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Japan's Mitsubishi A6M5 fighter1,2
Allied Name: "Hamp", "Zeke"1,2,4
Mitsubishi A6M5, "Zero" fighter: |
Design
The A6M5 was to be a temporary expedient until the replacement carrier based fighter, Mitsubishi A7M Reppu, was developed.3 As the A7M failed the A6M5 ended up being the most produced of the A6M series.3
It was to be simplified for production and increase the diving speed.4,5 A heavier gauge metal was used in the wings.5 Diving speed was increased to 410 mph.5
Prototype
The prototype A6M5 (the 904th A6M3 converted) first flew in August 1943.3
The A6M5 Model 52 prototype first flew in the summer of 1943.5
Production
- Production started:
- A6M5 Model 52a: March 19443
- A6M5 Model 52b: Middle of 19443
- A6M5 Model 52c: September 19443
Variants
- A6M5 Model 524,5: Had wing folding mechanism removed and a rounded tip was installed.3,4 Exhaust was modified and provided some extra thrust.3
- A6M5 Model 52a4,5, A6M5 Model 52 KO5: Ammunition feed was improved.3 Skin gauge was increased to allow faster diving.3,4 Diving speed was 460 mph.4,5
- A6M5 Model 52b4,5, A6M5 Model 52 OTSU5: Added armor for pilot and fuel tanks.3,4,5 A fire extinguisher system was added.3,4 The armament was improved.3 Added a 5 mm bullet resistant windscreen.4,5 Could carry two 150 liter drop tanks under the wings.5
- A6M5 Model 52c4,5, A6M5 Model 52 HEI5: Armament was revised.3,4 A self sealing fuel tank added behind the pilot which caused center of gravity problems.3 8 mm plate installed behind the pilot.5 55 mm of armored glass installed behind pilot's head.5 A 37 gallon self sealing fuel tank was placed behind the pilot.5
- A6M5 Model 22: Fuel capacity was increased.3 Cannons were long barrel.3 The flaps and ailerons were modified.3 The skin was heavier gauge to allow faster diving.3
- A6M5 Model 634: Centerline drop tank was replaced by bomb rack that could carry 500 lb bomb.4 The Model 63 could carry a 33 gallon / 150 liter drop tank under each wing.4
Usage
The A6M5 entered service in October 1943.3
It's best speed for combat was 180 mph or less.4
Kamikaze
On October 25, 1944, the Shikishima kamikaze sent five A6M5s to attack the St. Lo and sank it.2
| Mitsubishi A6M52,3 | Mitsubishi A6M5b2 | Mitsubishi A6M5 Model 523 | Mitsubishi A6M5 Model 52a3 Mitsubishi A6M5 Model 52 KO5 |
Mitsubishi A6M5 Model 52b3 Mitsubishi A6M5 Model 52 OTSU5 |
Mitsubishi A6M5 Model 52c3 Mitsubishi A6M5c Model 524 Mitsubishi A6M5 Model 52 HEI5 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Navy fighter bomber3 | Fighter2 | Fighter4 | |||
| Crew | 13 | 12 | 14 | |||
| Engine (Type) | Nakajima NK1F Sakae 213 | Nakajima NK2F Sakae 21 piston2 | Sakae 215 | Sakae Model 214\, Sakae Model 314 | ||
| Cylinders | Radial 143 | Radial2 | ||||
| Cooling | ||||||
| Net HP | 1,1303 | 1,1002 | 1,1305 | 1,1004 | ||
| Propeller blades | 33 | 32 | ||||
| Dimensions | ||||||
| Span | 36' 1"3 11 m3 |
36' 1"2 11 m2 |
36' 1"4 | |||
| Length | 29' 11"3 9.12 m3 |
29' 11 1/8"2 9.12 m2 |
29' 11"4 | |||
| Height | 11' 6"3 3.5 m3 |
11' 6 1/8"2 3.51 m2 |
11' 6"4 | |||
| Wing area | 229.27 ft2 2 21.3 m2 2 |
|||||
| Weight | ||||||
| Empty | 4,136 lb2 1,876 kg2 |
4,136 lb3 1,876 kg3 |
4,136 lb4 | |||
| Loaded | 6,025 lb2 2,733 kg2 |
6,025 lb5, 6,508 lb3 2,952 kg3 |
6,025 lb4 | |||
| Performance | ||||||
| Speed | 351 mph5 | |||||
| Speed @ 19,000' | 351 mph4,5 | |||||
| Speed @ 19,685' / 6,000 m |
351 mph3 565 kph3 |
351 mph2 565 kph2 |
348 mph4 | |||
| Climb | 2,805'/minute3 855 m/minute3 |
|||||
| Climb to 16,405' | 5' 50"4 | |||||
| Climb to 19,685' / 6,000 m |
7 minutes3 | 7 minutes2 | ||||
| Service ceiling | 36,255'3 11,050 m3 |
38,520'2 11,740 m2 |
36,255'4 | |||
| Range | 710 miles2 1,143 km2 |
657 miles4 | ||||
| Range with drop tanks | 1,193 miles3 1,920 km3 |
1,194 miles5 | ||||
| Armament | ||||||
| Nose | 1: 7.7 mm MG2 | 1: 7.7 mm Type 97 MG2 1: 13.2 mm Type 3 MG2 |
2: 7.7 mm MG3,5 | 2: 7.7 mm MG3 | 1: 7.7 mm MG3, 7.7 mm Type 974 1: 13 mm MG3, 13 mm Type 34 |
1: 13 mm MG3,5 1: 13.2 mm Type 34 |
| Wings | 2: 13.2 mm MG2 2: 20 mm2 |
2: 20 mm Type 992 | 2: 20 mm3,5 | 2: 20 mm3 2: 20 mm Type 99 Mk 44 2: 20 mm Type 99 Model 2-35 Rounds: 1255 |
2: 20 mm3 | 2: 13 mm3,5, 13.2 mm Type 34 240 rounds each5 2: 20 mm3,5, 20 mm Type 994 |
| Bombs - wings | 2: 132 lb or 551 lb2 2: 60 kg or 250 kg2 |
2: 132 lb3 2: 60 kg3 |
2: 132 lb3 2: 60 kg3 |
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| Rockets | 2: 132 lb3 2: 60 kg3 |
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
