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Japan's Mitsubishi F1M reconnaissance floatplane1
Navy Type 0
Allied Code Name: Pete1
Mitsubishi F1M floatplane:
Mitsubishi F1M floatplane:
Mitsubishi F1M2 floatplane:
Design
The Mitsubishi F1M was designed to be a catapult launched observation floatplane.1 It was to meet a late 1934 Imperial Japanese Navy specification for a replacement for the Nakajima E8N1.1
A couple problems the F1M had was it would often porpoise in water and directional stability in flight.1
The F1M2 was a major redesign that appeared in 1939.1
Prototype
The prototype was designated the Ka-17, F1M1 by the military, and first flew in June 1936.1
Production
Production ended in March 1944.1
- F1M1: 41
- F1M2: 1,1141
- Mitsubishi: 5241
- Dai-Nijuichi: 5901
- Total: 1,1181
Variants
- Ka-17 / F1M1: Prototype.1 Had Nakajima Hikari 1 radial 9 engine (820 HP).1
- F1M2: Increased vertical tail surfaces.1 Longer cowling.1 Straight taper wings.1 Wing dihedral was reduced.1
- F1M2-K: Trainer.1 Converted from F1M2.1
Usage
Variety of Duties
The F1M was very versatile and was used as a coastal patrol, convoy escort, search and rescue, ocean patrol, transport, anti submarine, interceptor, dive bomber, and bombing.1 It could be operated from water bases and ships.1
| Mitsubishi F1M1 | Mitsubishi F1M21 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Reconnaissance floatplane1 | |
| Crew | 21 | |
| Engine (Type) | Mitsubishi Zuisei 131 | |
| Cylinders | Radial 141 | |
| Cooling | ||
| Net HP | 8751 | |
| Propeller blades | 31 | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Span | 36' 11"1 11 m1 |
|
| Length | 31' 2"1 9.5 m1 |
|
| Height | 13' 1.5"1 4.02 m1 |
|
| Wing area | ||
| Weight | ||
| Empty | 4,250 lb1 1,928 kg1 |
|
| Normal load | 5,622 lb1 2,550 kg1 |
|
| Maximum load | 6,294 lb1 2,855 kg1 |
|
| Performance | ||
| Speed @ 11,285' / 3,440 m |
230 mph1 370 kph1 |
|
| Cruising speed | 127 mph1 204 kph1 |
|
| Climb | 1,968'/minute1 600 m/minute1 |
|
| Climb to 9,840' / 3,000 m |
5.1 minutes1 | |
| Climb to 16,405' / 5,000 m |
9.6 minutes1 | |
| Service ceiling | 30,970'1 9,440 m1 |
|
| Range | 460 miles1 740 km1 |
|
| Armament | ||
| Nose | 2: 7.7 mm MG1 | |
| Rear cockpit | 1: 7.7 mm MG1 | |
| Bombs - under wings | 2: 132 lb1 2: 60 kg1 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
