Mitsubishi A6M

Design

The Mitsubishi A6M was a hunter light embarked bomber used by the Japanese Marine of 1940 with 1945.

Whereas the official code name used on the side combined for this plane was “Zeke”, it was better known under the name of “Zero” because of its designation in the marine Japanese, hunter of Porte-avions Type 0, i.e. Rei shiki Kanjo sentoki (零式艦上戦闘機), shortened in Rei-SEN. Conceived as from 1937, under the emperor Shōwa by the team of the chief engineer of Mitsubishi, Jiro Horikoshi, already conceptrice of the first hunter entirely Japanese, the Mitsubishi A5M '' Claude '', it flew as of on April 1st 1939.

Equipped with an excellent maneuverability and a very long operating range, thanks to its Aerodynamic, with the Structure of its Aerofoil, and its Design sacrificing any form of protection for the profit of weight, it exceeded its first American competitors , but its forces being also its weaknesses, its construction light and its lack of power condemned it vis-a-vis the US hunters of second Génération appearing starting from the Bataille of Midway, the such Republic P-47 '' Thunderbolt '', the Grumman F6F '' Hellcat '', the Chance Vought F4U Corsair and the Lockheed P-38 Ligthning more reliable, faster, more robust, profiting from a fuel of better quality, richer in Octane and especially of a more effective method of new many Formation to form pilot. This initial superiority of the Zero, towards the end of 1941, vis-a-vis modest the Aéronef S American of the time weighed heavy in the balance at the time of the choice of the Japanese of launching the offensive against Pearl Harbor.

A6M2 model 11

The first 15 specimens of preproduction were sent in China in July 1940 for evaluation in real conditions. The result was not made wait, and a6M2 swept sky all that was opposed to them, so much so that the Chinese carefully avoided fighting against the Zeros with their I-15 and I-16. The Westerners who however had the possibility of being interested in the Zero continued to accept the indigence of Japanese aeronautics. They were going to regret it.

Model 11 is also known under the name A6M2a in opposition to the model 21 which is A6M2b.

Production: 64

A6M2 model 21

The sailors had problems with salmons of models 11 in the aircraft carriers. The first evolution of the Zero thus consisted in modifying the wing so that the salmons are folding. It will be a6M2 model 21 (to include/understand 2nd type of cell, 1st type of engine). Some details will evolve/move on model 21 such as the appearance of a counterweight of aileron to relieve the effort at high speeds, a recurring problem on the Zero which will never really be corrected.

Production: 740

A6M3 model 32

A6M3 model 32 was introduced in spring 1942 during the battle of the Solomon (Guadalcanal). Important modification: the engine Nakajima Sakae 12 of 940 ch was replaced by a NK1F Sakae 21 or ha-35-21 equipped with a two-speed compressor delivering 1  130 ch au takeoff. The establishment of this new longer mechanics required the displacement of the wall fire protection of 20 cm (8 inches) to the detriment of the capacity while carburizing. Driving hooding changed form and the intake air of the compressor was laid out in top instead of the “tunnel” in bottom. The guns laid out of 100 shells each one instead of the 60 initial ones.

But the most visible change is the disappearance of folding wing tips to improve the rate of roll but also the production. American believed to deal with new plane which they baptized Hamp instead of Zeke , but they carried out their error quickly. Maximum speed passed from 288 kt to only 294 kt

Production: at least 343

A6M3 model 22

To try to find an autonomy comparable with model 21 following the increase in the consumption of Sakae 21 and reduction in the volume of the tank, engineers de Mitsubishi installed 2 new tanks of 45l in each wing. To maintain the wing load equivalent to type 32, the folding salmons were restored. From where type 2-2 (cell 2, engine 2). It is normal that a6M3 model 22 appears after model 32! Some models 22a accepted the standard gun 20mm 99 model 2 mk3 with long tube of the future versions. Some experimental models based with Rabaul used guns of 30mm.

Production: 560

A6M4

There was no series 4, a6M4 used a turbocompressor which was never developed. Japanese had many vexations with the turbocompressors during all the war. Moreover, it would seem that the figure `4' homophon of the Kanji meaning Shi died, has a symbolic system close to our `13'.

Certain sources quote it as being the series of prototype or the first specimens of model 52 based on the cell of the model 22a during the phase of transition.

A6M5 model 52

Still not managing to develop A7M Reppu (and especially paining to make decisions), the Navy asked for an apparatus improved to make a junction which never took place. In August 1943, a model 22a was modified by increasing the thickness of the coating of the wings and of salmons of reduced size were installed in a fixed way. Moreover, the engine accepted propelling separate pipes of exhaust. Although heavier of 70kg, new model 52 was faster of 11kt on the level compared to model 32 but especially, its maximum speed in piqué was increased with 660km/h. But these improvements were not enough and the Zero 52 were massacred by the Hellcat.

In March 1944, the model 52a appeared in first line. The still increased thickness of the coating allowed a speed in piqué of 740km/h (Corsair pricked with 790km/h). The guns mk4 accepted 125 shells each one (instead of 100) by substitution of the drums by bands.

The model 52b saw a real improvement of the capacity to box the blows and to return some. An armor-plated windshield of 50mm as of the extinguishers of tanks was installed. And a machine-gun of cap Type 3 of 13.2mm replaced one of those of 7.7mm. It is probably the best version led to the combat in general aptitudes.

The model 52c launched in the urgency after the massacre of the Filipino . In spite of the obsolescence of the cell, it was necessary to improve the Zero because the production of J2M Raiden did not start. A6M5c incorporated a dorsal shielding for the pilot, a central tank car-sealing and 2 machine-guns of 13,2mm of wings outside the guns. The machine-gun of 7.7mm of cap disappeared. The engineers claimed with the Marine the right to install largest Mitsubishi Kinsei to avoid the foreseeable increase in the weight. Once again, the Navy by an incredible opposition to progress still refused and imposed Sakae 21 while waiting for the availability of Sakae 31 whose power was to be higher thanks to the injection of water and Méthanol. The performances crumbled.

A hunter of night was developed starting from model 52 by adding a gun to oblique shooting in the fuselage. It was A6M5d-S, a semi-official denomination, `being itself the suffix of the hunters of night (example J1N1-S Gekko).

Production: model 52: 747+, model 52a: 391+, model 52b: 470, model 52c: 93

A6M6 model 53

The prototype of A6M6c (Zero 53c) stole in November 1944. In addition to the engine Sakae 31a (of which the power higher than 1130ch du Sakae 21 does not appear in any work), the tanks of wings of 45l accepted a car-sealing coating. The maximum speed of 300kt (5 less than the 52) by using the water injection was only theoretical because the quality of manufacture of the engines and the cells dropped dangerously for lack of raw materials of quality and deficit of competence of the labor. Skilled workers being embrigadés in the army. Moreover, the raids of the B-29 on the factories of engines were going nothing to arrange.

Production: no figures, which is certain, very little. Only one prototype according to certain sources.

A6M7 model 63

The combat units modified the support of central tanks to hang a bomb of 250kg there on the previous models. It will be done of series on a6M7 model 63.

Intended to be used like a bomber in piqué, model 63 had a support of bomb and points of anchoring for two external reservoirs of 350l of wings and a back plan with the coating thickened to resist the efforts. The production started in May 1945.

Production: no figures, and as for A6M6c, little.

A6M8 model 54/64

As Nakajima concentrated on the production of the powerful engine 18 cylinders 2000ch Homare become priority, it was necessary to stop slowly the production of the Sakae. Mitsubishi was then finally authorized to use the reliable one and powerful engine Mitsubishi 14 cylinders MK8P Kinsei 62.-62 of 1560ch. Cette tested mechanics had been effectively adapted on the Ki-61 of the army (from where the Ki-100) and D4Y of the marine. As Kinsei was larger, it required a new hooding and the machine-gun of cap disappeared. Since the beginning of the program, the weight-power ratio increased finally. The first prototype was finished in April 1945 and the encouraging results pushed the Navy to be ordered not less than 6300 A6M8! No however the combat will see because the stagnation caused by the bombardments and the shortage of materials had completely disorganized the production. The prototypes of a6M8 used cells of 52c from where name Zero 54, but the specimens of series were to use the cell of model 63, from where name Zero 64.

Production: 6300 envisaged, not of specimen of series

Engagements

The Mitsubishi A5M '' Claude '' tie-beam right in service with the beginning of the year 1937 when the Japanese Imperial Navy was put in the search of a possible successor. In May, it had put at the point a certain number of specifications for a new embarked hunter which was sent to Nakajima and at Mitsubishi. The two companies began their work very while waiting for additional details.

Being based on the experiment of a5M in China, the Japanese navy sent these additional details in October and thus requested a speed of 500 km/h from 4000 m and a climbing speed of 3  000 m in 3,5 min. They needed an operating range 2 hours at normal power which was to go up up to 6 or 8 hours of economic speed with additional tanks. The armament was to comprise two guns of 20 mm and two machine-guns of 7,7 mm, and the plane was to be able to carry two bombs of 30 or 60 kg. All the futures “Zero” were to be equipped with equipment radio. Lastly, maneuverability was to be at least as good as with a5M, while the scale was to be lower than 12 m to be able to hold on the Porte-avions. Nakajima found the new specifications ridiculous while the foreman of Mitsubishi agreed that they could be respected but only if one manufactured the plane as light as possible. Thus all was implemented to gain in weight, the originators made an intensive use of the new alloy Duraluminium.

Per hour of Pearl Harbor, there were only 420 “Zero” credits in the Pacific. There were higher than their American counterpart until 1943 but remained mortals between good hands until the end of the war. More 11  000 specimens were produced by it thanks to its facility of construction.

Conceived for the attack, the “Zero” were a model of maneuverability, of firepower to the detriment of protection because only the last versions were provided with a shielding, unfortunately quite ridiculous. So much from “Zeros” were lost with the combat as soon as the allies gave up the Dogfight (whirling combat) privileging the most handy apparatus, for the Yoyo or tackles in piqué then binomial resource favorable to the more powerful apparatuses and presenting a greater inertia by their shielding. Only one blow with the goal was in general sufficient to destroy it.

When the United States controlled the technique of attack from the “Zero”, of new planes like the F6F '' Hellcat '' or the Chance Vought F4U '' Corsair '' were built, which exceeded the “Zero” on all the points, except as for maneuverability. But to correct this defect, it was enough for the American pilots to remember the effective tactics. Thus, the ratio of 1 Japanese plane descended for 1 American plane passed to 10 per 1. The Japanese government did not remain, however, statics and of new planes like the Kawanishi N1K1-J '' Shiden '' (Purple Flash) “George” and especially the Nakajima Ki-84 '' Hayate '' “Frank” were excellent hunters and faced the later models of the United States in a desperate power struggle.

Alternatives

Other characteristics

See too

Gallery

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