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 1360kW Nakajima NK9C Homare 12 Speed: 566km/h Ceiling: 11250m Range: 3040km Armament: 2*g20mm 1*mg7.92mm 860kg Beechjet 400 See T-1. BAe 125, British Aerospace This business jet has been selected to replace the MU-2 in the SAR role, but later there was political pressure from the US to buy an US-built aircraft. Baika, Kawanishi Single-seat suicide aircraft. The Baika was a low-wing monoplane, with a pulse-jet engine attached to the tailfin and a pylon behind the cockpit. The wheels were dropped after take-off. Not built. Type: Baika Function: suicide attack Year: 1945 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 318kg Maru Ka-10 Wing Span: 6.48m Length: Height: 6.88m Wing Area: Empty Weight: Max.Weight: 1260kg Speed: 736km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 220kg Boeing 767 The JASDF ordered an AWACS development of the 767. B.R.20 Cicogna, Fiat About 85 of this Italian bomber were ordered by the Army, that was waiting for the Ki.21. The B.R.20 entered service in 1938, but losses were high and the aircraft was quickly replaced. Type: B.R. 20M Function: bomber Year: 1936 Crew: 5 Engines: 2 * 740kW Fiat A.80 RC41 Speed: 430km/h Ceiling: 6750m Range: 2000km Armament: 4*mg7.7mm 1600kg --C-------------------------------------------------------------------------- C-1, Kawasaki Jet-engined STOL transport aircraft. 31 were built for the JASDF. One was modified as ECM aircraft. Type: C-1 Function: transport Year: 1975 Crew: 5 Engines: 2 * 64.5kN P&W JT8D-M-9 Speed: 806km/h Ceiling: 11580m Range: 3350km Load: 11900kg C5M, Mitsubishi 'Babs' (Naval Type 98 Reconaissance Aircraft) Navy version of the Ki.15, used before and during the first year of WWII. Type: C5M2 Function: reconaissance Year: 1940 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 700kW Nakajima Sakae 12 Speed: 487km/h Ceiling: 9580m Range: approx. 1500km Armament: 1*mg C6N Saiun, Nakajima 'Myrt' The need for a high-speed carrier based reconaissance aircraft was unique and reflected the increasing Allied air superiority. The C6N was an advanced design, with a small laminar flow-wing with extensive flaps and slats. The operational need disappeared when the carriers were sunk, and some C6N's were converted to night fighters. 463 built. Type: C6N1 Function: reconaissance Year: 1944 Crew: 3 Engines: 1 * 1460kW Nakajima Homare 21 Speed: 610km/h Ceiling: 10500m Range: 5310km Armament: 1*mg7.92mm C-130 Hercules, Lockheed Japan is one of the many users of this US-built transport aircraft. Initial buy was 15. --D-------------------------------------------------------------------------- D1A, Aichi 'Susie' (Naval Type 94 (D1A1) and 96 (D1A2) carrier bomber) This was based on the Heinkel HD-66, a dive bomber version of the He 50. The D1A's most famous attack was that on the US gunboat Panay on 1937. Production ceased in 1940. 590 built. Type: D1A2 Function: dive bomber Year: 1934 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 540kW Nakajima Hikari 1 Speed: 310km/h Ceiling: 6980m Range: 930km Armament: 3*mg7.7mm 400kg D3A, Aichi 'Val' (Naval Type 99 carrier bomber) This low-wing monoplane with fixed landing gear acquired a terrifying reputation in the early days of the Pacific War. Its performance was not that impressive, but the well-trained, experienced Japanese pilots bombed their targets with great accuracy. Despite its low speed, the maneuvrable 'Val' was often used as a fighter. 1495 built. Type: D3A1 Function: dive bomber Year: 1941 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 800kW Mitsubishi Kinsei 44 Speed: 390km/h Ceiling: 9500m Range: 1470km Armament: 3*mg7.7mm 1*b250kg 2*b30kg D3N, Nakajima Smaller development of the D3A with retractable landing gear. D3Y Myojo, Yokosuka (Naval Type 99 Bomber Trainer) Wooden trainer version of the D3A. Five built. Type: D3Y1-K Function: trainer Year: Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 960kW Mitsubishi Kinsei 54 Speed: 450km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: D4Y Suisei, Yokosuka 'Judy' Dive bomber, inspired by the German He 118. The liquid-cooled Atsuta engine of the D4Y1 and D4Y2 was unreliable and was replaced by the a Kinsei 62 radial in the D4Y3. Early versions also proved unfit for dive bombing because of structural weaknesses. 2157 built. Type: D4Y2 Function: dive bomber Year: 1942 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 1030kW Aichi AE1P Atsuta 32 Speed: 580km/h Ceiling: 10700m Range: 3600km Armament: 3*mg7.7mm 560kg DC-2, Douglas Nakajima license-built the DC-2. A few were requisitioned by the IJN. Do N, Dornier (Type 87 heavy bomber) Kawasaki built 28 Do N's for the Army. The Do N was an all-metal high-wing bomber with two engines in a tandem arrangment, virtually a land-based Wal. Type: Do N Function: bomber Year: Crew: Engines: 2 * 500hp BMW VI Speed: 180km/h Ceiling: Range: 6h Armament: --E-------------------------------------------------------------------------- E1Y, Yokosuka (Type 14 reconaissance floatplane) Biplane. 320 built. Type: E1Y1 Function: reconaissance Year: 1923 Crew: Engines: Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: E-2 Hawkeye, Grumman AEW aircraft. The E-2 is a carrier aircraft, but the small fleet of Japanese E-2's is land-based. E2N, Nakajima (Type 15 reconaissance seaplane) Reconaissance floatplane. The E2N was a biplane. 77 built. Type: E2N1 Function: reconaissance Year: Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 220kW Hispano Suiza Speed: 166km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: E-3 Sentry, Boeing U.S.-built AWACS aircraft. Japanese interest for the KE-3 tanker version has also been reported. But acquisition plans had to be abandoned when E-3 production was halted, and interest shifted to an AWACS development of the Boeing 767. E3A, Aichi (Type 90 Model 1 Reconaissance Seaplane) Development of the Heinkel HD-56. Twelve built. Type: E3A1 Function: reconaissance Year: 1931 Crew: 3 Engines: 1 * 220kW Jimpu Speed: 170km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: E4N, Nakajima (Type 90 Model 2 Reconaissance Seaplane) 152 built. Type: E4N2 Function: reconaissance Year: Crew: Engines: 1 * 330kW Nakajima Kotobuki Speed: 232km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: E5K, Kawanishi (Type 90 Model 3) Biplane reconaissance floatplane. Not very succesfull. 20 built. Type: E5K1 Function: reconaissance Year: Crew: Engines: 1 * 330kW Jupiter Speed: 177km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: E6Y, Yokosuka Reconissaince aircraft for submarines. E7K, Kawanishi 'Alf' (Naval Type 94 reconaissance seaplane) Catapult-launched floatplane, reliable but slow. Second-line service only from 1943. 530 built. Type: E7K2 Function: reconaissance Year: 1938 Crew: 3 Engines: 1 * 640kW Mitsubishi Zuisei 11 Speed: 275km/h Ceiling: 7060m Range: 2200km Armament: 3*mg7.7mm 120kg E8N, Nakajima 'Dave' (Naval Type 95 Reconaissance Floatplane) A sturdy biplane, used as catapult-launched reconaissance aircraft for cruisers and battleships, and still in service in large numbers in 1941. 755 built. Type: E8N1 Function: reconaissance Year: 1935 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 425kW Nakajima Kotobuki 2-KAI-1 Speed: 300km/h Ceiling: Range: 900km Armament: 2*mg 60kg E9W, Watanabe 'Slim' Reconaissance aircraft for submarines. 35 built. Type: E9W1 Function: reconaissance Year: 1935 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 220kW Hitachi 6K2 Tempu II Speed: 232km/h Ceiling: 6750m Range: Armament: 1*mg7.7mm E10A, Aichi 'Hank' (Type 95 Reconaissance floatplane) Biplane. 15 built. Type: E10A1 Function: reconaissance Year: Crew: 3 Engines: 1 * 455kW Hiro type 91 Speed: 260km/h Ceiling: 4120m Range: 1500km Armament: 1*mg7.7mm E11A, Aichi 'Laura' (Type 98 Reconaissance floatplane). Biplane flying boat, used only during the first year of WWII. 17 built. Type: E11A1 Function: reconaissance Year: 1937 Crew: 3 Engines: 1 * 455kW Hiro Speed: 217km/h Ceiling: 4400m Range: 1945km Armament: 1*mg7.7mm E11K, Kawanishi Three built. Type: E11K1 Function: transport Year: Crew: Engines: 1 * 550kW Hiro type 91 Speed: 232km/h Ceiling: 4200m Range: Armament: E13A, Aichi 'Jake' (Naval Type 0 reconaissance floatplane) This twin-float seaplane performed its tasks almost anonymously, but it was effective, and very popular with its crews. It was in service throughout the war. 1418 built. Type: E13A1 Function: reconaissance Year: 1940 Crew: 3 Engines: 1 * 800kW Mitsubishi Kinsei 43 Speed: 375km/h Ceiling: 8700m Range: 2090km Armament: 1*g20mm 1*mg7.7mm 250kg E13K, Kawanishi Design competing with the E13A. No production. E14Y, Yokosuka 'Glenn' (Naval Type 0 Small Reconaissance seaplane) Reconaissance aircraft for submarines. The E14Y1 was a low-wing floatplane; one E14Y1 was the only aircraft to drop bombs on the U.S.A. homeland in WWII -- four 76kg firebombs in a forest in Oregon. 126 built. Type: E14Y1 Function: reconaissance Year: 1941 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 250kW Hitachi Tempu 12 Speed: 245km/h Ceiling: 5420m Range: 880km Armament: 1*mg7.7mm 60kg E15K Shiun, Kawanishi 'Norm' The E15K was designed to outrun Allied fighters. Despite its power and streamlining its normal top speed was too low to do that. The big central float could be jettisoned to get an additional 90km/h, but this mechanism was extremely troublesome, and all aircraft sent in service were shot down. 15 built. Type: E15K1 Function: reconaissance Year: 1943 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 1360kW Mitsubishi Kasei 24 Speed: 469km/h Ceiling: 9830m Range: 3370km Armament: 1*mg7.7mm 2*b60kg E16A Zuiun, Aichi 'Paul' This floatplane could fly dive-bombing missions as well. It replaced the E13A, but was never as popular as the older aircraft, and it had to fly under the very adverse conditions of 1944. 256 built. Type: E16A1 Function: reconaissance / dive bomber Year: 1944 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 955kW Mitsubishi MK8D Kinsei 54 Speed: 439km/h Ceiling: 10000m Range: 2420km Armament: 2*g20mm 1*mg13mm 250kg --F-------------------------------------------------------------------------- F-1, Mitsubishi Development of the T-2. The F-1 is a single-seat close-support fighter, the only external change is the fairing over of the second cockpit. 77 delivered. Type: F-1 Function: attack Year: 1977 Crew: 1 Engines: 2 * 3300kg Ishikawajima-Harime TF40-801A Speed: 1700km/h Ceiling: 15250m Range: 1130km Armament: 1*g20mm 2700kg F1M, Mitsubishi 'Pete' (Naval Type 0 Observation Seaplane) The F1M was designed as reconaissance seaplane. In the war this nimble, carefully streamlined biplane, easily recognized by its tapering wings and large central float, was used in any possible role, including that of fighter. 704 built. Type: F1M2 Function: reconaissance Year: 1939 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 640kW Mitsubishi Zuisei 13 Speed: 370km/h Ceiling: 9400m Range: 770km Armament: 3*mg7.7mm 2*b60kg F-4EJ Phantom II, MDD Japanese version of the F-4E Phantom II. License-built by Mitsubihi. F-15J Eagle, Mitsubishi-MDD The license-built version of the U.S. F-15 fighter. F-104J Starfighter, Lockheed Japanese version of Lockheed F-104. The last were retired in 1987. FST-2, Mitsubishi Renamed F-1. FS-X Requirement for a light strike fighter. After considering developments of the F-15, F-16 and F-18 and a completely new indigenous design, it was decided to develop an aircraft from the F-16. FS-X was rolled out on January 12, 1995. Externally it is almost indistuingishable from the F-16. It is expected that FS-X will be in production from 2000 to 2004. --G-------------------------------------------------------------------------- G, Kawanishi See E5K G3M, Mitsubishi 'Nell' (Naval Type 96 Attack Bomber) The G3M, a clean monoplane with twin fins and rudders, sacrificed armament and armour for range. It was already obsolete in 1941, but nevertheless it gained fame by the sinking of the 'Prince of Wales' and 'Repulse'. About 1020 built. Type: G3M1 Function: bomber Year: 1936 Crew: 7 Engines: 2 * 670kW Mitsubishi Kinsei 3 Speed: 345km/h Ceiling: 7500m Range: 4700km Armament: 3*mg7.7mm 800kg G4M, Mitsubishi 'Betty' (Naval Type 1 Attack Bomber) The Navy's requirement for a 3700km range with full bombload could only be achieved by designing the entire wing as a 5000l integral fuel tank and keeping the structure very light, without any armour. Hence the G4M became known as the 'one-shot lighter' to allied pilots. It became notorious late in the war as the carrier aircraft for the Ohka suicide aircraft. 2446 built. Type: G4M1 Function: bomber Year: 1941 Crew: 7 Engines: 2 * 1130kW Mitsubishi MK4A Kasei 11 Speed: 430km/h Ceiling: 8840m Range: 6035km Armament: 4*mg7.7mm 1*g20mm b1000kg G5N Shinzan, Nakajima 'Liz' Development of the original Douglas DC-4E design, a four-engined transport that was rejected (the later DC-4 was an entirely different aircraft) and sold to Japan. The G5N used the wings, landing gear and engine nacelles of the DC-4E, but the fuselage was new and the G5N had twin fins instead of the triple fins of the DC-4E. Performance was disappointing. Six built. Type: G5N1 Function: bomber Year: 1939 Crew: 7-10 Engines: 4 * 1375kW Nakajima NK7A Mamoru II Wing Span: Length: Height: Wing Area: Empty Weight: 44313lb Max. Weight: 70768lb Speed: 420km/h Ceiling: 7450m Range: 4260km Armament: 2*g20mm 4*mg 4000kg G6M, Mitsubishi 'Betty' (Naval Type 1 Wing-tip Convoy fighter) Gunship development of G4M. Too slow for their projected task, they were used as trainers. Type: G6M1 Function: fighter Year: Crew: 10 Engines: 2 * Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: 4*g20mm 1*mg G8N Renzan, Nakajima 'Rita' Long-range bomber, four built. The G8N was a good bomber, but Japan could no longer afford the production of such aircraft in 1944. Type: G8N1 Function: bomber Year: 1944 Crew: 10 Engines: 4 * 1480kW Nakajima NK9L Homare 24 Speed: 592km/h Ceiling: 10200m Range: 7500km Armament: 6*g20mm 4*mg13mm 4000kg G10N Fugaku, Nakajima Long-range heavy bomber. Not built. Type: G10N1 Function: bomber Year: Crew: Engines: 6 * 1480kW Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: 5000kg --H-------------------------------------------------------------------------- H, Aichi License-built Heinkel HD-23 biplane fighter. Two built. H-1 Iroquois, Bell The U.S. UH-1 utility and tactical transport helicopter was license-built by Fuji for the army. H-3, Sikorksy US-built ASW and SAR helikopter. 48 are in service. H-6, Hughes-Kawasaki License-buitl version of the OH-6 reconaissance helicopter. H3K, Kawanishi Reconaissance flying boat. The prototype was built by the British Short Brothers company. The H3K was a big biplane with the engines in gondola's between the wings. Type: H3K1 Function: reconaissance Year: Crew: 8-9 Engines: 3 * 825hp R.R. Buzzard Speed: 225km/h Ceiling: Range: 9h Armament: 6*mg7.62mm H5Y, Yokosuka 'Cherry' Parasol-winged flying boat. Already obsolete when it entered service. 20 built. Type: H5Y1 Function: reconaissance Year: 1940 Crew: 6 Engines: 2 * 880kW Mitsubishi MK1A Shinten 21 Speed: 302km/h Ceiling: 5280m Range: 4730km Armament: 2-3*mg7.7mm 500kg H6K, Kawanishi 'Mavis' (Navy Type 97 Large flying boat) Thsi big flying boat did very well in its reconaissance role. 'Mavis' had a slender fuselage and a long-span wing with extensive strutting and bracing. Its lack of armour made it very vulnerable, and from 1942 onwards it was used as a long-range transport. 215 built. Type: H6K4 Function: reconaissance Year: 1940 Crew: 9 Engines: 4 * 100hp Mitsubishi Kinsei 43 Speed: 340km/h Ceiling: 9610m Range: 6080km Armament: 1*g20mm 4*mg 1000kg H7Y, Yokosuka Long-range reconaissance flying boat. One built. Type: H7Y Function: reconaissance Year: 1939 Crew: Engines: 4 * Junkers Jumo 205 Speed: Ceiling: Range: 9250km Armament: H8K, Kawanishi 'Emily' The H8K was a big high-wing flying boat. This well-armed, sturdy aircraft flew long-range reconaissance missions; it had to be treated with respect by allied fighters. The H8K was probably the best flying boat of WWII. 167 built. Type: H8K2 Function: reconaissance Year: 1942 Crew: 10 Engines: 4 * 1360kW Mitsubishi Kasei 22 Speed: 470km/h Ceiling: 8770m Range: 7200km Armament: 5*g20mm 1*mg7.7mm 2000kg H9A, Aichi Training flying boat, designed for the training of H8K crews. Some were used for reconaissance, but the type remained unkonw to the Allied. 31 built. Type: H9A1 Function: trainer Year: 1942 Crew: 5-8 Engines: 2 * 575kW Nakajima Kotobuki 41 Speed: 317km/h Ceiling: 6780m Range: 2150km Armament: 3*mg7.7mm 250kg HD-25, Heinkel / Aichi Float biplane, a shipboard reconaissance aircraft designed by Heinkel for the Japanese Navy. Aichi built 14. H-47, Boeing-Vertol / Kawasaki The CH-47J is the Japanese verion of the CH-47 tandem-rotor transport helicopter. H-53, Sikorsky US-built mine-hunting helicopter. H-55, Hughes US-built training helicopter H-60, Sikorksy The HH-60 Nighthawk SAR helicopter, SH-60J (Japanese version of the SH-60B Sea Hawk) Hei 2 Designatioin applied to one French Spad S.XX fighter. --I-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Itoh Biplane fighter. Type: Itoh Function: fighter Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 80hp Gnome Speed: 160km/hg Ceiling: Range: Armament: --J-------------------------------------------------------------------------- J1N Gekko, Nakajima 'Irving' The J1N was designed as an heavy long-range fighter, but was used mainly as reconaissance aircraft. Like the Ki.45, it was as maneuvrable as many single-seat fighters. Later J1N's were nightfighters, equipped with upward-firing cannon and radar. 479 built. Type: J1N1-C Function: reconaissance Year: 1942 Crew: 3 Engines: 2 * 1130hp Nakajima NK1F Sakae 21 Speed: 530km/h Ceiling: 10300m Range: 2700km Armament: 1*mg13mm 0-1g20mm J2M Raiden, Mitsubishi 'Jack' The J2M fighter broke away from the established practice; it was designed for speed and climb instead of maneuvrability. The J2M suffered from many teething troubles, making many changes needed. This and the breakdown of the industry limited production to 480. Those built were treated with great respect by the Allied. Type: J2M3 Function: fighter Year: 1943 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 1820hp Mitsubishi MK4R Kasei 23a Speed: 612km/h Ceiling: 11700m Range: 2520km Armament: 4*g20mm 120kg J4M Jinrai, Mitsubishi 'Luke' Single-engined, twin-boom fighter (?). J7W Shinden, Kyushu The J7W was a small fighter of canard configuration. It had an excellently streamlined fuselage, small canards, swept wings, and a 2130hp engine driving a six-bladed pusher propellor. Potentially one of the best piston-engined fighters ever built, the single J7W was flown for only 45 minutes. It was planned to fit a jet engine later. Type: J7W1 Function: fighter Year: 1945 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 2130hp Mitsubishi MK9D Speed: 750km/h Ceiling: 12000m Range: 850km Armament: 4*g30mm 120kg J8M Shusui, Mitsubishi The J8M was a copy of the German Me 163 rocket-engined interceptor; the engine was a straightforward copy, but the fuselage had to be reverse-engineered because of the loss of the plans and the pattern airframe sent from Germany. Seven built. Type: J8M1 Function: fighter Year: 1945 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 1500kg Toko Ro.2 Speed: 900km/h Ceiling: 12000m Range: 5m 30s under power Armament: 2*g30m --K-------------------------------------------------------------------------- K1Y, Yokosuka (Type 13 trainer) Floatplane trainer. 104 built. K2, Kawanishi Experimental aircraft, 1921. 145kW Hall-Scot engine, top speed 256km/h. K2Y, Yokosuka A development of the British Avro 504. 360 built. Type: K2Y2 Function: trainer Year: 1928 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * Kamikaze Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: K3M, Mitsubishi 'Pine' (Naval Type 90 Crew Trainer) This was an high-wing monoplane crew trainer with a deep fuselage. The pilot sat in an open cocpkit on top of the wing. They were also used as transports. 624 built. Type: K3M3 Function: trainer Year: 1939 Crew: 5 Engines: 1 * 580hp Nakajima Kotobuki 2-KA1-2 Speed: 240km/h Ceiling: 6390m Range: 800km Armament: 1*mg K4Y, Yokosuka (Naval Type 90 Training Seaplane) Biplane trainer on floats, inservice througout WWII. 211 built. Type: K4Y1 Function: trainer Year: 1932 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 120kW Hitachi Kamikaze 2 Speed: 162km/h Ceiling: Range: 315km K5Y, Yokosuka 'Willow' (Naval Type 93 Intermediate trainer) Biplane trainer. About 5570 were built, with floats (K5Y2 and K5Y3) and with wheeled landing gear (K5Y1). Type: K5Y1 Function: trainer Year: 1934 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 340hp Hitacji Amakaze 11 Speed: 212km/h Ceiling: 5700m Range: 1020km Armament: 2*mg K9W Momiji, Kyushu 'Cypress' (Naval type 2 Primary Trainer) A license-built German Bucker Bu 131 trainer. K10W, Kawanishi 'Oak' (Naval Type 2 Intermediate Trainer) Japanese version of the North American AT-6 trainer. 176 built. Type: K10W1 Function: trainer / liaison Year: 1941 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 440kW Nakajima Kotobuki 2 KAI Speed: 282km/h Ceiling: 7300m Range: 1050km Armament: 1*mg7.7mm K 11, Kawanishi Carrier-borne fighter biplane. No production. Type: K 11 Function: fighter Year: 1927 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 500hp BMW Speed: 259km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: K11W Shiragiku, Kyushu The K11W went unnoticed to allied observers, but it was very common in Japan. It was a monoplane crew trainer, rather large for a single-engined aircraft. The K11W2 was an ASW aircraft. 789 built. Type: K11W1 Function: trainer / utility Year: 1943 Crew: 5 Engines: 1 * 515hp Hitachi GK2B Amakaze 21 Speed: 244km/h Ceiling: 5620m Range: 1175km Armament: 1*mg7.7mm 2*b30kg Ka-1, Kabaya Development of the U.S. Kellet KD-1 autogiro -- that is, Kabaya was handed the wreckage of a KD-1A. Used for artillery observation and anti-submarine patrols. 240 built. Type: Ka-1 Function: reconaissance / ASW Year: 1941 Crew: 2-1 Engines: 1 * 175kW Argus-Kobe As 10C Speed: 165km/h Ceiling: 3500m Range: 280km Armament: 2*60kg Ka-2, Kabaya Development of the Ka-1. No production. Kawasaki Type 88 model 1 reconaissance aircraft See KDA 2. Kawasaki Type 88 model 2 reconaissance aircraft Light bomber development of model 1. Over 400 built. Type: 88-II Function: bomber Year: 1928 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 *440kW Kawasaki-BMW VI Speed: 210km/h Ceiling: 5200m Range: Armament: 2-3*mg7.7mm 200kg Kawasaki Type 92 fighter. Biplane fighter. The Type 92 was designed by Dr. Vogt. KDA 2, Kawasaki (Type 88 reconaissance aircraft) The KDA 2 was designed by the German Dr. Richard Vogt. It was a biplane reconaissance aircraft, agnular but clean, with a simple strutting arrangment. 707 built. Type: KDA 2 Function: reconaissance Year: 1927 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 500hp BMW-Kawasaki Speed: 210km/h Ceiling: 5200m Range: 5h Armament: 2-3*mg KEN III, Kawasaki See Ki.78. KF 1, Kawanishi See H3K. KH-4, Kawasaki Development of the Bell 47G. Ki.1, Mitsubishi (Type 93) This was a angular monoplane bomber based on the Junkers K.37. It was used in the war against China. Type: Ki.1 Function: bomber Year: 1933 Crew: 4 Engines: 2 * 700hp Ha-2-II Speed: 220km/h Ceiling: Range: 1100km Armament: 3*mg7.7mm 1000kg Ki.2, Mitsubishi Low-wing monoplane bomber with open cockpits and fixed landing gear. Served in China. Type: Ki.2 Function: bomber Year: 1933 Crew: 3 Engines: 2 * 570hp Nakajima Kotobuki Speed: 225km/h Ceiling: 7000m Range: 900km Armament: 2*mg 300kg Ki.3, Kawasaki Biplane light bomber. 244 built. Type: Ki.3 Function: bomber Year: Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 590kW Kawasaki-BMW IX Speed: 260km/h Ceiling: 7000m Range: Armament: 2*mg7.7mm 500kg Ki.4, Nakajima (Type 94 reconaissance aircraft) Sesquiplane reconsaissance aircraft, used in the was with China. 516 built. Type: Ki.4 Function: reconaissance Year: 1934 Crew: Engines: 1 * 650hp Ha-8 Speed: 300km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 4*mg7.7mm Ki.8, Nakajima Two-seat fighter, a low-wing monoplane with an inverted gull wing and a trousered undercarriage, and a 710hp Nakajima Kotobuki 3 engined. Five built. 1935. Ki.9, Tachikawa 'Spruce' (Army Type 95-1 Medium Grade Trainer) Biplane trainer. 2618 built. Type: Ki.9 Function: trainer Year: 1935 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 260kW Hitachi Ha-13a Speed: 240km/h Ceiling: 5800m Range: 3h 30m Armament: Ki.10, Kawasaki 'Perry' (Army Type 95 Fighter) Biplane fighter. The Ki.10 fought in the 1938 war against the USSR. It was a small, very manoeuvrable aircraft. 588 built. Type: Ki.10 Function: fighter Year: 1935 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 625kW Kawasaki Ha-9-IIa Speed: 400km/h Ceiling: 11500m Range: 1100km Armament: 2*mg7.7mm Ki.11, Nakajima Wirebraced low-wing monoplane, inspired by the U.S. P-26. The Ki-11 was built as a private venture, and was rejected by the Army, that bought the more maneuvrable Ki.10 instead. Four built. Ki.12, Nakajima The Ki.12 was an advanced monoplane fighter, designed under supevision of French engineers, with retractable landing gear and cannon armament. The conservative army considered the Ki.12 to be too heavy and not very maneuvrable, despite having a greater range and being faster than the Ki.27. One built. Type: Ki.12 Function: fighter Year: 1936 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 610hp Hispano-Suiza 12Xcrs Speed: 480km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 1*g20mm 2*mg7.7mm Ki.15, Mitsubishi 'Babs' (Army Type 97 Command Reconaissance aircraft) This was a light bomber, a a monoplane with fixed landing gear, developed from pre-war long-distance and mailplanes. When it entered service in the war with China the speed of the Ki.15 was adequate protection, but this was no longer true in 1941. 437 built. Type: Ki.15-I Function: bomber Year: 1936 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 750hp Nakajima Ha-8 Speed: 450km/h Ceiling: 8600m Range: 2400km Armament: 1-2*mg7.7mm 250kg Ki.17, Tachikawa 'Cedar' (Army Type 95-3 Primary Trainer) Biplane trainer, a development of the Ki-9. 560 built. Type: Ki.17 Function: trainer Year: 1935 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 110kW Hitachi Ha-12 Speed: 170km/h Ceiling: 5300m Range: Ki.18, Mitsubishi This was a version of the A5M for evaluation by the Japanese Army. That considered it to be insufficiently maneuvrable, but asked for a more advanced aircraft. One built. Ki.20, Mitsubishi Six built. Type: Ki.20 Function: bomber Year: 1931 Crew: Engines: 4 * Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: 8*mg 5000kg Ki.21, Mitsubishi 'Sally' (Army Type 97 heavy bomber) This twin-engined bomber was first flown in 1936 and was refined after combat experience in China. But the bomber was inherently obsolete and was retired in 1943, despite the development of the Ki.21-II with far more powerful engines. 2064 built. Type: Ki.21-IIb Function: bomber Year: 1941 Crew: 5 Engines: 2 * 1500hp Mitsubishi Ha-101 Speed: 486km/h Ceiling: 10000m Range: 2700km Armament: 6*mg 1000kg Ki.27, Nakajima 'Nate' (Army Type 97 Fighter) The Ki.27 was the first monoplane of the Japanese Army. It was a rather exceptional aircraft, because maneuvrability had become a fetish for the Japanese air forces. The Ki.27 was certainly the most agile fighter monoplane ever built. It was a clean, very light, elegant monoplane with fixed, spatted landing gear and good performance; it marked the new ability of the Japanese industry to design and build advanced aircraft. Combat experience against Soviet fighters in the 'Nomonhan Incident' was not entirely favourable, because of the type's insufficient speed, armour and armament. It was still the most numerous Army fighter in December 1941. 3387 built. Type: Ki.27-Otsu Function: fighter Year: 1938 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 780hp Nakajima Ha-1-Otsu Speed: 470km/h Ceiling: 12250m Range: 1710km Armament: 2*mg7.7mm 4*b25kg Ki.28, Kawasaki Fighter monoplane. No production. Type: Ki.28 Function: fighter Year: Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 590kW Kawasaki Ha-9-II-Ko Speed: 485km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: Ki.30, Mitsubishi 'Ann' (Army Type 97 Light Bomber) In the mid-30's the single-engined, fast light bomber enjoyed some popularity. Britain built the Fairey Battle, the USSR the Suchoi Su-2, the U.S.A. the Northrop A-17, and Japan the Ki.15 and Ki.30. All these aircraft looked impressive at the time when most fighters were still biplanes, but were hacked down in large numbers when they encountered modern fighters. The Ki.30 with fixed landing gear was one of the major types in the war with China, but was retired in 1942 after contributing to the attack on the Philippines. Type: Ki.30 Function: bomber Year: 1938 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 950hp Mitsubishi Ha-5 Zuisei Speed: 423km/h Ceiling: 8750m Range: 1700km Armament: 2-3*mg7.7mm 300kg Ki.32, Kawasaki 'Mary' (Army Type 98 Single-engined light bomber) This was yet another light monoplane bomber with fixed landing gear. The Ki.30 was intially preferred over the Ki.32 because the latter's liquid-cooled engine was unreliable, but was later put into production. In 1942 it was assigned to second-line units. 854 built. Type: Ki.32 Function: bomber Year: 1938 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 850hp Ha-9-11 Speed: 423km/h Ceiling: 8920m Range: 1300km Armament: 2*mg7.7mm 450kg Ki.33, Mitsubishi Development of the Ki.18. The Ki.33 was a monoplane fighter with enclosed cockpit, but fixed landing gear. The Army preferred the nimber Ki.27. No production. Type: Ki.33 Function: fighter Year: 1937 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 440kW Nakajima Ha-1-Ko Speed: 474km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: Ki.34, Nakajima 'Thora' (Army Type 97 Transport Aircraft) Small twin-engined transport, inspired by the Douglas DC-2. A former civil transport. 318 built. Type: Ki.34 Function: transport Year: 1937 Crew: 3 Engines: 2 * 520kW Nakajima Kotobuki 41 Speed: 310km/h Ceiling: 7000m Range: 1200km Load: 8 seats Ki.36, Tachikawa 'Ida' Small airmy-cooperation aircraft with fixed landing gear. The Ki.36 was used a lot in China, but was not suitable for combat in the Pacific. 1334 built. Type: Ki.36 Function: attack Year: 1938 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 375kW Hitachi Ha-13a Speed: 348km/h Ceiling: 8150m Range: 1235km Armament: 2*mg7.7mm 150kg Ki.37, Nakajima Designation assigned to Nakajima for the building of a twin-engined strategic fighter. The company never submitted a project. Ki.38, Kawasaki This project for a twin-engined long-range fighter was abandoned, to be revived later as the Ki.45. Ki.39, Misubishi Designation assigned to Mitsubishi for the building of a twin-engined strategic fighter. Mitsubishi complained that it was already overburdened, and no design was made. Ki.43 Hayabusa, Nakajima 'Oscar' (Army Type 1 Fighter) The Ki.43 was antiquated in concept by the conservatism of the army, that had been misled by the succes of the Ki.27. The Ki.43 was designed for maneuvrability at the expense of robustness, climb and dive speed, and armament; and when Japan entered WWII in December 1941 only 40 were in service. Nevertheless the Ki.43 was numerically the most important army fighter during most of the war, and enjoyed considerable succes until the Allied pilots were learnt to avoid dogfights with the Ki.43. Later rudimentary self-sealing fuel tanks and some 13mm armour plating were introduced, but the armament remained inadequate. 5919 built. Type: Ki.43-I-Hei Function: fighter Year: 1941 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 990hp Nakajima Ha-25 Speed: 492km/h Ceiling: 11750m Range: 1300km Armament: 2*mg12.7mm Type: Ki.43-II-Otsu Function: fighter Year: 1942 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 850kW Nakajima Ha-115 Wing Span: 10.84m Length: 8.92m Height: 3.27m Wing Area: 21.4m2 Empty Weight: 1910kg Max.Weight: 2925kg Speed: 530km/h Ceiling: 11200m Range: 3200km Armament: 2*mg12.7mm 2*b250kg Ki.44 Shoki, Nakajima 'Tojo' (Army Type 2 Single-seat Fighter) The Ki.44 was quite radical as far as Japanese thinkign was considered. It was a fast interceptor with a relatively high wing loading, which sacrificed maneuvrability for speed. At first it was viewed with suspicion by conservative pilots and even considered dangerous. But the pilots soon learned to use its roll rate, climb-and-dive speed and excellence as a gun platform. About 1225 built. Type: Ki.44-II-Otsu Function: fighter Year: 1941 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 1520hp Nakajima Ha-109 Speed: 605km/h Ceiling: 11200m Range: 1690km Armament: 4*mg12.7mm 2*b100kg Ki.45 Toryu, Kawasaki 'Nick' (Type 2 Two-Seat Fighter) The Ki.45 was a twin-engined long-range fighter. Development was difficult and the production Ki.45-KAI had only a configurational similarity to the first prototype. The Ki.45 was relatively small and surprisingly maneuvrable. It was an effective fighter-bomber and a creditable interceptor, but it lacked the climb to attack to B-29. 1701 were built. Type: Ki.45-KAI-Ko Function: fighter Year: 1942 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 1080hp Mitsubishi Ha-102 Speed: 540km/h Ceiling: 10730m Range: 2260km Armament: 1*g20mm 2*mg12.7mm 1*mg7.92mm Ki.46, Mitsubishi 'Dinah' (Army Type 100 Command Reconaissance aircraft) The graceful Ki.46 was an excellent high-altitude reconaissance aircraft, and one of the few aircraft that could escape fighters by its high performance. The Ki.46-III had an unstepped nose, the other version had more conventional lines. An attempt to use it as B-29 interceptor was less successfull, due to the type's low climbing speed. 1742 built. Type: Ki.46-III Function: reconaissance Year: 1942 Crew: 2 Engines: 2 * 1500hp Mitsubishi Ha-112-II Speed: 630km/h Ceiling: 11000m Range: 4000km Ki.48, Kawasaki 'Lily' (Army Type 99 Twin-engined light bomber) This light bomber was built to an unispired requirement for a light bomber similar to the Soviet Tupolev SB. The Ki.48 was a mediocre aircraft that could only operate at night or under total air superiority and carried less bombs than many fighter-bombers. Nevertheless production continued until 1944. 1977 built. Type: Ki.48-I Function: bomber Year: 1940 Crew: 4 Engines: 2 * 980hp Nakajima Ha-25 Speed: 480km/h Ceiling: Range: 2400km Armament: 3*mg7.7mm 400kg Ki.49 Donryu, Nakajima 'Helen' (Army Type 100 Heavy bomber) This bomber replaced the Ki.21. It was better armoured, but had no real other advantages over the older aircraft; it never replaced it completely. 819 built. Type: Ki.49-II Function: bomber Year: 1942 Crew: 8 Engines: 2 * 1500hp Nakajima Ha-109 Speed: 492km/h Ceiling: 9300m Range: 2950km Armament: 1*g20mm 5*mg 1000kg Ki.51, Mitsubishi 'Sonia' (Army Type 99 Assault Aircraft) This was a development of the Ki.30 as ground attack aircraft, smaller and better protected. Despite its apparent obsolescence it was never replaced. 2388 built. Type: Ki.51 Function: attack Year: 1940 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 940hp Mitsubishi Ha-26-II Speed: 424km/h Ceiling: 8270m Range: 1060km Armament: 3*mg7.7mm 200kg Ki.54, Tachikawa 'Hickory' (Army Type 1 Advanced Trainer) A small twin-engined low-wing aircraft, used as trainer and light transport. 1368 built. Type: Ki.54 Hei Function: trainer Year: 1941 Crew: 2 Engines: 2 * 450hp Hitachi Ha-13a Speed: 376km/h Ceiling: 7180m Range: 960km Load: 8 seats Ki.55, Tachikawa 'Ida' Trainer development of the Ki.36, with no combat equipment. 1389 built. Type: Ki.55 Function: trainer Year: 1939 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 375kW Hitachi Ha-13a Speed: 349km/h Ceiling: 8200m Range: 1060km Armament: 1*mg7.7mm 500kg Ki.56, Kawasaki 'Thalia' (Army Type 1 Freight Transport) This was a development of the Lockheed 14, but both bigger and lighter, and generally superior. 121 were built. Type: Ki.56 Function: transport Year: 1941 Crew: 4 Engines: 2 * 990hp Nakajima Ha-25 Speed: 400km/h Ceiling: 8000m Range: Load: 2400kg Ki.57, Kawasaki 'Topsy' (Army Type 100 transport aircraft). The most important Japanese transport aircraft of WWII, a development of the Ki.21 bomber. Originally intended as a civil transport. 507 built. Type: Ki.57-II Function: transport Year: 1942 Crew: 4 Engines: 2 * 1050hp Mitsubishi Ha-102 Speed: 470km/h Ceiling: 8000m Range: 3000km Load: 11 seats Ki.58, Nakajima This was an escort fighter development of the Ki.49, with five 20mm cannon and three 12.7mm guns. No production. Ki.59, Kokusai 'Theresa' (Army Type 1 Transport Aircraft) Small transport and liaison aircraft. 59 built. Type: Ki.59 Function: transport Year: 1941 Crew: 2-3 Engines: 2 * 375kW Hitachi Ha-13 Speed: 300km/h Ceiling: Range: Load: 8 seats Ki.60, Kawasaki The Ki.60 was an attempt to build an interceptor that had greater speed and climb-and-dive capability, at the expense of maneuvrability. The Ki.60 was a compact fighter powered by a Daimler-Benz DB 601A. Handling was bad and performance disappointing; the Army decided in favour of the competing Ki.44. Three built. Type: Ki.60 Function: fighter Year: 1941 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 1175hp Daimler-Benz DB 601 Speed: 560km/h Ceiling: 10000m Range: Armament: 4*mg12.7mm Ki.61 Hien, Kawasaki 'Tony' (Army Type 3 Fighter) After the Ki.60 fiasco, Kawasaki concentrated on the Ki.61, an all-round fighter for low and medium altitudes, lighter and with more wing surface. The Ki.61 was very different from earlier Japanese fighters; it had a liquid-cooled engine -- a copy of the DB 601A --, armour plating, self-sealing fuel tanks and increased armament. Some Hiens had 20mm Mauser cannon, brought by submarine from Germany. The Ki.61 was an effective fighter, making a change of Allied combat tactics necessary. But it was inferior to the F6F and P-51. The Ki.61-II development had to be abandoned due to the unreliability of the Ha-140 engine. 3078 built. Type: Ki.61-I-KAI-Hei Function: fighter Year: 1943 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 1175kW Kawasaki Ha-40 Speed: 580km/h Ceiling: 10000m Range: 1080km Armament: 2*g20mm 2*mg12.7mm 2*b250kg Ki.64, Kawasaki 'Rob' The Ki.64 used two Ha-40 engines, with one engine fitted in the nose and the second behind the pilot, with a long axis beneath the pilot's seat, driving contra-rotating propellors in the nose. This arrangment was known as the Ha-201. The Ki.64 also used steam vapour cooling by wing surface radiators. The prototype was destroyed on its fifth flight and the progamma abandoned. Type: Ki.64 Function: fighter Year: 1943 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 2350hp Kawasaki Ha-201 Speed: 700km/h Ceiling: 12000m Range: 500km Armament: 4*g20mm Ki.66, Kawasaki Twin-engined dive bomber. A development of the Ki.45 was preferred. Six built. Type: Ki.66 Function: dive bomber Year: 1942 Crew: Engines: 2 * 1150hp Nakajima Ha 115 Speed: 535km/h Ceiling: Range: 2000km Armament: 2*mg12.7mm 1*mg7.7mm 500kg Ki.67 Hiryu, Mitsubishi 'Peggy' (Army Type 4 Heavy Bomber) The Ki.67 medium bomber was fast, well-armed and armoured, and had a fighter-like maneuvrability. Delays reduced the production to 727, almost all built in 1945. The performance was impressive enough that the Army considered several fighter developments. Type: Ki.67-Ib Function: bomber Year: 1944 Crew: 6-8 Engines: 2 * 1900hp Mitsubishi Ha-104 Speed: 537km/h Ceiling: 9470m Range: 2800km Armament: 1*g20mm 4*mg12.7mm 800kg Ki.68, Nakajima Proposed version of the G5N bomber for the Army. Not built. Ki.69, Mitsubishi Gunship version of the Ki.67. Abandoned. 1942. Ki.70, Tachikawa 'Clara' Intended succesor for the Ki.46, but proved slower than the Ki.46 and difficult to handle. Three built. Type: Ki.70 Function: reconaissance Year: 1943 Crew: Engines: 1 * 1400kW Mitsubishi Ha-104M Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Ki.71, Mitsubishi 'Edna' This was an improved Ki.51 with retractable landing gear and a more powerful engine, 1100kW Mitsubishi Ha-112. Performance was disappointing.Three built. Ki.72, Tachikawa Not built. Ki.74, Tachikawa 'Patsy' or 'Pat' The requirement was originally one for a high-speed, high-altitude aircraft to reconoittre the vast depth of Siberia. Later it was revived as a reconaissance bomber, with a range large enough to reach the continental United Stats. 16 built. Type: Ki.74 Function: reconaissance bomber Year: 1944 Crew: 5 Engines: 2 * 1470kW Mitsubishi Ha-104 Ru Speed: 570km/h Ceiling: 12000m Range: 8000km Armament: 1*mg12.7mm 1000kg Ki.76, Kokusai 'Stella' (Army Type 3 Command Liaison Aircraft) The Ki.76 was equivalent to the German Fieseler Fi 156 'Storch' STOL aircraft, but was not a real copy. Changes improved the general performance at some cost in STOL capability. It was used as liaison and anti-submarine aircraft. Type: Ki.76 Function: observation / liaison Year: 1942 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 310hp Hitachi Ha-42 Speed: 178km/h Ceiling: 5630m Range: 750km Armament: 1*mg 120kg Ki.77, Tachikawa Experimental long-range aircraft, firts intended for a flight from Tokyo to New York , but later the target was changed to Berlin... The Ki.77 made a closed-circuit flight of 16435km. Two built. Type: Ki.77 Function: experimental Year: 1942 Crew: 5 Engines: 2 * 860kW Nakajima Ha-115 Speed: 440km/h Ceiling: 8700m Range: 18000km Armament: Ki.78, Kawasaki Fast experimental aircraft. Type: Ki.78 Function: experimental Year: 1942 Crew: Engines: 1 * 1550hp Daimler Benz DB 601A Speed: 700km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: Ki.80, Nakajima Development of the Ki.49, intended as formation lead aircraft. Two built. Type: Ki.80 Function: experimental Year: Crew: Engines: 2 * Ha-117 Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: Ki.83, Mitsubishi The Ki.83 was designed as an twin-engined, heavily armed long-range fighter. It was one of the most advanced Japanese aircraft of WWII, fast and very maneuvrable. But it was still in development when the war ended. Four built. Type: Ki.83 Function: fighter Year: 1944 Crew: 1 Engines: 2 * 2200hp Mitsubishi Ha-211-Ru Speed: 704km/h Ceiling: 10000m Range: 2800km Armament: 2*g30mm 2*g20mm 2*b50kg Ki.84 Hayate, Nakajima 'Frank' (Army Type 4 Fighter) The Ki.84 combined all the assets of a truly modern fighter aircraft with the traditional maneuvrability of Japanese fighters. It was sturdy, well-armoured, carried heavy armament, and could outclimb and outmaneuvre any opponent. But it suffered from low production standards, so and maintenance became a nightmare, and the crumbling of the Japanese industry reduced production to 3382. Type: Ki.84-I-Ko Function: fighter Year: 1944 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 2000hp Nakajima Ha-45-21 Speed: 624km/h Ceiling: 11000m Range: 2920km Armament: 2*mg13mm 2*g20mm 2*b250kg Ki.85, Kawanishi Proposed development of the G5N bomber. Not built. Ki.86, Kokusai (Army Type 4 Primary trainer) Equivalent of the Navy's K9W, a license-built Bucker Bu 131. Armament: Ki.87, Nakajima Japan never developed an effective high-altitude fighter, despite numerous attempts. The need for such aircraft became particularly urgent with the introduction by the US of the high-flying B-29 bomber. The Ki.87 had a pressurized cockpit and a turbocharger, fitted to the right side of the engine. Only one was built, and this only flown five times. Type: Ki.87 Function: fighter Year: 1945 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 2450hp Nakajima Ha-44-21 (Ha-219-Ru) Speed: 706km/h Ceiling: 12885m Range: 2h Armament: 2*g30mm 2*g20mm 1*b250kg Ki.88, Kawasaki This was a simpler derivative of the Ki.64, with the nose engine and the vulnerable surface cooling system removed. Never built. Ki.91, Kawasaki Heavy bomber. Cancelled when all tooling was destroyed by bombing. Type: Ki.91 Function: bomber Year: 1945 Crew: Engines: 4 * 2500hp Mitsubishi Ha-214 Ru Speed: 580km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: Ki.93, Rikugun The Ki.93 was first designed as a twin-engined long-range fighter, but emphasis later shifted to a multi-role fighter-bomber. The Ki.93 looked very promising, with its laminar-flow wing, powerful engines, sleek fuselage, extensive armour and 57mm gun. But it was flown only once before an accident and bombing halted testing. Type: Ki.93 Function: fighter-bomber Year: 1945 Crew: 2 Engines: 2 * 1970hp Mitsubishi Ha-214 Speed: 624km/h Ceiling: 12050m Range: 2000km Armament: 1*g57mm 2*g20mm 1*mg12.7mm Ki.96, Kawasaki The Ki.96 was a derivative of the Ki.45 with a new fuselage and more powerful engines, and the position for the rear gunner removed. The Ki.96 was an excellent aircraft, but served only as a stepping stone in the development of the Ki-102. Three built. Type: Ki.96 Function: fighter Year: 1943 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 1500hp Mitsubishi Ha-112-II Speed: 630km/h Ceiling: 11500m Range: 600km Armament: 1*g37mm 2*g20mm Ki.100, Kawasaki (Army Type 5 Fighter) The Ki.61-II-KAI development of the Ki.61 was an excellent high-altitude fighter, but its liquid-cooled Ha-140 engine was in short supply and extremely unreliable. As an emergency measure, the aircraft was adapted for the Ha-112 radial, and production began with the conversion of engineless Ki.61-II airframes. In the ten months before the end of WWII, the Ki.100 demonstrated to be the best WWII fighter of the Japanese Army. 396 built. Type: Ki.100-I-Otsu Function: fighter Year: 1944 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 1500hp Mitsubishi Ha-112-II Speed: 580km/h Ceiling: 11000m Range: 2200km Armament: 2*g20mm 2*mg12.7mm Ki.102, Kawasaki 'Randy' (Army Type 4 Assault Aircraft) The Ki.102 was a multi-purpose development of the Ki.96; it reverted to the two-seat configuration. The Ki.102-Ko interceptor was handicapped by its troublesome superchargers, the Ki-102-Otsu was an excellent ground attack aircraft and the Ki-102-Hei night fighter (with German radar) was still in development when WWII ended. Only 238 were built. Type: Ki-102-Ko Function: fighter Year: 1944 Crew: 2 Engines: 2 * 1500hp Mitsubishi Ha-112-Ru Speed: 580km/h Ceiling: 13000m Range: 2100km Armament: 1*g37mm 2*g20mm Ki.103, Mitsubishi High-altitude interceptor version of the Ki.83. The war ended before a prototype was completed. Ki.104, Mitsubishi FIghter version of the Ki.67. See Ki.109. Ki.105 Ohtori, Kokusai A powered version of the Ku-7 glider, a hasty lash-up to get an aircraft that could carry fuel from Sumatra to Japan. Nine built. Type: Ki.105 Function: transport Year: Crew: Engines: 2 * 690kW Mitsubishi Ha-26-II Speed: 220km/h Ceiling: Range: 2500km Armament: Ki.106, Nakajima Wooden version of the Ki.84, intended for production by semi-skilled labour. Only three built, two were flown. Type: Ki.106 Function: fighter Year: 1945 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 1400kW Nakajima Ha-45-21 Wing Span: Length: Height: 3.59m Wing Area: Empty Weight: 2948kg Max.Weight: 3900kg Speed: 620km/h Ceiling: Range: 800km + 1.5hrs Armament: 4*g20mm Ki.108, Kawasaki The B-29 caused much concern in Japan, because it could operate well above the operational ceiling of most Japanese fighters. The Ki.108 was a derivative of the Ki.102 with a pressure cabin, intended as a B-29 interceptor. Only two were built. Type: Ki.108 Function: fighter Year: 1945 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 1500hp Mitsubishi Ha-112-II-Ru Speed: 630km/h Ceiling: 13500m Range: 1600km Armament: 1*g37mm 2*g20mm Ki.109, Mitsubishi The Ki.67 was the best Japanese medium bomber, and several attempts were made to convert it to a fighter. The Ki.69 gunship version was cancelled in 1942, but in 1944 a version with a new nose containing a 75mm AA cannon in the nose was flown as the Ki.104. The production version was the Ki.109, without gun turret and beam gunners, and intended to be fitted with superchargers -- but none were available. The Ki.109 was a failure in combat. 22 built. Type: Ki.109-Ko Function: fighter Year: 1944 Crew: 4 Engines: 2 * 1900hp Mitsubishi Ha-104 Speed: 550km/h Ceiling: Range: 2200km Armament: 1*g75mm 1*mg12.7mm Ki.110, Tachikawa Development of the Ki.54. None built. Ki.111, Tachikawa Development of the Ki.54 for the transport of fuel. None built. Ki.113, Nakajima Version of the Ki.84 built from steel and wood to replace scarce light alloys. Prototype never completed. Ki.114, Tachikawa Development of the Ki.110. None built. Ki.115 Tsurugi, Nakajima The Ki.115 was a purpose-designed suicide attack aircraft of mixed construction. Handling was bad. 105 were built, but none were used operationally. Type: Ki.115 Function: suicide attack Year: 1945 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 1150hp Nakajima Ha-35 Type 23 Speed: 620km/h Ceiling: Range: 1200km Armament: 800kg Ki.116, Nakajima Version of the Ki.84 with a Mitsubishi Ha-112-II engine -- the Ha-45 was in short suply after the bombing of the production plant. The light engine improved maneuvrability considerably. Ki.117, Nakajima Development of the Ki.84. None built. Ki.200 Shusui, Mitsubishi Army designation of the J8M. Ki.230, Nakajima Development of the Ki.115. Not built. Kikka, Nakajima The Kikka was an imitation of the German Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter. It was smaller, less powerful, and less advanced. It was primarily intended as a bomber, but fighter versions were under development. Only one was flown. Type: Kikka Function: fighter Year: 1945 Crew: 1 Engines: 2 * 475kg Ne-20 Speed: 712km/h Ceiling: 12000m Range: 950km Armament: 800kg KM-2, Fuji Trainer, development of the Beech T-34 Mentor. See also T-3. Type: KM-2B Function: trainer Year: 1978 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 254kW Lycoming IGSO-480-A1A6 Wing Span: 10.01m Length: 8.03m Height: 3.02m Wing Area: 16.50m2 Empty Weight: 1120kg Max.Weight: 1542kg Speed: 377km/h Ceiling: 8170m Range: 965km Ko 3, Nakajima License-built French Nieuport 24 sesquiplane fighter-trainer. Ko 4, Nakajima License-built French Nieuport-Delage 29C1 biplane fighter. Koshiki-2, Tokorozawa Biplane fighter, the first of indigenous design. The Koshik-2 owed much to the French Spad and Salmson biplanes. The design was abandoned because of bad handling characteristics. Two built. Type: Koshiki-2 Year: 1922 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 260hp Salmson 9Z Wing Span: 10.00m Length: 6.60m Height: 2.40m Wing Area: 20.00m2 Empty Weight: 650kg Max. Weight: 950kg Speed: 206km/h Ceiling: Range: 2.0 hrs Armament: 2*mg7.7mm Ku.7 Manazuru, Kokusai Large glider with twin tail booms, capable of carrying 32 troops or an 8-ton tank. No production. Ku.8, Kokusai 'Gander' or 'Goose' (Army Type 4 Large Transport Glider) A high-wing glider. The blunt-nose Ku 8 could carry 20 troopers or a small cannon; originally it was an Ki.59 without engines. KV107, Kawasaki Tandem-rotor helicopter, license-built Boeing Vertol 107. --L-------------------------------------------------------------------------- L1N, Nakajima Navy version of the Ki.34. L2D, Showa / Nakajima 'Tabby' (Naval Type 0 Transport Aircraft) Japanese version of the Douglas DC-3. 485 built. Type: L2D2 Function: transport Year: 1941 Crew: 3-5 Engines: 2 * 795kW Mitsubishi Kinsei 43 Speed: 354km/h Ceiling: 10900m Range: 3220km Load: 21 seats, 4500kg L3Y, Mitsubishi / Yokosuka 'Tina' (Naval Type 96 Transport Aircraft) Transport version of the G3M, developed by the Naval Arsenal at Kasumigaura. Type: L3Y1 Function: transport Year: Crew: Engines: 2 * Mitsubihi Kinsei 3 Speed: Ceiling: 7500m Range: Armament: 1*mg7.7mm L4M, Mitsubishi Navy designation of the Ki.57. L7P, Nihon Amphibian transport. Two built. Type: L7P1 Function: transport Year: 1942 Crew: Engines: 2 * 520kW Nakajima Kotobuki Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: LB-2, Nakajima Bomber. No production. LM, Fuji Liaison version of the Fuji KM-2. LO, Tachikawa 'Thelma' License-built Lockheed 14. 119 built. Type: LO Function: transport Year: Crew: 3 Engines: 2 * 660kW Mitsubishi Ho-26-I Speed: 418km/h Ceiling: Range: Load: 12 seats Lockheed 14 'Toby' Imported US civil transport. LR-1, Mitsubishi Version of the MU-2 for liaison and reconaissance. LXG, Hitachi Type: HXG 1 Function: liaison (C.O.D.) Year: 1933 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 110kW Tokyo Jimpu 3 Speed: 215km/h Ceiling: 4700m Range: 720km Load: 3 seats --M-------------------------------------------------------------------------- M6A Seiran, Aichi Japan, the U.S. and Germany have built small reconaissance aircraft intended to be carried by submarines, but the M6A was unique. It was a powerful submarine-based attack aircraft. The plan was that special 4700ton I-400 class submarines would bring the M6A's close to the installations of the Panama canal. About 30 built, including the M6A1-K Nanzan. Type: M6A1 Function: attack Year: 1945 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 1400hp Aichi Atsuta 32 Speed: 475km/h Ceiling: 9900m Range: 1190km Armament: 850kg 1*mg13mm M6A Nanzan, Aichi The M6A1-K Nanzan was a landplane trainer version of the M6A. Retractable undercarriage, no wing folding, folding fin top deleted. Mi-go, Aichi Experimental single-engined reconaissance seaplane. Four built. 1924. 1MF5, Mitsubishi Type: 1MF5 Function: fighter Year: 1923 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 220kW Hispano-Suiza V-8 Speed: 213km/h Ceiling: Range: 2h 35m Armament: 2*mg7.7mm 1MF9 Taka, Mitsubishi Two built. Type: 1MF9 Function: fighter Year: 1927 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 440kW Hisapno-Suiza Speed: 245km/h Ceiling: Range: 3h 30m Armament: 2*mg7.7mm 2*b30kg MS, Nakajima See E8N. MU-2, Mitsubishi Twin-engined high-wing business aircraft, also in service with the JASDF. The MU-2 is used as SAR aircraft, navigation trainer and liaison aircraft. Type: MU-2S Function: SAR Year: Crew: Engines: 2 * Wing Span: Length: Height: Wing Area: Empty Weight: Max.Weight: Speed: Ceiling: Range: Load: MXY-5, Yokosuka Experimental transport aircraft. Twelve built. MXY-6, Canard glider, aerodynamic test aircraft for the J7W. MXY-7 Ohka, Yokosuka 'Baka' Called 'Baka' (fool) by the U.S. soldiers, this was a manned flying bomb. The Ohka was carried close to its target by a modified G4M bomber, and then entered a powered 926km/h dive to its target. The Ohka had a 1200kg warhead. The Ohka 22 was a jet-engined version; the 33 was also jet-engined but was never built, and the 43 was either intended to be catapult-launched, or a two-seat training version known as Wakazakura. 852 built. 74 used in combat; it estimated that onyl 4 reached their targets. Type: Ohka 11 Function: suicide attack Year: 1945 Crew: 1 Engines: 3 * 800kg Type 4 Mk.I Model 20 Speed: 648km/h Ceiling: Range: 37km Armament: 1200kg MXY-8 Akikusa, Yokosuka Wooden glider version of the J8M, intended as trainer. --N-------------------------------------------------------------------------- N1K Kyofu, Kawanishi 'Rex' The N1K was a floatplane fighter. It was a small wid-wing aircraft with a large central floats and small outriggers. The operational need for such aircraft evaporated. About 90 built. Type: N1K1 Function: fighter Year: 1943 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 1530hp Mitsubishi MK4E Kasei 15 Speed: 490km/h Ceiling: 10560m Range: 1670km Armament: 2*g20mm 2*mg 60kg N1K Shiden, Kawanishi 'George' The N1K1-J was a landplane version of the impressive N1K1 Kyofu 'Rex' seaplane fighter. It showed to be one of the best Japanese fighters, with an unmatched maneuvrability, sturdy, powerful, and well armed. Structure was heavy and complex, and the N1K2-J was a thoroughly redesigned aircraft, more adapted to the landplane configuration. 1453 built. Type: N1K2-J Function: fighter Year: 1944 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 1990hp Nakajima Homare 21 Speed: 594km/h Ceiling: 10760m Range: 1720km Armament: 4*g20mm 2*b250kg NAF-1, Nakajima Two-seat fighter biplane for carriers. One built. Type: NAF-1 Function: fighter Year: 1932 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 530hp Bristol Jupiter Speed: 278km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 3*mg7.7mm NAF-2, Nakajima Two-seat carrier fighter biplane. The NAF-2 was more modern than the NAF-1, and met the Navy's requirements; but the Navy changed its policy. Two built. Type: NAF-2 Function: fighter Year: 1934 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 580hp Nakajima Kotobuki 2 Speed: 300km/h Ceiling: Range: 4h 30m Armament: 3*mg7.7mm Nakajima Type 91 Fighter Parasol wing single-seat fighter, developed from the NC. 450 built. Type: Type 91-I Function: fighter Year: 1931 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 330kW Bristol Jupiter Speed: 300km/h Ceiling: 9000m Range: 2h Armament: 2*mg7.7mm Nakajima 7-Shi Fighter Navalised development of the Type 91. One built. NC, Nakajima This parasol-wing fighter was not accepted by the Army. Two late prototypes were the first Type 91 fighters, but these were completely redesigned aircraft that had little in common with the original NC. Six built. Type: NC Function: fighter Year: 1928 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 450hp Bristol Jupiter VI Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: NJ, Nakajima See E4N2. NY, Nakajima See A2N. NZ, Nakajima Float biplane. No production. --O-------------------------------------------------------------------------- --P-------------------------------------------------------------------------- P1Y Ginga / Kyokko, Yokosuka 'Frances' Twin-engined medium bomber (Ginga) and night fighter (Kyokko). The P1Y was maneuvrable, sturdy, had long range and could outruna allied fighters at low level. But it appeared when Japan was already defeated and many were sent on suicide missions. 1098 built. Type: P1Y1 Function: bomber Year: 1945 Crew: 3 Engines: 2 * 1820hp Nakajima Homare 11 Speed: 547km/h Ceiling: 9400m Range: 5300km Armament: 2*g20mm 1000kg P-2J, Kawasaki-Lockheed Turboprop-engined development of the P-2 Neptune. Type: P-2J Function: reconaissance / ASW Year: 1969 Crew: 12 Engines: 2 * 2280kW G.E. T64-IHI-10E 2 * 15.2kN Ishikawajima-Harima J3-IHI-7D Speed: 402km/h Ceiling: 9150m Range: 4450km Armament: 8000lb P-3 Orion, Lockheed Four-turboprop ASW aircraft of US design, license-built in Japan. Japan also received EP-3C electronic warfare aircraft. PA, Nakajima See Ki-11. PE, Nakajima Prototype of the Ki.27. PS-1, Shin Meiwa Big four-engined amphibian, for ASW tasks. 23 delivered; the last one was retired in 1989. Type: PS-1 Function: reconaissance / ASW Year: 1970 Crew: 9 Engines: 4 * 2282kW G.E.-IHI T64-IHI-10 Speed: 547km/h Ceiling: 9000m Range: 4744km Armament: --Q-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q, Nakajima Three-seat biplane dive bomber. No production. 1936. Q1W Tokai, Kyushu 'Lorna' Anti-submarine warfare was one of the weakest points of the Japanese Navy. The losses of transport ships were disastrous, to the extent that the Japanese fleet had the stay at Singapore and use unrefined oil, because it was unpossible to transport it to Japan. The Q1W represented an attempt to built a dedicated ASW aircraft. It was a light twin-engined aircraft, equipped with a primitive MAD and radar and a good forward and downward view. The 153 built suffered heavy losses and achieved nothing. Type: Q1W1 Function: ASW Year: 1944 Crew: 1 Engines: 2 * 610hp Hitachi GK2C Amakaze 31 Speed: 322km/h Ceiling: 4490m Range: 3240km Armament: 1-2*mg20mm 1*mg7.7mm 2*b250kg Q3W Nankai, Kyushu ASW development of the K11W. One built. 1945. --R-------------------------------------------------------------------------- R2Y Keiun, Yokosuka Fast land-based reconaissance aircraft with two coupled 1700hp Atsuta 30 engines, driving three-bladed contrarotaing propellors. The prototype was destroyed by bombardment after its first flight. Ro-Ko, Yokosuka See Yokosho. RZ, Nakajima Dive bomber. No production. --S-------------------------------------------------------------------------- S1A Denko, Aichi Two built, the last known Aichi design. Type: Denko Function: night fighter Year: 1945 Crew: 2 Engines: 2 * 1385kW Nakajima Homar NK9K-S Speed: 589km/h Ceiling: Range: Armament: 4*g30mm 2*g20mm 490kg Salmson 2A2 This was Kawasaki's first aircraft, a French reconaissance biplane. It built 300 2A2's for the Army. Seishiki 1 Two-seat biplane, 100hp Daimler engine. Seishiki 2 100hp Daimler engine, max. speed 85mph. Sjinryu Suicide aircraft, a glider, equipped with rockets for take-off. Not built. Soga Two-seat biplane, 90hp Austro-Daimler engine. SS-1, Tachikawa Devlopment of the LO with a pressure cabin. 795kW Mitsubushi Ha-102 engines. One built. SS-2, Shin Meiwa Factory designation of the PS-1 and US-1. --T-------------------------------------------------------------------------- T-1 Jayhawk, Beech The T-1 is a trainer version of the Beechjet 400 business aircraft, developed for the USAF. The JASDF also selected it. T-1, Fuji Swept-wing jet trainer, very similar the the F-86 Sabre. About 60 were built, that replaced the T-6 Texan in the Japanese air force. Type: T-1A (T1F2) Function: trainer Year: 1958 Crew: 2 Engines: 1 * 1814kg Bristol Siddeley Orpheus 805 Wing Span: 10.50m Length: 12.12m Height: 4.08m Wing Area: 22.22m2 Empty Weight: 2420kg Max.Weight: 4150kg Speed: 926km/h Ceiling: 14630m Range: 1950km Armament: 1*mg12.7mm 680kg T1F, Fuiji See T-1. T-2, Mitsubishi Fast jet trainer. Supersonic trainers are a rare breed; the F-1 is similar in layout to the British/French Jaguar attack aircraft: short span wings with moderate sweep, retangular side intakes, and strongly anhedralled tailplane. 96 built. Type: T-2 Function: trainer Year: 1975 Crew: 2 Engines: 2 * 20.95kN Ishikawajima-Harima TF40-IHI-801A Speed: M1.6 Ceiling: 15240m Range: 2590km Armament: 1*g20mm 907kg T-3, Fuji See KM-2. T-4, Kawasaki Twin-engined, high-wing jet trainer that is replacing the T-33 and Fuji T-1. Type: T-4 Function: trainer Year: 1988 Crew: 2 Engines: 2 * 16.28kN Ishikawajima-Harima XF3-30 Speed: 1038km/h Ceiling: 15239m Range: 1668km Armament: T-5, Fuji Improved T-3 with an Allison 250-B17D turboprop engine. T-33, Lockheed The T-33 jet trainer was used in large numbers by the JASDF. The last T-33 was disbanded in 1990, but the aircraft remained in service. Kawasaki built 210. Tachikawa Type: Tachikawa Function: ambulance Year: 1933 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 95kW Cirrus Hermes IV Speed: 180km/h Ceiling: 4500m Range: Load: 2 stretchers, 1 seat Tellier Biplane flying boat. 200hp engine. TK-3, Kokusai See Ki.59. TL-1, Fuji Version of the KM-2 / T-3 for the Japanese land forces. Two delivered. --U-------------------------------------------------------------------------- U-36, Learjet / Shin Meiwa Combat trainer version of the Learjet 36A business jet. Entered service in 1987; acquisition of six was planned. U-125, British Aerospace See BAe.125 UF-XS A much-modified Grumman Albatross flying boat, with four engines in the wing leading edge and two to deliver compressed air, a T-tail and a lengthened fuselage. Research aircraft for the PS-1 programme. US-1 Shin Meiwa SAR amphibian, version of the PS-1. Ten delivered. Type: US-1 Function: SAR Year: 1975 Crew: 9-12 Engines: 4 * 2282kW T64-IHI-10 Speed: 496km/h Ceiling: 8230m Range: 4207km Load: 69 seats --V-------------------------------------------------------------------------- --W-------------------------------------------------------------------------- --X-------------------------------------------------------------------------- --Y-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Y3B, Nakajima Torpedo bomber. The upper wing was gulled and the lower one was an inverted gull wing. Yi-Ko, Yokosuka Floatplane trainer. 70 built. YM, Nakajima See A4N. Yokosho, Yokosuka The first indigenous Japanese design. 218 built. Type: Yokosho Function: Year: 1917 Crew: Engines: 1 * 200hp Hispano-Suiza Speed: Ceiling: Range: Armament: YS-11, NAMC Twin-engined transport. Two in service; one was reengined and converted for the EW role. Type: YS-11 Sr 200 Function: transport Year: 1964 Crew: 2 Engines: 2 * 2250kW R.R. Dart Mk.542-10k Speed: 470km/h Ceiling: 7000m Range: 1100km Load: 6600kg, 60 seats --Z-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ============================================================================= List of allied code names. General rules (not always followed) were: * Fighters and reconaissance seaplanes have boys' names. * Bombers, dive-bombes, torpedo-bombers, seaplanes and reconaissance aircraft were given girls' names. * Transport aircraft were given girls' names beginning with T. * Trainers were given the names of trees. * Gliders were given the names of birds. Abdul Nakajima Ki.27 (Unofficial) Adam Nakajima SKT-97. Did not exist. Alf Kawanishi E7K Ann Mitsubishi Ki.30 Babs Mitsubishi C5M Babs Mitsubishi Ki.15 Belle Kawanishi H3K Ben Nagoya-Sento KI-001. Did not exist. Bess Heinkel He 111. Not in Japanese service. Betty Mitsubishi G4M Betty Mitsubishi G6M Bob Achi 97 seapleane. Did not exist. Bob Kawasaki Ki-28 Cedar Tachikawa Ki.17 Cherry Yokosuka H5Y Clara Tachikwawa Ki.70 Claude Mitsubishi A5M Cypress Kyushu K9W Dave Nakajima E8N Dick Seversky A8V Dinah Mitsubishi Ki.46 Doc Messerschmitt Bf 110. Not in Japanese service. Doris Mitsubishi B-97. Did not exist. Edna Mitsubishi Ki.71 Emily Kawanishi H8K Eva Not a military aircraft. Eve Not a military aircraft. Frances Yokosuka P1Y Ginga / Kyokko Frank Mitsubihi TK-4. Did not exist. Frank Nakajima Ki.84 Hayate Fred Focke-Wulf Fw 190. Not in Japanese service. Gander Kokusai Ku-8. George Kawanishi N1K1-J and N1K2-J Glenn Yokosuka E14Y Goose Kokusai Ku-8 Grace Aichi B7A Ryusei Gus Nakajima AT-27. Did not exist. Hamp Mitsubishi A6M Reisen with clipped wing tips. Hap Mitsubishi A6M Reisen with clipped wing tips, renamed 'Hamp'. Hank Aichi E10A Harry Mitsubishi TK-4. Did not exist. Helen Nakajima Ki.49 Donryu Hickory Tachikawa Ki.54 Ida Tachikawa Ki.36 Ida Tachikawa Ki.55 Ione Aichi AI-104. Did not exist. Irene Junkers Ju 87. Not in Japanese service. Irving Nakajima J1N Gekko Jack Mitsubishi J2M Raiden Jake Aichi E13A Janice Junkers Ju 88. Not in Japanese service. Jean Yokosuka B4Y Jerry Heinkel He 112. Jill Nakajima B6N Jim Nakajima Ki.43 (unofficial) Joe TK-19. Did not exist. Joyce Tachikawa. Did not exist. Judy Yokosuka D4Y Julia Type 97 heavy bomber. Did not exist. (Was Ki.48) June Seaplane version of Aichi D3A. Did not exist. (Was E13A) Kate Nakajima B5N Kate 61 Mitsubishi B5M Laura Aichi E11A Lily Kawasaki Ki.48 Liz Nakajia G5N Loise Mitsubishi Ki-2 Lorna Kyushu Q1W Tokai Louise Mitsubishi Ki-2 Luke Mitsubishi J4M Mabel Mitsubishi B5M Mavis Kawanishi H6K Mike Messerschmitt Bf 109. Not in Japanese service. Millie Vultee VG-11. Not in Japanese service. Myrt Nakajima C6N Saiun Nate Nakajima Ki.27 Nell Mitsubishi G3M Nick Kawasaki Ki.45 Toryu Norm Kawanishi E15K Shiun Norma Type 97 light bomber, did not exist. (Was Ki-15) Oak Kawanishi K10W Omar Suzukaze 20. Did not exist. Oscar Nakajima Ki.43 Hayabusa Pat Tachikawa Ki.74 Patsy Tachikawa Ki.74 Paul Aichi E16A Zuiun Peggy Mitsubishi Ki.67 Perry Kawasaki Ki.10 Pete Mitsubishi F1M Pine Mitsubishi K3M Randy Kawasaki Ki.102 Ray Mitsubishi Type 1. Did not exist. (Was A6M) Rex Kawanishi N1K Kyofu Rita Nakajima G8N Renzan Rob Kawasaki Ki.64 Rufe Nakajima A6M, floatplane version of the A6M 'Zeke'. Ruth Fiat BR 20 Sally Mitsubishi Ki.21 Sam Mitsubishi A7M Reppu Slim Watanabe E9W Sonia Mitsubishi Ki.51 Spruce Tachikawa Ki.9 Stella Kokusai Ki.76 Susie Aichi D1A Tabby Showa / Nakajima L2D. Tess Douglas DC-2 Thalia Kawasaki Ki.56 Thelma Tachikawa LO Theresa Kokusai Ki.59 Thora Nakajima Ki.34 Tina Mitsubishi L3Y Toby Lockheed 14 Tojo Nakajima Ki.44 Shoki Tony Kawasaki Ki.61 Hien Topsy Kawasaki Ki.57 Trixie Junkers Ju 52/3m. Not in Japanese service. Trudy Focke Wulf Fw 200. Not in Japanese service. Val Aichi D3A Willow Yokosuka K5Y Zeke Mitsubishi A6M Reisen ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ List of Japanese names of aircraft, aircraft carriers, and engines. Akikusa Autumn Grass Amagi Castle in the Sky (also a mountain, laid down as a battleship) Amakaze Asakaze Morning Wind Atsuta Chitose Thousand Years Chiyoda Thousand Generations Chuyo Middle Sea Denko Lightning Bolt Donryu Storm Dragon Fugaku Funryu Raging Dragon Gekko Moonlight Ginga Milky Way Hayabusa Peregrine Falcon Hayate Gale Hien Swallow Hikari Hiryu Blue Dragon Hiyo Bright Sea Homare Honour Hosho Flying Bird Jinrai Thunderclap Junyo Deep Sea Kamikaze Divine Wind Karigane Wild Goose Kasei Mars Katsuragi Eternity Kayo Eternal Sea Keiun Beautiful Cloud Kikka Orange Blossom Kinsei Golden Star Kotobuki Kyofu Mighty Wind Kyokko Aurora Mamoru Protector Manazuru Crane Momiji Maple Myojo Venus Nankai South Sea Nanzan Southern Mountain Ohtori Phoenix Ohka Cherry Blossom Raiden Thunderbolt Reisen Zero Fighter, contraction of 'Rei Shiki Sentoki' Renzan Mountain Range Reppu Hurricane Ryuho Mythological Dragon Ryujo Sacred Dragon Ryusei Shooting Star Saiun Painted Cloud Sakae Prosperity Seiran Mountain Haze Shoho Flying Bird Shoki Demon Queller Shiden Violet Lightning Shinden Magnificent Lightning Shinyo Holy Sea Shinzan Mountain Recess Shiragiku White Chrysanthemum Shiun Violet Cloud Shokaku Flying Crane Shusui Sword Stroke Soryu Flying Dragon Suisei Comet Taiho Mythological Bird Taiyo Spirit of the Ocean Tempu Tenzan Heavenly Mountain Tokai Eastern Sea Toryu Dragon Slayer Tsurugi Unryu Dragon in the clouds Unyo Sea of Clouds Zuiho Auspicious Bird Zuikaku Auspicious Crane Zuisei Holy Star Zuiun Auspicious Cloud ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The designations of Japanese military aircraft are simple; the situation becomes complictaed only because the Navy and the Army each had two systems. Officially, Japanese naval aircraft were indicated by a description of their function and a number, according to the year the production started. The A6M was called Carrier-borne fighter Type 0 because in entered service in the Japanese year 2600 (1940). A model number was used to indicate the versions. From the mid-thirties two-digit model numbers were used; the first digit indicated the airframe, the second digit the engine. In 1943 the numbering system was abandoned, because it was too informative about the year of service entry of an aircraft. From then aircraft were referred to by their names. In the lates 20's the Imperial Japanese Navy introduced a short designation system for its aircraft, very similar to that of its oppononent, the USN. This system had: * A function letter * A sequential number for aircaft with this function letter. Numbers are sequential in the sense that a number is assigned to each requirement; aircraft have the same numbers (E11A, E11K) if they were built to the same requirement. * A manufacturer letter. * A number to indicate the subtype * Sometimes a letter to indicate a minor subtype. * If a version of the aircraft was developed with another function, the appropiate letter was apppended to the designation, with a dash. Function letters used by the Japanese Navy: A Carrier-borne fighter B Carrier-borne (Torpedo) bomber C Reconaissance, wheeled undercarriage D Carrier-borne Dive bomber E Reconaissance seaplane F Observation seaplane G Land-based bomber H Flying boat J Land-based fighter K Trainer L Transport M Special seaplane MX Special purpose N Fighter seaplane P Bomber Q Patrol R Land-based reconaissance S Night fighter Manufacturer letters used by the Japanese Navy: A Aichi D Showa K Kawanishi M Mitsubishi N Nakajima P Nihon V Seversky W Watanabe W Kyushu Y Yokosuka (Naval Arsenal) The official designation system of the Japanes Army also used year numbers, similar to the IJN system except that the year 2600 was referred to as year 100, not 0. Simple model numbers were used with alphabetical suffixes. The Japanese Army from 1932 onwards numbered aircraft that had been built to its requirements in the 'Ki' (Kitai, airframe) series with a simple sequential system -- until 1944, when anomalies were introduced for security reasons. An exception was made later for gliders, that were given 'Ku' (Guraida) numbers. Aircraft that were not designed to an Army requirement were not given Ki numbers, as the Ka-1 and the LO. Different versions of an aircraft were indicated with Roman numerals, and minor modifications were indicated with the Ko, Otsu, Hei, Tei,... sequence of suffixes. But a major modififaction would be indicated with a Kaizo symbol, normally transliterated as KAI. The letter sequence used for minor modifications is Ko, Otsu, Hei, Tei, Bo, Ki, Ko, Shin, Jin and Ki -- the first and seven are different characters in writing. They have no real alphabetic or numerical significance and are more akin to North, South, East, West in idea. Only the first four were commonly used. =============================================================================