In May 1936 the Imperial Japanese Army issued its specification for a light bomber required to supersede the Mitsubishi Ki-2 and Kawasaki Ki-3 then in service. The Mitsubishi Ki-30 prototype that resulted was of cantilever mid-wing monoplane configuration with fixed tailwheel landing gear, the main units faired and spatted, and powered by a 850 hp / 615kW Mitsubishi Ha-6 radial engine. The engine drove a three bladed variable pitch metal propeller. The Ki 30’s two man crew were housed beneath a long raised glazed canopy. Armament comprised a wing mounted forward-firing 7.7 mm (0.303 in) Type 89 machine gun with a similar weapon on a flexible mounting in the rear cockpit operated by the observer. The normal bombload of 300 kg (660 lb) was carried internally in the bomb bay. The Ki 30 was characterized by its fixed undercarriage with single cantilever strut main units fitted with open sided wheel spats.
The first prototype made its initial flight at the army’s Kagamigahara experimental airfield on February 28, 1937. The army specification had called for a maximum speed of 400 km/h (248 mph) and this was easily exceeded. All other requirements were met except that the weight was slightly more than the specified maximum of 3300 kg (7275 lb). The second prototype had a more powerful Nakajima Ha-5 KAI radial engine. This aircraft showed some slight improvement in performance but, in any case, exceeded the army’s original specification, so there was no hesitation in ordering 16 service trials aircraft. These were delivered in January 1938 and, two months later, the Ki-30 was ordered into production.
Production at Mitsubishi’s Nagoya plant started at the beginning of 1938, utilizing an alternative engine, the 960hp Nakajima Ha 5 Kai. Mitsubishi built 636 aircraft up to April 1940, supplemented by 68 completed at the Tachikawa army arsenal workshops between 1939 1941.
In service with six Sentais (groups) and several independent Chutais (squadrons) as the Army Type 97 Light Bomber, first used operationally in China during 1938.
A number were.supplied to Thailand who used them against the French in Indo China during early 1941. When war was declared on Britain and the United States, Ki 30 units operated in the Philippines, but were from then on gradually transferred to training schools from where a number flew kamikaze missions in the summer of 1945. The Allied codename ‘Ann’ was allocated to the Ki-30, but few were seen operationally after the opening phases of the war.
A total of 704 had been built when production ended in 1941, 68 manufactured by the First Army Air Arsenal at Tachikawa.
Ki-30 Engine: 1 x Mitsubisi Ha-6, 710kW Max take-off weight: 3322 kg / 7324 lb Empty weight: 2230 kg / 4916 lb Wingspan: 14.55 m / 47 ft 9 in Length: 10.34 m / 33 ft 11 in Height: 3.65 m / 11 ft 12 in Wing area: 30.58 sq.m / 329.16 sq ft Max. speed: 432 km/h / 268 mph Cruise speed: 380 km/h / 236 mph Ceiling: 8570 m / 28100 ft Range: 1700 km / 1056 miles Crew: 2 Armament: 2 x 7.7mm machine-guns, 300-450kg of bombs
The Mitsubishi F1M development started in 1934, and first flown in June 1936. The F1M1 embodied all the efforts of its designers to achieve an exceptionally clean aerodynamic shape, including low-drag float mountings, single interplane struts and all-metal construction, only the control surfaces being fabric-covered. The early aircraft displayed poor water handling and a lack of in-flight directional stability but after fairly extensive alterations the production F1M2 emerged as a thoroughly efficient aircraft, acceptable in all respects. Initial production by Mitsubishi, begun in 1938, amounted to 524 aircraft before it was transferred to the 21st Naval Air Arsenal (Dai-Nijuichi Kaigun Kokusho) at Sasebo, where a further 590 were built.
The F1M2 equipped all but one of the K-Maru (6,900-ton) and S-Maru (7,200/8,300-ton) classes of converted merchant seaplane tenders, as well as numerous battleships and cruisers of the Imperial Japanese Navy.
Codenamed ‘Pete’ by the Allies, F1M2s were present at the Battle of Midway, two aircraft being launched from the battleship Kirishima (but being lost when the Japanese scuttled the crippled ship at the end of the Battle of the Solomons). The battleships Musashi and Yamato each carried several ‘Petes’ to spot for their 460mm main gun armament at the time of the Marianas battles, but none was used in earnest. The Musashi succumbed to American bombs and torpedoes in the Sibuyan Sea; the Yamato followed her to the bottom on 7 April 1945. ‘Pete’ seaplanes were widely used throughout the Pacific war, accompanying every seaborne landing by Japanese forces, providing gunnery spotting during preliminary bombardment by supporting warships and subsequently serving as covering fighters (and even dive-bombers) once the assault forces were ashore. It was also flown on convoy escort duties with the many supply convoys sailed by the Japanese during the mid-war period.
In the last stages of the war, the type was committed to the unequal task of defending the Japanese homeland from the devastating American raids, serving alongside ‘Rex’ and ‘Rufe’ seaplane fighters with the Otsu Kokutai in 1945.
F1M2 Crew: 2 Engine: 1 x Mitsubishi Tsuisei-13, 655kW Max take-off weight: 2550 kg / 5622 lb Empty weight: 1928 kg / 4251 lb Wingspan: 11 m / 36 ft 1 in Length: 9.5 m / 31 ft 2 in Height: 4 m / 13 ft 1 in Wing area: 29.54 sq.m / 317.97 sq ft Max. speed: 365 km/h / 227 mph Ceiling: 9440 m / 30950 ft Range: 730 km / 454 miles Armament: 3 x 7.7mm machine-guns, 120kg of bombs
The Mitsubishi Ki-21 (Army Type 97 Heavy Bomber) was produced by engineers Nakata and Ozawa in response to an operational specification issued by the Air Headquarters (Daihonei) of the JAAF on 15 February 1936. The original specification, issued in February 1936, had required an aircraft with an endurance of over five hours at an average cruising speed of 300 km/h (186 mph), able to climb to 3000 m (9840 ft) in eight minutes and reach a maximum 400 km/h (248 mph) at that height. Normal crew was to be four, with provision for two more gunners on missions where extensive air opposition was anticipated. Maximum bombload for short range missions was to be 1000 kg (2200 lb). Early production aircraft in fact met or exceeded all these criteria.
In its definitive form the Ki 21 was a midwing monoplane of all metal semi-monocoque construction, and the smoothly contoured fuselage was oval in section. It had a single fin and rudder, and the main under-carriage legs retracted forward into the two engine nacelles.
The first of eight prototypes and service trial aircraft flew on December 18, 1936. It had a square glassed in nose, dorsal gun turret and a ventral step for a lower defensive gun. Later prototypes adopted a long dorsal greenhouse accommodating the gunner’s position, a well contoured hemispherical glassed in nose and a smooth lower fuselage line which eliminated the ventral step. To improve directional stability the fin and rud¬der were redesigned and increased in area. The first prototype had two Mitsubishi Ha 6 825 hp radial engines, while the remaining prototypes and early production machines had 850 hp Nakajima Ha 5 Kais.
Before going into production the Ki 21 had survived a competition with its rival the Nakajima Ki 19. As a consolation a contract was awarded by the Koku Hombu (the army air headquarters) not only to Mitsubishi (432 Model Is built) but also to Nakajima (351 Model Is).
A year late in entering service, some of its technology, compared with that of contemporary foreign aircraft, was not as advanced as the designers Nakata and Ozawa had hoped. The gap left by the delay in delivery of Ki 21s had to be filled by importing Fiat B.R.20 bombers. The first production model being the Mitsubishi Ki-21-Ia (Army Type 97 Model 1A). Because of production bottlenecks it was not until the end of 1939 that Ki-21-la bombers equipped the first JAAF unit, the 60th Hikosentai (air regiment) based in China, the next unit to be equipped was the 61st Sentai.
Early lessons learned over China demonstrated lack of firepower and protection, and the Ki-21-Ib and Ki-21-Ic subvariants had extra armour, additional 7.7mm Type 89 machine-guns, more fuel and larger bomb-bays. The engines were 634kW Nakajima Ha-5 KAI radials.
By the time of the outbreak of war in December 1941, the majority of the Mitsubishi Ki-21-Ia, Ki-21-Ib and Ki-21-Ic bombers had been relegated to second-line duties, or to service as operational bomber trainers. Most army front line bomber units were equipped with the Model 2 version of Ki 21, powered by two 1450 hp / 1119kW Mitsubishi Ha 101 14 cylinder radials driving constant speed three bladed metal propellers, unlike the Ha 5 Kai radials of the earlier version which had variable pitch propellers. The larger and more powerful Ha 101s required larger nacelles, and these completely enclosed the retracted landing wheels in the earlier machines, the wheels were left partly exposed.
Production models in service in 1941 were the Ki-21-IIa (Army Type 97 Heavy Bomber Model 2A), and the Ki-21-IIb which had a pedal-operated dorsal turret with one 12.7mm Type 1 heavy machine gun. Three sentais remained in Japan, Korea and in Manchuria when the Japanese high command went to war in South East Asia. For operations over the Philippines the JAAF’s 5th Air Group, based in Formosa, mustered the 14th and 62nd Hikosentais; these went into action early on the morning of 8 December 1941 striking at Aparri, Tuguegarao, Vigan and other targets in Luzon. Mitsubishi Ki-21s of the 3rd Air Group, based in French Indo-China, were earmarked for bombing strikes against Siam (Thailand) and Malaya: units were the 12th, 60th and 98th Hikosentais. These smashed RAF and RAAF facilities at Alor Star, Sungei Patani and Butterworth, being escorted by Nakajima Ki-27 and Ki-43 fighters. Only over Rangoon over December 1941 and January 1942 did the Ki-21s, codenamed ‘Sally’, suffer heavy casualties.
At its peak the Ki 21 was supplied to 11 first line Sentais and played a considerable part in the Pacific air war. Towards the end of its career lack of Ki 49 and Ki 67 replacements forced the retention of the Ki¬-21 in the first line when it was obsolete and suffering heavy losses. It took part in a number of outstanding actions, perhaps the most notable of which was the suicide mission by nine Model 2s of the 3rd Dokuritsu Hikotai (independent air wing). These were to land on the US occupied airfield at Yontan on Okinawa in the summer of 1945 to launch commando style attacks on airfield installations and aircraft. Only one aircraft survived to deliver its troops, but considerable damage was inflicted before they were wiped out.
The original Ki 21 defensive armament of single flexibly mounted 7.7 mm (0.303 in) Type 89 machine guns mounted in nose, dorsal and ventral positions proved barely adequate even for operations against the poorly equipped Chinese air force, and the Ki 21 Ib had an additional gun in a remotely operated tail stinger position plus another which could be fired from lateral positions on either side of the fuselage. The Ki 21 Ic and IIa had two beam guns while the Ki 21 IIb (688 of which were built between 1942 1944) had a remotely controlled tail stinger position for a 7.7 mm (0.303 in) machine gun, and the dorsal greenhouse replaced by a large conical turret mounting a single 12.7 mm (0.54in) Type 1 machine gun. This latter change greatly altered the appearance of the Ki 21 IIb and for a period it was thought by the Allies to be a new bomber type and given a different codename, Gwen, which was soon dropped when the new version was properly identified.
The bombload of all Ki 21 versions remained the same: a normal load of 750 kg (1653 lb) and a maximum of 1000 kg (2205 lb). The maximum range was 2700 km (1680 miles).
Some Ki 21 Ia bombers were modified during 1940 and put into service as MC 21 freight transports. Formally they passed into civil use as they were operated by the Dai Nihon Koku KK (Greater Japan Airlines) on routes between Japan, China and Manchuria, but all these flights were in fact military contract work, carrying army supplies (or personnel). Although all armament and other equipment appropriate to the bombing role had been removed, the aircraft were externally identical to the bombers, until a number were modified by the fitting of a ‘solid’ nose.
The Ki.21 was coded ‘Jane’ after Gen. MacArthur’s wife but when this came to his attention at the General’s request the code was changed to ‘Sally’,
Code named Sally, a modified model with a smooth dorsal line and a gun turret in place of the ‘greenhouse’ led spotters to believe a new type was entering service. The name ‘Gwen’ was assigned, but soon dropped in favour of ‘Sally 3’ when it was identified as a model variation.
Production of the Ki 21 ceased in September 1944, with the 2064th aircraft.
Ki-21 (Army Type 97 Heavy Bomber) prototype Engines: 2 x Mitsubishi Ha 6 825 hp radial or 850 hp Nakajima Ha 5 Kais. Propellers: variable ¬pitch Span: 22.5m (73ft l0in) Length: 16m (52ft 6in) Height: 4.35 m / 14 ft 3 in Wing area: 69.6 sq.m / 749.17 sq ft
Ki-21-Ia (Army Type 97 Model 1A) Engines: 2 x 850 hp Nakajima Ha 5 Kais. Propellers: variable ¬pitch Span: 22.5m (73ft l0in) Length: 16m (52ft 6in) Height: 4.35 m / 14 ft 3 in Wing area: 69.6 sq.m / 749.17 sq ft Gross weight: 7916 kg (17452 lb) Empty weight: 4691 kg / 10342 lb Maximum speed: 432 km/h (268 mph) at 4000 m (13,125 ft) Ceiling: 8600 m / 28200 ft Range w/max.fuel: 2700 km / 1678 miles Range w/max.payload: 1500 km / 932 miles Crew: 5 Armament: 3 x 7.7mm (0.303 in) Type 89 machine-guns Bombload: 750 kg (1653 lb) – 1000 kg (2205 lb)
Ki-21-Ib Engines: 2 x 634kW Nakajima Ha-5 KAI radials. Propellers: variable ¬pitch Span: 22.5m (73ft l0in) Length: 16m (52ft 6in) Height: 4.35 m / 14 ft 3 in Wing area: 69.6 sq.m / 749.17 sq ft Maximum range: 2700 km (1680 miles) Armament: 4 x 7.7mm (0.303 in) Type 89 machine-guns Bombload: 750 kg (1653 lb) – 1000 kg (2205 lb)
Ki-21-Ic Engines: 2 x 634kW Nakajima Ha-5 KAI radials. Propellers: variable ¬pitch Span: 22.5m (73ft l0in) Length: 16m (52ft 6in) Height: 4.35 m / 14 ft 3 in Wing area: 69.6 sq.m / 749.17 sq ft Maximum range: 2700 km (1680 miles) Armament: 4 x 7.7mm (0.303 in) Type 89 machine-guns Bombload: 750 kg (1653 lb) – 1000 kg (2205 lb)
Ki 21-II Engines: 2 x 1450 hp / 1119kW Mitsubishi Ha 101 14 cylinder radials Props: constant speed three bladed metal Span: 22.5m (73ft l0in) Length: 16m (52ft 6in) Height: 4.35 m / 14 ft 3 in Wing area: 69.6 sq.m / 749.17 sq ft Maximum range: 2700 km (1680 miles) Armament: 4 x 7.7mm (0.303 in) Type 89 machine-guns Bombload: 750 kg (1653 lb) – 1000 kg (2205 lb)
Ki-21-IIa (Army Type 97 Heavy Bomber Model 2A), Engines: 2 x 1450 hp / 1119kW Mitsubishi Ha 101 14 cylinder radials Props: constant speed three bladed metal Span: 22.5m (73ft l0in) Length: 16m (52ft 6in) Height: 4.35 m / 14 ft 3 in Wing area: 69.6 sq.m / 749.17 sq ft Maximum range: 2700 km (1680 miles) Armament: 4 x 7.7mm (0.303 in) Type 89 machine-guns Bombload: 750 kg (1653 lb) – 1000 kg (2205 lb)
Ki-21-IIb Engines: 2 x 1450 hp / 1119kW Mitsubishi Ha 101 14 cylinder radials Props: constant speed three bladed metal Span: 22.5m (73ft l0in) Length: 16m (52ft 6in) Height: 4.35 m / 14 ft 3 in Wing area: 69.6 sq.m / 749.17 sq ft Empty weight: 13,382 lb Gross weight: 9710 kg (21407 lb) Maximum speed: 486 km/h (302 mph) at 4720 m (15,485 ft). Maximum range: 2700 km (1680 miles) Armament: 4 x 7.7mm (0.303 in) Type 89 machine-guns, 1 x 12.7mm Type 1 heavy machine gun. Bombload: 750 kg (1653 lb) – 1000 kg (2205 lb) Crew: 7
As soon as the Imperial Navy expressed its satisfaction with the performance of the Ka-14, the Imperial Army placed a contract with Mitsubishi for a modified example funda¬mentally similar to the second prototype for evaluation as the Ki-18. Powered by a similar Kotobuki 5 to that of the first Ka¬14, the Ki-l8 introduced a longer-chord engine cowling, an enlarged rudder and larger mainwheels and spats. Tested throughout the autumn and winter of 1935, the Ki-18 carried the standard twin 7,7-mm gun armament, but was considered insufficiently agile by conservative Army test pilots, failing to gain favour. Nevertheless, the Ki-18 promoted Army accep¬tance of the coming demise of the biplane as a fighter configuration, resulting in the framing of a requirement for what was termed an “advanced fighter”.
Engine: Kotobuki 5 Max speed, 276 mph (445 km/h) at 10,005 ft (3050 m) Time to 16,405 ft (5000 m), 6.43 min Empty weight, 2,447 lb (1110 kg) Loaded weight, 3,1351b (1422kg) Span, 36ft l¼ in (l1,00m) Length, 25 ft 1 1/5 in (7,65 m) Height, 10 ft 4 in (3,15 m) Wing area, 191.6 sq ft (17,80 sq.m) Armament: twin 7,7-mm gun.
In July 1935 the Imperial Japanese Army drew up its specification for a new two-seat reconnaissance aircraft, and Mitsubishi responded with a can¬tilever low-wing monoplane, the Mit¬subishi Ki-15.
The Ki 15, or Army Type 97 Command Reconnaissance Aircraft, owed its inception to Lieutenant¬ Colonel Yuzo Fujita of the army air force, who collaborated closely in its design with the Mitsubishi engineers Kono, Kubo and Mizumo. It was among the first strategic reconnaissance aircraft to be adopted by any air force. Two prototypes, one military and one civil, were completed, the former making the type’s first flight in May 1936.
Shortly afterwards, the Asahi Shimbun newspaper group purchased the second prototype, which as the Karigane I (wild goose) made a historic flight from Tachikawa to Croydon, a distance of 15 356 km. (9542 miles) in April 1937 in a flying time of approximately 51¼ hours.
Service testing was completed without difficulty and the type was ordered into production under the official designation Army Type 97 Command Reconnaissance Plane Model 1. In May 1937, a year after the first flight, delivery of production aircraft to the army began.
The military Ki 15 was a clean, low wing monoplane, with a 640 hp Nakajima Ha 8 nine cylinder radial engine and a ‘trousered’ and spatted main undercarriage. The pilot and radio operator/observer (who also doubled up as the gunner) sat in tandem cockpits under a long greenhouse canopy. A single 7.7 mm (0.303 in) Type 89 machine gun formed the only defensive armament.
C5M
The army’s Ki-15-I had been received in time to make a significant impact at the beginning of the war with China. The Ki 15 I became operational during the second Sino Japanese war, and was joined in service in late 1939 and early 1940 by the Ki 15 II.
Plans had already been made to upgrade performance of the KI-15-I, this being achieved by installing the 671-kW (900-hp), smaller-diameter Mitsubishi Ha-26-I engine, its in¬corporation providing an opportunity to overcome what had been the major shortcoming of the type, a poor forward field of view past the large-diameter Nakajima engine. The improved version entered production for the army in September 1939 as the Ki¬-15-II, but before that the Japanese navy, impressed by the performance of this aircraft, ordered 20 examples of the Ki-15-II under the official designation Navy Type 98 Reconnaissance Plane Model 1, Mitsubishi designation C5M1 in 1938 (with 780 hp Mitsubishi Suisei 12 radials). The navy acquired two years later 30 C5M2 aircraft that were generally similar except for installation of the more powerful 708-kW (950-hp) Nakajima Sakae (Prosperity) 12 engine. These aircraft serving with two Sentais (air corps) of the naval air force.
The Ki 15 III, with the 1050 hp Ha 102 version, although capable of 530 km/h (329 mph), was itself surpassed by the more modern Mitsubishi Ki 46.
When production ended almost 500 of all versions had been built, the majority being in first-line service when the Pacific war started. Given the Allied codename ‘Babs’, the type was relegated to second-line roles in early 1943, but many survived to be used in kamikaze attacks at the war’s end.
Mitsubishi built 439 in successive models between 1936 40.
Ki-15 Engine: Naka¬jima Ha 8, 640 hp. Armament: one 7.7-mm (0.303-in) machine-gun Crew: 2
Ki-l5-I Powerplant: one 477-kW (640-hp) Nakajima Ha-S radial piston engine Maximum speed 480 km/h (298 mph) at 4000 m (13,125 ft) Cruising speed 320 km/h (199 mph) at 5000 m(16,405 ft) Service ceiling 11400 m (37,400 ft) Range 2400 km (1,491 miles) Empty weight 1400 kg (3,086 lb) Maximum take-off 2300 kg (5,071 lb) Wingspan 12.00 m (39 ft 4.4 in) Length 8.70 m (28 ft 6.5 in) Height 3.35 m (11 ft 0in) Wing area 20.36sq.m (219.16 sq ft) Armament: one 7.7-mm (0.303-in) machine-gun Crew: 2
Ki 15 II Engine: Mitsubishi Ha 102, 850 hp. Armament: one 7.7-mm (0.303-in) machine-gun Crew: 2
Ki 15 III Engine: Mitsubishi Ha 102, 1050 hp Max speed: 530 km/h (329 mph) Armament: one 7.7-mm (0.303-in) machine-gun Crew: 2
In 1933, the Imperial Navy, influenced by trends in Western Europe and the USA, issued both Mitsubishi and Nakajima with a request for proposals for a two-seat shipboard fighter. The Mitsubishi contender, the Ka-8 designed by Jojo Hattori who was assisted by Eitaro Sano and Konosuke Nakainura, was a single-bay equi-span staggered biplane of mixed con¬struction, the fabric-covered wings having duralumin spars and wooden ribs, and the similarly-covered fuselage being of steel tube. An unusual feature of the design was its use of twin endplate fins and rudders. Powered by a 580 hp Nakajima Jupiter II nine-cylinder radial, the Ka-8 carried an armament of two fixed forward-firing 7,7-mm guns and a similar weapon on a rotating mount in the rear cockpit. The first of two prototypes was completed in January 1934, both being delivered to the Navy during the early summer. However, the second prototype broke up in the air over Yokosuka airfield on 16 September, resulting in the suspension of the test programme and the subsequent abandonment of further development.
Engine: Nakajima Jupiter II nine-cylinder radial, 580 hp Max speed, 178 mph (286 km/h) at 9,840 ft (3 000 m) Empty weight, 2,542 lb (1153 kg) Loaded weight, 3,748 lb (1700 kg) Span, 32 ft 9 2/3 in (10,00 m) Length, 24 ft 2 19/20 in (7,39 m) Height, 11 ft 0 in (3,35 m) Wing area, 279.87 sq ft (26,00 sq.m) Armament: 3 x 7,7-mm mg
The Mitsubishi Ki-2 light bomber was developed from the Junkers K 37, an example of which had been imported from Germany in 1931 and donated by public subscription to the Japanese army.
A three-seat cantilever low-wing monoplane, powered by two 425kW Nakajima Kotobuki radials, the Ki-2 prototype flew for the first time in the spring of 1933. It was distinguished easily by its corrugated metal alloy decking and twin fins and rudders, and had fixed divided landing gear, with spat-type main wheel fairings often discarded on service aircraft.
Production of the initial version totalled 113, and the type went into operation against the Chinese with great success under the designation Ki-2-l or Army Type 93 Twin-engined Light Bomber.
The achievements of the Ki-2-l led to the development of the Ki-2-ll, or Army Type 93-2 Twin-engined Light Bomber, the Type 93 then being redesignated retrospectively as the Type 93-1. The Type 93-2 retained the same general configuration, but had a fully-enclosed manually-operated nose turret, an enclosed cockpit for the pilot, and main landing gear legs which semi-retracted forward into the engine nacelles.
The Ki-2-ll had two 559kW Ha-8 radials giving much improved overall performance with maximum speed increased to 283km/h. In total 61 Ki-2-l Is were built, and these joined the Ki-2-ls in operations against the Japanese. Both versions ended their flying careers in the training role.
Ki-2-ll Type 93
Col. MacCoy gave the Ki-2-ll Type 93 the code name ‘Loise’ after his wife although this was later changed to Louise’.
A civilianised version of the Ki-2-ll named Otori (Phoenix) was bought by the Asahi Shimbun newspaper and made a number of long-range record-breaking and ‘goodwill’ flights from 1936 to 1939. Registered J-BAAE, it covered the 4930km from Tachikawa military air base to Bangkok in 21 hours 36 minutes flying time in December 1936, and in early 1939 achieved a round-China flight of some 9300km.
It was thought that the Ohtori was also in Nay service as a Type 96 bomber and coded ‘Eva’. The name was later simplified to ‘Eve’ to avoid phonetic difficulty. When the type was not met in combat, the name was ultimately dropped.
Ki-2-I / Army Type 93 / Type 93-1 Engine: 2 x Nakajima “Kotobuki”, 425kW Span: 19.96 m (65 ft 6 in) Length: 12.6 m (41 ft 4 in) Max take-off weight: 4550 kg / 10031 lb Max. speed: 225 km/h / 140 mph Range: 900 km / 559 miles Armament: 2 x 7.7mm machine-guns, 500kg of bombs Crew: 3
Ki-2-ll / Army Type 93-2 Engine: 2 x 559kW Ha-8 radials Span: 19.96 m (65 ft 6 in) Length: 12.6 m (41 ft 4 in) Gross weight: 4645 kg (10240 lb) Maximum speed: 281 km/h (175 mph)
The Ki 1 was an angular cantilever low-wing monoplane with a crew of four, it had fixed landing gear, a tail unit incorporating twin fins and rudders.
The prototype was powered by two Rolls Royce Buzzard engines, but production aircraft had two 701kW / 940 hp Mitsubishi Ha 2 2 radial engines, giving a maximum speed of 220km/h, the Mitsubishi Ki-1-l heavy bomber flew for the first time in 1933. Pilot and co-pilot were seated in tandem under an enclosed canopy, while there were semi-enclosed nose and dorsal turrets and a retractable ventral ‘dustbin’, each armed with a single 7.7mm machine-gun. Offensive load was up to 1500kg of bombs.
The original ver¬sion went into service as the Type 93 Model 1 Heavy Bomber in support of the army fight¬ing in China during the mid 1930s.
The Ki-1-II development had 723kW Ha-2-3 engines and airframe improvements which increased maximum speed to 230km/h.
The two versions went into service as the Army Type 93-1 and Army Type 93-2 respectively, and saw limited use in the fighting against China. Total production of both versions was 118.
Ki-1-l Engines: 2 x Ha-2-2, 701kW Wing span: 26.50m / 86 ft 11 in Length: 14.8 m (48 ft 7 in) Maximum take-off weight: 8100kg / 17858 lb Max. speed: 220 km/h / 137 mph Armament: 3 x 7.7mm machine-guns Bomb load: 1000 kg (2205 lb)
Ki-1-II Engines: 2 x 723kW Ha-2-3 Span: 26.5 m (86 ft 11 in) Length: 14.8 m (48 ft 7 in) Gross weight: 8100 kg (17857 lb) Maximum speed: 230 km/h (143 mph)
Designed by Herbert Smith, the Sopwith designer working in Japan, the Mitsubishi 4MS1 prototype crew trainer made its maiden flight in 1930. A strut-braced high-wing cabin monoplane with fixed wide-track landing gear, the 4MS1 was powered by a single engine. The Ki-7 was the Japanese army prototype of the Mitsubishi K3M naval trainer aircraft. First appearing as the K3M1 in 1931/32 with a 300 hp Hispano-Suiza engine, and was an adaptation of the Fokker Universal for training purposes. The first K3M2 production version entered naval service in 1932 as the Type 90 Crew Trainer, with the pilot and gunner in separate open cockpits, and instructor and two pupils in the enclosed cabin. Later liaison/passenger variants accommodated five passengers in the cabin.
The principal JNAF service version was the K3M2 with a 300 hp Amakaze 11 radial, of which 317 were built by Mitsubishi. Production continued until 1941, and examples pressed into service as liaison aircraft in the postwar period were to be found in a variety of national markings.
Watanabe built 301 K3M3, entering production in 1939. Several, as K3M3-L, were employed on transport duties.
The K3M3 was known as “Pine” during the war.
K3M3 Engine: Nakajima Kotobuki II-Kai-I, 580 hp / 435kW Wingspan: 15.78 m / 51 ft 9.25 in Wing area: 34.5 sq.m / 371.35 sq ft Length: 9.54 m / 31 ft 4 in Height: 3.82 m / 12 ft 6 in Max take-off weight: 2200 kg / 4850 lb Empty weight: 1360 kg / 2998 lb Max. speed: 230 km/h / 143 mph Ceiling: 6390 m / 20950 ft Range: 790 km / 491 miles Bombload: 2 x 132 lb / 4 x 30-kg bombs Armament: 1 x 7.7 mm mg Crew: 3-5
The J2M1 Raiden (Thunderbolt) was conceived to meet an Imperial Navy requirement for a shore-based Kyokuchi Sentoki, or Local [defence] Interceptor, usually abbreviated to Kyokusen. Although a 14-Shi (1939) requirement, the definitive specification for the Kyokusen was not formulated until April 1940, design being undertaken by Jiro Horikoshi assisted by Yoshitoshi Sone and Kiro Takahashi.
The Japanese navy’s emphasis upon speed and climb rate prompted the designer Jiro Hinkoshi to adopt a squat single-engine design with long-chord radial engine cowling, and high-raked, curved windscreen. Of all metal construc¬tion with a low aspect ratio laminar flow wing, the J2M1 was powered by a 14-cylinder Mitsubishi MK4C Kasei 13 radial rated at 1,430 hp for take-off and which, in order to reduce aerodynamic drag, drove the propeller via an extension shaft, a fan drawing cooling air through a narrow annular intake. Armament comprised two 7,7-mm and two 20-mm guns. The first of three J2M1 prototypes flew on 20 March 1942, but the test programme was plagued with technical difficulties and service test pilots were critical of some of its characteristics. Consequently, Mitsubishi was instructed to introduce numerous changes as the Kyokusen-Kai, or J2M2, these being introduced on the fourth of 14 experimental airframes that had been laid down.
On 13 October 1942, the fourth Kyokusen prototype was flown as the J2M2, this embodying numerous changes. The most noticeable external change was the replacement of the extremely shallow, curved windscreen by one of deeper, more conventional form, with a suitably enlarged canopy and raised aft fuselage decking. The MK4R-A Kasei 23Ko drove a four-rather than three-bladed propeller via a shorter extension shaft, this engine benefiting from water-methanol injection and affording 1,800 hp for take-off. Individual exhaust stacks were introduced, fuel tankage was rearranged, and the pilot’s seat was moved both forward (2.75 in/70 mm) and upward (3.15 in/80 mm). In this form, the Kyokusen, or J2M2, was adopted as the Navy Interceptor Fighter Raiden (Thunderbolt) Model 11, armament remaining as for the J2M1.
Production J2M2 fighters left the factory slowly and entered service with the 381st Kokutai late in 1943.
J2M2
In the event, only eight J2M2 (Model 11) Raidens were built as this version was overtaken by the J2M3 (Model 21) characterised with a stronger wing stressed to mount an armament of four wing-mounted 20-mm cannon, this thus becoming the first service Raiden, the J2M3-Ko (Model 2lKo) differing in the type of cannon installed. The heavier armament now restricted the performance of the Raiden to the extent that it no longer met the original demands, and the J2M4 was an attempt to restore the performance by including a turbocharger.
The J2M4 had a Kasei 23Hei engine with a turbosuper¬charger and two of the wing cannon transferred to the fuselage to fire at an oblique angle. The first of three prototypes of the J2M4 flew on 24 September 1944, but persistent difficulties with its turbosupercharger led to its discontinuation.
The J2M5 (Model 33) and J2M6 (Model 31) were developed in parallel, entering flight test in May and June 1944 respectively and both being committed to production. Whereas the J2M6 differed from the J2M3 essentially in having a wider and taller windscreen, the basic model reverting to J2M2 armament and the J2M6-Ko (Model 3lKo) having four wing cannon, the J2M5 had a 1357kW Kasei 26Ko engine equipped with a mechanically-driven three-stage supercharger. This latter was ordered into production with the Takaza Arsenal and Nihon Kentetsu, as well as Mitsubishi. The J2M5 (34 built) achieved 382 mph (615 km/h) at 22,310 ft (6 800 m.
In all, 476 J2Ms were built.
The Allies selected the reporting name ‘Jack’ for the J2M on the basis of intelligence reports and captured data.
J2M1 Engine: Mitsubishi MK4C Kasei 13 radial, 1,430 hp Max speed, 359 mph (577 km/h) at 19,685 ft (6 000 m) Empty weight, 4,830 lb (2 191 kg) Normal loaded weight, 6,307 lb (2 861 kg) Span, 35 ft 5¼ in (10,80 m) Length, 32 ft 5¾ in (9,90 m) Height, 12 ft 6 3/8 in (3,82 m) Wing area, 215.82 sq ft (20,05 sq.m) Armament: two 7,7-mm and two 20-mm guns
J2M2-6 Raiden Engine: MK4R-A Kasei 23Ko, 1,800 hp
J2M3 Engine: 1 x Mitsubishi “Kasei-23a”, 1350kW Max take-off weight: 3435 kg / 7573 lb Empty weight: 2460 kg / 5423 lb Wingspan: 10.8 m / 35 ft 5 in Length: 9.95 m / 32 ft 8 in Height: 3.95 m / 12 ft 12 in Wing area: 20.05 sq.m / 215.82 sq ft Max. speed: 580 km/h / 360 mph Ceiling: 11700 m / 38400 ft Range: 1900 km / 1181 miles Armament: 4 x 20mm cannons, 120kg of bombs Crew: 1
J2M3 (Model 21) Max speed, 363 mph (584 km/h) at 17,880 ft (5 450 m) Initial climb, 3,838 ft/min (19,50 m/sec) Normal range, 655 mls (1055 km) Empty weight, 5,489 lb (2490 kg) Loaded weight, 7,584 lb (3440 kg) Span, 35 ft 5¼ in (10,80 m) Length, 32 ft 7½ in (9,94 m) Height, 12 ft 11¼ in (3,94 m) Wing area, 215.82 sq ft (20,05 sq.m)\Armament: four wing-mounted 20-mm cannon
J2M4 Engine: Kasei 23Hei.
J2M5 Engine: Kasei 26Ko Max speed: 382 mph (615 km/h) at 22,310 ft (6 800 m)
