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Japan's Mitsubishi A6M3 Rei-sen (zero fighter) fighter1,2,3,5
Navy Type 03
Allied Name: "Hamp"1,3,4,5, "Zeke"1 , "Hap"3,5, "Zeke 32"3,4,5
Mitsubishi A6M3 fighter, cockpit: |
Mitsubishi A6M3 fighter: |
Design
Later models of the A6M3 had the folding wingtips not installed.2
Engine
Nakajima produced the Sakae engine which had a two stage supercharger.3,4 The engine was longer and required the firewall to the rear by 8" / 20 cm.3 This caused the fuel tank to have to be reduced in size.3,4
The larger engine resulted in changing the cowling to be more rounded and larger.5 Propeller was slightly larger.3,5
Wings
The first two A6M3s produced had the folding wingtips but they were removed in the hopes to increase speed.3,4 This was to compensate for the heavier engine.5 It was hoped that the shorter wings would make the A6M3 more maneuverable, but this didn't happen.5
Allied Naming
In honor of Air Force General "Hap" Arnold the A6M3 Model 32 was called the "Hap."5 However, he did not appreciate the gesture and ordered the designation to be changed to "Hamp."5 After captured examples of the Model 32 were captured the name was revised to Zeke 32.5
Production
The A6M3 was first flown in June 1941.3,5
Production ended in the middle of 1943.3
Variants
- A6M3:
- A6M3 Model 323,4,5: Had square tip wings.3,5 More ammunition for the guns.3,5 The engine was larger and reduced the fuel carried by 21 gallons.4,5
- A6M3 Model 223,4,5: Had folding wing tips.3,4,5 More fuel.3,4,5 Increased by 24 gallons.4,5
- A6M3a Model 22a3,5, A6M3 Model 22KO5: Long barrel cannons.3,5 2 or 3 20 mm Type 99.5 Some had a 30 mm installed and were tested at Rabaul.5
Usage
The A6M3 entered service in 1942.2 Pilots weren't as happy with the A6M3 as with other A6M models as it was only slightly faster than the A6M2.3
Many of the A6M3 Model 32 were used for training in Japan.5
First Unit
The 2nd Kokutai was the first to receive the A6M3 Model 32 in the spring of 1942.5 The 2nd Kokutai was located in New Guinea and due to the A6M3s shorter range these fighters were unable to take part in the battles over Guadalcanal.5
Guadalcanal
The A6M3 Model 22 appeared over Guadalcanal in August 1942.4,5
Zuikaku
Some A6M3 Model 22s served on the Zuikaku.5
| Mitsubishi A6M31,2,3 | Mitsubishi A6M3 Model 223 | Mitsubishi A6M3 Model 323 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Carrier fighter1 Navy fighter bomber3 |
||
| Crew | 11,3 | ||
| Engine (Type) | Nakajima NK1F Sakae 211,2,3 | Nakajima Sakae4 | Nakajima NK1F Sakae 214 Sakae 215 |
| Cylinders | Radial1, Radial 143 | ||
| Cooling | |||
| Net HP | 1,1301,3 | 1,1004, 1,1305 | |
| Propeller blades | 31,3 | ||
| Dimensions | |||
| Span | 36' 1"1 11 m1 |
39' 4.5"3 12 m3 |
36' 1"3 11 m3 |
| Length | 29' 11"1 9.12 m1 |
29' 8.75"3 9.06 m3 |
|
| Height | 11' 6"1 3.6 m1 |
11' 6"3 3.51 m3 |
|
| Wing area | 230 ft2 1 21.3 m2 1 |
||
| Weight | |||
| Empty | 4,000 lb1 1,876 kg1 |
3,984 lb3 1,807 kg3 |
|
| Loaded | 6,025 lb1 2,733 kg1 |
5,609 lb5, 5,829 lb3 2,644 kg3 |
|
| Performance | |||
| Speed | 350 mph1 565 kph1 |
294 mph5 | |
| Speed at sea level | 279 mph3 450 kph3 |
||
| Speed @ 19,685' / 6,000 m |
338 mph3 544 kph3 |
||
| Climb | 3,100'/minute3 945 m/minute3 |
||
| Climb to 19,685' / 6,000 m |
7.3 minutes3 | ||
| Service ceiling | 38,500'1 11,740 m1 |
36,253'3 11,050 m3 |
|
| Range | 560 miles4 | ||
| Range - with drop tanks | 1,200 miles1 1,800 km1 |
1,284 miles5, 1,446 miles3 2,328 km3 |
|
| Armament | |||
| Above engine | 2: 7.7 mm MG1,3 600 rounds each1 |
2: 7.7 mm MG5 | 2: 7.7 mm MG5 |
| Wings | 2: 20 mm3 2: 20 mm Type 991 100 rounds each1 |
2: 20 mm MG5 | 2: 20 mm4,5 60 - 100 rounds each4, 100 rounds each5 |
| Bombs | 2: 130 lb1, 132 lb3 2: 60 kg1,3 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of World War II, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004
- Fighting Aircraft of World War II, Editor: Karen Leverington, 1995
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
- Seafire vs A6M Zero Pacific Theatre, Donald Nijboer, 2009
- A6M Zero in Action, Shigeru Nohara, 1983
