Showing posts with label IJAAS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label IJAAS. Show all posts

Japanese Military Aircraft Designation Systems

Front of Japanese Military Aircraft, ONI 232 Identification and Characteristics Section. ONI 232 was a US Office of Naval Intelligence publication that provided identification and characteristics information on Japanese military aircraft during World War II. It was a key resource for Allied forces in recognizing and understanding Japanese aircraft.

The Japanese military aircraft designation systems for the Imperial period (pre-1945) had multiple designation systems for each armed service. This led to the Allies’ use of code names during World War II, and these code names are still better known in English-language texts than the real Japanese names for the aircraft. A number of different schemes were simultaneously in use.

Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service

The Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service (Dai-Nippon Teikoku Kaigun Koukuu-tai) (IJNAS) used several different aircraft designation systems simultaneously. Between 1931 and 1945, aircraft had Shi numbers designating the specification they were designed to. They also had a long form of Type and Model Number system used between 1920 and 1943, a short designation system akin to that of the United States Navy in use between the late 1920s and 1945, a system of popular names introduced to replace type numbers from 1943 through 1945, and finally an SADP (Service Airplane Designation System) number used from 1939 onward.

Specification Shi Numbers

Japanese Navy specifications from 1931 were given an experimental, or Shi number, based on the year of the Emperor’s reign the specification was issued in. Since multiple specifications could be issued in a year, the number was disambiguated with the aircraft purpose.

During the period this designation system was in use, the Emperor in question was Hirohito, the Showa Emperor, thus the years of Showa were those used, which began in 1926.

Thus, the Mitsubishi Zero was designed to meet the 1937 specification called 12-shi carrier fighter.

Long Type and Model Number System

After 1929, aircraft types were given a type number based on the last two digits of the year as counted from the mythical founding of Japan in 660BC by Emperor Jimmu. Added to this was a brief description of the aircraft’s function. The Mitsubishi Zero was so-called because entered service in 1940 which was the Japanese year 2600, thus it was designated Type 0 Carrier Fighter.

Model numbers were added to show sub-types. By the late 1930s these were two digits, the first being airframe revisions, the second engine revisions.

The system was abandoned in 1943, when it was decided that it gave away too much information about the aircraft.

Short System

In the late 1920s a short designation scheme was adopted, which was strikingly similar to the United States Navy’s 1922–64 system. This scheme used a letter or two letters to designate a type of aircraft, a number to indicate the number in series of that type of aircraft, and finally a letter to designate the manufacturer. Unlike the US Navy system, the Japanese system did not have a different number series for each manufacturer and did not omit the number “1.”

Thus, the Zero’s type in this designation system was A6M, which meant the sixth type of carrier fighter under this designation system, and that it was built by Mitsubishi.

Variants were indicated by an additional number at the end; repurposing an aircraft was indicated by a dash and then the new type letter.

Sometimes two aircraft were ordered from different manufacturers to the same specification at the same time, generally as insurance against the primary design not working out. In this case, the same series number was used for both. 

Aircraft Type Letters

Letter

Characters

Western letters

Type of Aircraft

A

艦上戦闘機

Kanjyo Sento-ki

Carrier-based fighter

B

艦上攻撃機

Kanjyo Kougeki-ki

Carrier-based attack bomber

C

艦上偵察機

Kanjyo Teisatsu-ki

Carrier-based Reconnaissance

D

上爆撃機

Kanjyo Bakugeki-ki

Carrier-based dive bomber

E

水上偵察機

Suijyo Teisatsu-ki

Reconnaissance seaplane

F

水上観測機

Suijyo Kansoku-ki

Observation seaplane

G

陸上攻撃機

Rikujo Kougeki-ki

Land-based attack bomber

H

飛行艇

Hiko-tei

Flying boat

J

陸上戦闘機

Rikujyo Sento-ki

Land-based fighter

K

練習機

Renshuu-ki

Trainer

L

輸送機

Yuso-ki

Transport

M

特殊機

Tokushu-ki

Special purpose

N

水上戦闘機

Suijyo Sento-ki

Fighter seaplane

P

陸上爆撃機

Rikujyo Bakugeki-ki

Land-based bomber

Q

哨戒機

Shokaiki

Patrol aircraft

R

陸上偵察機

Rikujyo Teisatsu-ki

Land-based reconnaissance

S

夜間戦闘機

Yakan Sento-ki

Night fighter

X

実験

Tokushu-ki (Jikken)

Experiment (used with other designations)

 

Manufacturer Letters

Letter

Japanese Manufacturers

Foreign Manufacturers

A

Aichi

North American

B

n/a

Boeing

C

n/a

Consolidated

D

Showa

Douglas

F

n/a

Grumman

G

Hitachi

Goodyear

H

Hiro

Hawker

He

n/a

Heinkel

J

Nihon

Junkers

K

Kawanishi

Kinner

M

Mitsubishi

Airspeed

N

Nakajima

n/a

P

Nihon

n/a

S

Sasebo

n/a

Si

Showa

n/a

V

n/a

Vought

W

Watanabe/Kyushu

n/a

Y

Yokosuka

n/a

Z

Mizuno

n/a

 Popular Names

After July 1943, names were given to Navy aircraft instead of type designations. These names were given according to a scheme based on the aircraft’s role.

Fighters: Weather and meteorological names

Carrier fighters and seaplane fighters: Wind names usually ending with pu or fu

Interceptors: Lightning names ending in den

Night fighters: Light names ending in ko

Attack planes: Mountains names ending in zan

Bombers: Star or constellation names usually ending in sei

Patrol: Sea or ocean names ending in kai

Reconnaissance: Cloud names ending in un

Trainers: Trees, plants and flowers

Transports: Sky names ending in ku

Miscellaneous: Landscape names

Special cases include kamikaze aircraft such as Special Attackers Ohka (“Cherry blossom”; designed from the start as such) and Kikka (“Orange blossom”; believed to be considered for this role), aircraft that employed non-conventional (i.e. non-propeller-driven) propulsion scheme like rocket-powered interceptor Shūsui (poetic term meaning “Sharp Sword”), and aircraft used for non-conventional deployments such as Special Attacker Seiran (“Mountain Haze”; deployed from submarines to strike targets behind the frontline and expected to be ditched upon returning to motherships). Both Ohka and Kikka are named after the fruit trees in the gardens of the Imperial Palace.

Imperial Japanese Army Air Service

The Imperial Japanese Army Air Service (often called the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force (Dainippon Teikoku Rikugun Kōkūtai, Dainippon Teikoku Rikugun Kōkūbutai?) (IJAAS) used a straightforward system based on year of service and type, nearly identical to the Navy’s long type and model number system. This system was used from 1927. The “Ki” (abbreviation of kitai = airframe) designation was also used and became prominent in later years.

Long Type and Model Number System

The first part of the designation was a two-digit type number based on the Japanese year in which the aircraft entered service. A minor exception was the year 1940 (2600), for which the type number 100 rather than zero was used. This was followed by a description of the aircraft’s function. If there were two or more aircraft with the same type and function, the latter was enhanced to further differentiate them. An example is the Type 2 single-seat fighter (the Nakajima Ki-44) and the Type 2 two-seat fighter (Kawasaki Ki-45).

Major modifications (such as a different engine) were indicated with a subtype number, officially in kanji but often in Roman numerals. Small-scale modifications (such as armament) are indicated with a Japanese ordinal, or “kai” if the modification was large but not enough for a new type number.

Short Designation (“Ki” Number)

The “Ki” airframe designation indicates the project number (written in Arabic numerals) and was assigned in sequence to all projects regardless of manufacturer or type. It was originally used only when the aircraft was under development, but towards the end of the war became the standard designation even for operational aircraft.

Popular Names

Popular names such as “Hayabusa” (the Nakajima Ki-43) were not part of the official designation. 

Calendars and Type Numbers

Year

Japanese Year

Nengo Era

Type number

Shisaku number

1921

2581

Taisho 10

Type 10


1922

2582

Taisho 11

Type 11


1923

2583

Taisho 12

Type 12


1924

2584

Taisho 13

Type 13


1925

2585

Taisho 14

Type 14


1926

2586

Taisho 15/Showa 1

Type 15


1927

2587

Showa 2

Type 87


1928

2588

Showa 3

Type 88


1929

2589

Showa 4

Type 89


1930

2590

Showa 5

Type 90


1931

2591

Showa 6

Type 91

6-Shi

1932

2592

Showa 7

Type 92

7-Shi

1933

2593

Showa 8

Type 93

8-Shi

1934

2594

Showa 9

Type 94

9-Shi

1935

2595

Showa 10

Type 95

10-Shi

1936

2596

Showa 11

Type 96

11-Shi

1937

2597

Showa 12

Type 97

12-Shi

1938

2598

Showa 13

Type 98

13-Shi

1939

2599

Showa 14

Type 99

14-Shi

1940

2600

Showa 15

Type 100 or 0

15-Shi

1941

2601

Showa 16

Type 1

16-Shi

1942

2602

Showa 17

Type 2

17-Shi

1943

2603

Showa 18

Type 3

18-Shi

1944

2604

Showa 19

Type 4

19-Shi

1945

2605

Showa 20

Type 5

20-Shi

 Designation Table

This table gives all the various designations and names of Japanese military aircraft from circa 1925 to 1945. 

Manufacturer Name and
Short Designation

Official (long)
Designation
(All "types"
are Navy)

Experimental
Designation

Japanese
Name

Allied
Code Name(s)

Notes

Aichi B7A

Carrier Attack Bomber Ryusei

16-shi Carrier Torpedo Attacker

Ryusei (Shooting Star)

GRACE


Aichi C4A


13-shi High-speed Reconnaissance Plane



Project

Aichi D1A

Type 94 Carrier Bomber

8-shi Carrier Dive Bomber


SUSIE


Aichi D1A2/D2A

Type 96 Carrier Bomber



SUSIE


Aichi D3A

Type 99 Carrier Bomber

11-shi Carrier Dive Bomber


VAL


Aichi E3A

Type 90-1 Reconnaissance Seaplane




Biplane

Aichi E8A


8-shi Reconnaissance Seaplane



Lost to E8N1

Aichi E10A

Type 96 Night Reconnaissance Seaplane

9-shi Sea Reconnaissance


HANK

Biplane flying boat

Aichi E11A

Type 98 Night Reconnaissance Seaplane

11-shi Sea Reconnaissance


LAURA


Aichi E12A


12-shi Two-seat Reconnaissance Seaplane




Aichi E13A

Type 0 Reconnaissance Seaplane

12-shi Sea Reconnaissance


JAKE


Aichi E16A

Reconnaissance Seaplane Zuiun

16-shi Sea Reconnaissance

Zuiun (Auspicious Cloud)

PAUL


Aichi F1A


10-shi Observation Seaplane



Lost to F1M1

Aichi H9A

Type 2 Training Flying boat

13-shi Flying Boat




Aichi M6A

Special Attack Bomber Seiran

17-shi special Attacker

Seiran (Clear Sky Storm)



Aichi M6A1-K

Special Attack Training Bomber Nanzan


Nanzan (South Mountain)


Trainer variant of M6A

Aichi S1A


18-shi Hei C Type Night Fighter Denko

Denko (Bolt of Light)



Airspeed LXM

Type M Transport




Two tested.

Boeing AXB

Type B Carrier Fighter




One tested

Bücker KXBu

Type Bu Primary Trainer




Bücker Bü 131

Canadian Car and Foundry AXG

Type G Carrier Fighter




One tested

Caudron KXC

Type C Trainer




One tested

Consolidated HXC

Type C Flying boat




One tested

Curtiss-Wright LXC

Type C Amphibious Transport




One tested

Dewoitine AXD

Type D Carrier Fighter




One tested

Douglas DXD

Type D Attack Plane




One tested

Douglas HXD

Type D Flying boat




Two tested

Douglas LXD

Type D Transport




One tested

Fairchild LXF

Type F Amphibious Transport




One tested.

Gasuden LXG

Special Liaison Transport




KR-2 for VIP use.

Grumman LXG

Grumman Amphibian Flying Boat




One Grumman Goose tested

Hawker AXH

Type H Carrier Fighter




One tested

Heinkel A7He

Type He Air Defence Fighter



JERRY

Heinkel He 112

Heinkel AXHe

Type He Interceptor Fighter




Three tested

Heinkel DXHe

Type He Attack Plane




One tested

Heinkel KXHe

Type He Trainer




One tested

Heinkel LXHe

Type He Transport




One tested.

Hiro G2H

Type 95 Attack Bomber

7-shi Land Attacker



Monoplane

Hiro H1H

Type 15 Flying boat




Biplane

Hiro H2H

Type 89 Flying boat




Biplane

Hiro H3H

Type 90-1 Flying boat




Monoplane

Hiro H4H

Type 91 Flying boat




Monoplane

Hiro H10H


14-shi Medium Flying boat



Project

Junkers KXJ

Type J Trainer




One tested

Kawanishi E5K

Type 90-3 Reconnaissance Seaplane




Biplane

Kawanishi E7K

Type 94 Reconnaissance Seaplane

7-shi Sea Reconnaissance


ALF


Kawanishi E8K


8-shi Reconnaissance Seaplane



Lost to E8N1

Kawanishi E10K

Type 94 Transport Seaplane

9-shi Sea Reconnaissance



Biplane flying boat

Kawanishi E11K

Type 96 Transport Seaplane

11-shi Sea Reconnaissance



Lost to E11A1

Kawanishi E12K


12-shi Two-seat Reconnaissance Seaplane




Kawanishi E13K


12-shi Three-seat Reconnaissance Seaplane



Lost to E13A

Kawanishi E15K

Type 2 High-speed Reconnaissance Seaplane Shiun

14-shi Sea Reconnaissance

Shiun (Violet Cloud)

NORM


Kawanishi F1K


10-shi Observation Seaplane



Lost to F1M1

Kawanishi G9K





Land-based attack bomber based on H8K, project

Kawanishi H3K

Type 90-2 Flying boat



BELLE

Biplane

Kawanishi H6K

Type 97 Flying boat

9-shi Flying Boat


MAVIS


Kawanishi H6K2-L/H6K4-L

Type 97 Transport Flying boat



MAVIS


Kawanishi H8K

Type 2 Flying boat

13-shi Flying Boat


EMILY


Kawanishi H8K1-L

Type 2 Transport Flying Boat


Seikū (Clear Sky)

EMILY

Armed transport variant of H8K1

Kawanishi H8K2-L

Seikū, Model 32


Seikū (Clear Sky)

EMILY

Armed transport variant of H8K2

Kawanishi H8K4-L

Seikū, Model 33


Seikū (Clear Sky)

EMILY

Armed transport variant of H8K4, project

Kawanishi H11K1-L

Large-size Transport Flying boat Soukuu


Soukuu (Blue Sky)


Project

Kawanishi J3K


17-shi Otsu (B) Type Interceptor Fighter



Project

Kawanishi J6K


18-shi Otsu (B) Type Interceptor Fighter Jinpu

Jinpu (Squall)


Project

Kawanishi K6K


11-shi Advanced Trainer Seaplane



Cancelled

Kawanishi K8K

Type 0 Primary Trainer Seaplane

12-shi Primary Trainer Seaplane



Biplane

Kawanishi N1K

Fighter Seaplane Kyofu

15-shi Fighter Seaplane

Kyōfū (Strong Wind)

REX


Kawanishi N1K1-J

Land Fighter Shiden


Shiden (Violet Lightning)

GEORGE

Landplane Kyofu

Kawanishi N1K2-J/N1K5-J

Land Fighter Shiden Kai


Shiden (Violet Lightning) modified

GEORGE

Landplane

Kawanishi N1K2-K

Training Fighter Shiden Kai Rensen


Shiden (Violet Lightning) modified

GEORGE

Landplane

Kayaba Ka-1

Ka-Gō Artillery spotter




Army autogyro

Kayaba Ka-2





Army autogyro

Kinner LXK

Type K Transport




One tested.

Kugisho B3Y

Type 92 Carrier Attack Bomber




Biplane

Kyushu J7W


18-shi Otsu (B) Type Interceptor Fighter Shinden

Shinden (Magnificent Lightning)



Kyushu K9W

Type 2 Primary Trainer Momiji

14-shi Trainer

Kouyou (Red Leaf)

CYPRESS

Bücker Bü 131

Kyushu K10W

Type 2 Intermediate Trainer

14-shi Land Middle Trainer


OAK


Kyushu K11W

Operations Trainer Shiragiku

15-shi Trainer

Shiragiku (White Chrysanthemum)



Kyushu Q1W

Patrol Plane Tokai

17-shi Patrol

Tōkai (Eastern Sea)

LORNA


Kyushu Q3W

Patrol Plane Nankai


Nankai (Southern Sea)



L5?

Unidentified transport




No details

L6?

Unidentified transport




No details

Lockheed KXL

Type L Trainer




One tested

Mitsubishi A5M

Type 96 Carrier Fighter

9-shi Carrier Fighter


CLAUDE/SANDY


Mitsubishi A5M4-K

Type 96 Training Fighter




trainer variant

Mitsubishi A6M

Type 0 Carrier Fighter

12-shi Carrier Fighter

Reisen (Zero fighter)

ZEKE/HAMP/HAP

Unofficially Zero

Mitsubishi A6M2-K/A6M5-K

Training Fighter



ZEKE

Unofficially Zero

Mitsubishi A7M


17-shi Ko (A) Type Carrier Fighter

Reppū (Strong Wind)

SAM


Mitsubishi B1M

Type 13 Carrier Attack Bomber




Biplane

Mitsubishi B2M

Type 89 Carrier Attack Bomber




Biplane

Mitsubishi B4M


9-shi Carrier Torpedo Attacker



Biplane

Mitsubishi B5M

Type 97-2 Carrier Attack Bomber

10-shi Carrier Torpedo Attacker


MABEL


Mitsubishi C1M

Type 10 Carrier Reconnaissance Aircraft




Biplane

Mitsubishi C5M

Type 98 Reconnaissance Aircraft



BABS


Mitsubishi D3M


11-shi Carrier Bomber



Lost to D3A

Mitsubishi F1M

Type 0 Observation Seaplane

10-shi Sea Observation


PETE


Mitsubishi G1M

Type 93 Land-based Attack

7-shi Carrier



Biplane

Mitsubishi G1M


8-shi Special Reconnaissance, later 8-Shi Land-based Medium Attack



Long Range Research, not 7-shi

Mitsubishi G3M

Type 96 Attack Bomber

9-shi Land Attacker


NELL


Mitsubishi G4M

Type 1 Attack Bomber

12-shi Land Attacker


BETTY


Mitsubishi G6M

Type 1 Wingtip Convoy Fighter



BETTY


Mitsubishi G6M1-K

Type 1 Large Land Trainer



BETTY

Trainer variant of G6M

Mitsubishi G6M1-L2

Type 1 Transport



BETTY

Transport variant variant of G6M

Mitsubishi G7M


16-shi Attack Bomber Taizan

Taizan (Great Mountain)


Project

Mitsubishi J2M

Land Fighter Raiden

14-shi Interceptor

Raiden (Lightning Bolt)

JACK


Mitsubishi J4M


17-shi Otsu (B) Type Interceptor Fighter Senden

Senden (Flashing Lightning)

LUKE

Project

Mitsubishi J8M


19-shi Rocket-Powered Interceptor Fighter Shusui

Shusui (Sharp Sword)



Mitsubishi K3M

Type 90 Operations Trainer



PINE


Mitsubishi K6M


11-shi Advanced Trainer Seaplane



Cancelled

Mitsubishi K7M


11-shi Crew Trainer



Cancelled

Mitsubishi L4M




TOPSY

Naval version of Ki-57-I

Mitsubishi Q2M


19-shi Patrol Plane Taiyo

Tai'yō (Great Sea)


ASW derivative of the Ki-67; project

Mizuno MXZ1


17-shi Exp. Research Plane



Training glider

n/a



Yasukuni (Shrine)


Ki-67-I loaned from Army

n/a

n/a

6-shi Carrier Fighter



Nakajima

n/a

n/a

7-shi Carrier Fighter




n/a

n/a

7-shi Carrier Fighter

Nakajima Army Type 91 Fighter


for Navy

n/a

n/a

8-shi Carrier Fighter

Mitsubishi Ka-8


Crashed

n/a

n/a

8-shi Carrier Fighter



Nakajima, Cancelled

n/a

n/a

9-shi Carrier Fighter

IJA Nakajima Ki-11



n/a

n/a

7-shi Carrier Torpedo Attacker



Aichi Biplane

n/a

n/a

7-shi Carrier Torpedo Attacker



Mitsubishi Biplane

n/a

n/a

7-shi Carrier Torpedo Attacker



Nakajima Biplane

n/a

Type 10 Carrier Torpedo Bomber




Triplane

n/a

n/a

6-shi Carrier Dive Bomber



Nakajima, Crashed

n/a

n/a

7-shi Carrier Dive Bomber



Nakajima

n/a

n/a

6-shi Night Reconnaissance Flying Boat



Aichi (flying boat biplane)

n/a

n/a

7-shi Reconnaissance Seaplane



Aichi, lost to E7K

n/a

Special Attack


Sukukaze (Cool Breeze)

OMAR

Fictional

n/a

Special Attack Glider Shinryu


Shinryu (Divine Dragon)


Mizuno project

n/a

Experimental Special Attacker 1


Toka (Wisteria flower)


Navy Nakajima Ki-115

n/a

Experimental Attack Plane 1


Tozan (Eastern Mountain)



n/a

Type 97 Reconnaissance Seaplane?



BOB

Aichi

n/a

Type 98 Bomber Float Plane?



IONE

Aichi

n/a

Type 99 Four-Engine Flying Boat?



JOAN

Unknown company

n/a

Type 99 Single-Engine Dive Bomber Seaplane?




Aichi

n/a

Type 1 Single-Seat Fighter?



ZEKE

Mitsubishi

n/a

Type 96 Carrier Fighter?



SANDY

Mitsubishi

n/a

Type 97 Seaplane Fighter



ADAM

Nakajima, Fictional

n/a

Type 1 Dive Bomber?



DOT

Nakajima

n/a

Type 99 Flying Boat



JOAN

Unknown company

n/a

Type T.K.19 Fighter



JOE

Fictional

n/a

Type 99 Dive Bomber Seaplane



JUNE

floatplane D3A

Nagoya Sento-ki 001

Sento-ki 001 Carrier Fighter



JUNE

fictional

Nakajima A1N

Type 3 Carrier Fighter




Biplane

Nakajima A2N

Type 90 Carrier Fighter




Biplane

Nakajima A3N

Type 90 Training Fighter




Biplane

Nakajima A4N

Type 95 Carrier Fighter




Biplane

Nakajima A6M2-N

Type 2 Fighter Seaplane

15-shi Fighter Seaplane


RUFE

Floatplane variant of A6M

Nakajima B4N


9-shi Carrier Torpedo Attacker



Lost to B4Y1

Nakajima B5N

Type 97-1 & 97-2 Carrier Attack Bomber

10-shi Carrier Torpedo Attacker


KATE


Nakajima B5N1-K

Type 97 Model 1 Attacker-Trainer



KATE

B5N Trainer version

Nakajima B6N

Carrier Attack Bomber Tenzan

14-shi Carrier Torpedo Attacker

Tenzan (Heavenly Mountain)

JILL


Nakajima C2N

Fokker Reconnaissance Aircraft




Army Ki-6

Nakajima C3N

Type 97 Carrier Reconnaissance Aircraft

10-shi Carrier (Land) Reconnaissance



Not proceeded with

Nakajima C6N

Carrier Reconnaissance Aircraft Saiun

17-shi Carrier (Land) Reconnaissance

Saiun (Iridescent Cloud)

MYRT


Nakajima D2N


8-shi Carrier Bomber



Lost to D1A

Nakajima D3N


11-shi Carrier Bomber



Lost to D3A

Nakajima E2N

Type 15 Reconnaissance Seaplane




Biplane

Nakajima E4N

Type 90-2 Reconnaissance Seaplane




Biplane

Nakajima E4N2-C

Type 90-2-3 Reconnaissance Aircraft




landplane E4N

Nakajima E7K

Type 97 Seaplane Fighter



ADAM


Nakajima E8N

Type 95 Reconnaissance Seaplane

8-shi Sea Reconnaissance


DAVE


Nakajima E12N


12-shi Two-seat Reconnaissance Seaplane



Lost to E12K

Nakajima G5N


13-shi Attack Bomber Shinzan

Shinzan (Deep Mountain)

LIZ


Nakajima G8N


18-shi Attack Bomber Renzan

Renzan (Mountain Range)

RITA


Nakajima G10N

Super Heavy Bomber Fugaku


Fugaku (Mount Fuji)


Project

Nakajima J1N


13-shi Three-seat Fighter




Nakajima J1N1-C/J1N1-R

Type 2 Reconnaissance Aircraft

13-shi Land Reconnaissance


IRVING

Long-range reconnaissance variant of J1N

Nakajima J1N1-S

Night Fighter Gekko

13-shi Night Fighter

Gekko (Moonlight)

IRVING

Night fighter variant of J1N

Nakajima J5N


18-shi Otsu (B) Type Interceptor Fighter Tenrai

Tenrai (Heavenly Thunder)



Nakajima Kikka

Special Attacker Kikka/Imperial Weapon No.2


Kikka (Orange Blossom)


First Japanese jet aircraft

Nakajima L1N

Type 97 Transport



THORA

Naval version of Ki-34

Nihon K8P


12-shi Primary Trainer Seaplane



Cancelled

Nihon L7P


13-shi Small Amphibious Transport



Cancelled

Nihon MXJ1

Primary Training Glider Wakakusa

17-shi Exp. Research Plane

Wakakusa (Young Grass)



North American KXA

Type A Intermediate Trainer




Two tested

Northrop BXN





2 imported

Potez CXP1





One tested (diesel)

Potez HXP1





One tested

Seversky A8V

Type S Two-seat Fighter



DICK


Showa/Nakajima L2D

Type D Transport & Type 0 Transport



TABBY

licence-built Douglas DC-3

Vought AXV

Type V Interceptor Fighter




One tested

Watanabe A5M4-K

Type 2 Training Fighter

15-shi Fighter-Trainer



trainer variant

Watanabe E9W

Type 96 Small Reconnaissance Seaplane

9-shi Sea Reconnaissance


SLIM

Biplane

Watanabe E14W


12-shi Small Reconnaissance Seaplane




Watanabe K6W


11-shi Advanced Trainer Seaplane



Cancelled

Watanabe K8W


12-shi Primary Trainer Seaplane



Lost to K8K

Yokosuka B4Y

Type 96 Carrier Attack Bomber

9-shi Carrier Torpedo Attacker


JEAN


Yokosuka D2Y


8-shi Carrier Bomber



Lost to D1A

Yokosuka D3Y1-K/D3Y2-K

Type 99 Bomber Trainer


Myojo (Venus)


Based on D3A

Yokosuka D4Y

Carrier Bomber Suisei

13-shi Carrier Dive Bomber

Suisei (Comet)

JUDY/DOT


Yokosuka D4Y1-C/D4Y2-R

Type 2 Reconnaissance

Aircraft



JUDY


Yokosuka D5Y

Special Attacker Myojo Kai




Production designation for D3Y2-K

Yokosuka E1Y

Type 14-1 Reconnaissance Seaplane




Biplane

Yokosuka E5Y

Type 14-2 Kai-1 Reconnaissance Seaplane




Biplane

Yokosuka E6Y

Type 91 Reconnaissance Seaplane




Biplane

Yokosuka E14Y

Type 0 Small Reconnaissance Seaplane

12-shi Sea Reconnaissance


GLEN


Yokosuka H5Y

Type 99 Flying boat

9-shi Flying Boat


CHERRY


Yokosuka H7Y


12-shi Special Flying boat


TILLIE

Project

Yokosuka K1Y

Type 13 Training Seaplane




Biplane

Yokosuka K2Y

Type 3 Primary Trainer





Yokosuka K4Y

Type 90 Training Seaplane





Yokosuka K5Y

Type 93 Advanced Trainer



WILLOW


Yokosuka L3Y

Type 96 Transport



TINA

Converted G3M

Yokosuka MXY1

Test Aircraft

Prototype Experimental Aircraft No. 1



Research

Yokosuka MXY2

Test Aircraft

Prototype Experimental Aircraft No. 2



Research

Yokosuka MXY3

Target Glider




Target drone

Yokosuka MXY4

Yokosuka Navy Type 1 Target Aircraft




Target drone

Yokosuka MXY5

Transport Glider

16-shi Special Transport




Yokosuka MXY6

Ente-type Glider




unpowered glider for J7W development

Yokosuka MXY7 Ohka

Special Attack Aircraft Ohka


Ohka (Cherry blossom)

BAKA


Yokosuka MXY8

Training Glider Akigusa


Akigusa (Autumn grass)



Yokosuka MXY9

Trainer Shuka


Shuka (Autumn flower)


Glider

Yokosuka MXY10

Bomber Ginga Ground Decoy




for P1Y

Yokosuka MXY11

Type 1 Attack Bomber Ground Decoy




for G4M

Yokosuka P1Y

Bomber Ginga

15-shi Land Bomber

Ginga (Galaxy)

FRANCES


Yokosuka P1Y1-S

Night Fighter Hakko

15-shi Night Fighter

Kyokkō (Aurora)



Yokosuka P1Y2-S

Night Fighter Kyokko

15-shi Night Fighter

Hakkō (Corona), later Kyokkō (Aurora)



Yokosuka R1Y


17-shi Reconnaissance Plane Seiun

Seiun (Dawn Cloud)



Yokosuka R2Y


18-shi Reconnaissance Plane Keiun

Keiun (Cirrus Cloud)



Imperial Japanese Army Air Service Aircraft Designations 

Ki (キ) or

Ku ()
Number

Manufacturer

Official Designation
or (Role)

Japanese
Popular Name

Allied
Code Name(s)

Notes

Ka-go

Kayaba

Ka-go Observer (autogyro)




Ki-1

Mitsubishi

Type 93 Heavy Bomber



Monoplane

Ki-2

Mitsubishi

Type 93-2 Twin-Engine Light Bomber


LOUISE

Monoplane

Ki-3

Kawasaki

Type 93 Single-Engine Light Bomber



Biplane

Ki-4

Nakajima

Type 94 Reconnaissance



Biplane

Ki-5

Kawasaki

(Fighter)



Monoplane

Ki-6

Nakajima

Type 95 Model 2 Trainer



License-built Fokker Super Universal

Ki-7

Mitsubishi

(Operations Trainer)



Navy K3M; lost to Ki-6

Ki-8

Nakajima

(Fighter)



Inverted gull-wing

Ki-9

Tachikawa

Type 95 Model 1 Trainer

Churen

SPRUCE


Ki-10

Kawasaki

Type 95 Fighter


PERRY

Last IJA fighter biplane

Ki-11

Nakajima

(Fighter)



Lost to Ki-10

Ki-12

Nakajima

(Fighter)




Ki-13

Nakajima

(Attacker)



Cancelled

Ki-14

Mitsubishi

(Reconnaissance)



Cancelled

Ki-15

Mitsubishi

Type 97 Headquarter Reconnaissance

Karigane – Wild Goose

BABS

Also Navy C5M

Ki-16

Nakajima

(Fuel Transport)



Douglas DC-2 variant

Ki-17

Tachikawa

Type 95 Model 3 Trainer

Shoren – Primary Trainer

CEDAR


Ki-18

Mitsubishi

(Fighter)



Army A5M variant

Ki-19

Nakajima

(Heavy Bomber)



Lost to Mitsubishi Ki-19

Ki-19

Mitsubishi

(Heavy Bomber)



Renamed to Ki-21

Ki-20

Mitsubishi

Type 92 Heavy Bomber



Junkers G-38 variant

Ki-21

Mitsubishi

Type 97 Heavy Bomber


SALLY/GWEN/JANE


Ki-22

Kawasaki

(Heavy bomber)



Cancelled

Ki-23

Fukuda

(Training glider)




Ki-24

Tachikawa

(Primary training glider)



DFS SG 38 Schulgleiter built under license

Ki-25

Tachikawa

(Training glider)




Ki-26

Tachikawa

(Glider)




Ki-27

Nakajima

Type 97 Fighter


NATE/CLINT


Ki-28

Kawasaki

(Fighter)



Lost to Ki-27

Ki-29

Tachikawa

(Light Bomber)



Cancelled

Ki-30

Mitsubishi

Type 97 Light Bomber


ANN

Lost to Ki-32

Ki-31

Nakajima

(Light Bomber)



Cancelled, lost to Ki-28 & Ki-30.

Ki-32

Kawasaki

Type 98 Light Bomber


MARY

Lost to Ki-30

Ki-33

Mitsubishi

(Fighter)



Navy A5M variant lost to Ki-27

Ki-34

Nakajima

Type 97 Transport


THORA

Commercial AT-2

Ki-35

Mitsubishi

(Reconnaissance)



Cancelled

Ki-36

Tachikawa

Type 98 Co-operation Reconnaissance


IDA

Fixed undercarriage

Ki-37

Nakajima

(Fighter)



Cancelled

Ki-38

Kawasaki

(Fighter)



Became Ki-45

Ki-39

Mitsubishi

(Fighter)



Cancelled

Ki-40

Mitsubishi

(HQ Reconnaissance)



Cancelled

Ki-41

Nakajima

(Transport)



Cancelled

Ki-42

Mitsubishi

(Heavy Bomber)



Cancelled

Ki-43

Nakajima

Type 1 Fighter

Hayabusa (Peregrine Falcon)

OSCAR


Ki-44

Nakajima

Type 2 Single-seat Fighter

Shoki (Demon)

TOJO/JOHN


Ki-45

Kawasaki

(Fighter)



Cancelled

Ki-45 Kai

Kawasaki

Type 2 Two-seat Fighter

Toryu (Dragon Slayer)

NICK


Ki-46

Mitsubishi

Type 100 HQ Reconnaissance


DINAH


Ki-47

Mitsubishi

(Light Bomber)



Cancelled

Ki-48

Kawasaki

Type 99 Twin-engine Light Bomber


LILY


Ki-49

Nakajima

Type 100 Heavy Bomber

Donryu (Storm Dragon)

HELEN


Ki-50

Mitsubishi

(Heavy Bomber)



Cancelled

Ki-51

Mitsubishi

Type 99 Attacker/Army Reconnaissance


SONIA


Ki-52

Nakajima

(Dive Bomber)



Cancelled

Ki-53

Nakajima

(Fighter)



Project

Ki-54a

Tachikawa

Type 1 Twin-engine Advanced Trainer


HICKORY


Ki-54b

Tachikawa

Type 1 Operations Trainer


HICKORY


Ki-54c

Tachikawa

Type 1 Transport


HICKORY


Ki-55

Tachikawa

Type 99 Advanced Trainer


IDA

Ki-36 variant

Ki-56

Kawasaki

Type 1 Cargo Transport


THALIA

Type LO/RO variant

Ki-57

Mitsubishi

Type 100 Transport


TOPSY

Navy L4M

Ki-58

Nakajima

(Escort fighter)



Ki-49 variant

Ki-59

Kokusai

Type 1 Transport


THERESA

Commercial TK-3

Ki-60

Kawasaki

(Fighter)



used inline engine

Ki-61

Kawasaki

Type 3 Fighter

Hien (Flying Swallow)

TONY


Ki-62

Nakajima

(Fighter)



Cancelled

Ki-63

Nakajima

(Fighter)



Cancelled; variant of Ki-62 with radial engine

Ki-64

Kawasaki

(Fighter)


ROB

Buried engines

Ki-65

Mitsubishi

(Attacker)



Ki-51 successor project

Ki-65

Manshu

(Heavy Fighter)



project

Ki-66

Kawasaki

(Dive Bomber)



Cancelled

Ki-67

Mitsubishi

Type 4 Heavy Bomber

Hiryū (Flying Dragon)

PEGGY

Also interceptor.

Ki-68

Nakajima

(Long-range Bomber)



Army bomber version of naval G5N, project

Ki-69

Mitsubishi

(Escort fighter)



Ki-67 project

Ki-70

Tachikawa

(HQ Reconnaissance)


CLARA

Cancelled

Ki-71

Manshu

(Attacker)


EDNA

Ki-51 variant

Ki-72

Tachikawa

(Reconnaissance)



Ki-36 variant project

Ki-73

Mitsubishi

(Fighter)


STEVE

Cancelled

Ki-74

Tachikawa

(Reconnaissance Bomber)


PAT/PATSY


Ki-75

Nakajima

(Fighter)



Cancelled

Ki-76

Kokusai

Type 3 Command Liaison


STELLA

Also used for ASW

Ki-77

Tachikawa

Long-range experimental




Ki-78

Kawasaki

High-speed Experimental

Ken-3



Ki-79

Manshu

Type 2 Advanced Trainer



Ki-27 variant

Ki-80

Nakajima

(Formation Commander)



Ki-49 variant

Ki-81

Kawasaki

(Formation Commander)



Ki-48 variant project

Ki-82

Nakajima

(Heavy Bomber)



Cancelled

Ki-83

Mitsubishi

(Long-range Fighter)




Ki-84

Nakajima

Type 4 Fighter

Hayate (Gale)

FRANK


Ki-85

Kawasaki

(Bomber)



Army bomber version of naval G5N, project

Ki-86

Kokusai

Type 4 Basic Trainer


CYPRESS

Bücker Bü 131 built under license

Ki-87

Nakajima

(High-altitude Fighter)




Ki-88

Kawasaki

(Fighter)



Pusher

Ki-89

Kawasaki

(Experimental)



Cancelled

Ki-90

Mitsubishi

(Long-range Bomber)



project

Ki-91

Kawasaki

(Long-range Bomber)



Cancelled

Ki-92

Tachikawa

(Transport)




Ki-93

Rikugun

(Attacker)



57 mm gun

Ki-94

Tachikawa

(High-altitude Fighter)




Ki-95

Mitsubishi

(HQ Reconnaissance)



Ki-83 variant

Ki-96

Kawasaki

(Fighter)




Ki-97

Mitsubishi

(Transport)



Ki-67 Transport

Ki-98

Manshu

(Fighter)




Ki-99

Mitsubishi

(Fighter)



Cancelled

Ki-100

Kawasaki

Type 5 Fighter



Ki-61 variant

Ki-101

Nakajima

(Night Fighter)


PERRY


Ki-102

Kawasaki

Type 4 Assault Aircraft


RANDY


Ki-103

Mitsubishi

(Attacker)



Ki-83 variant

Ki-104

Rikugun

(Fighter)




Ki-105

Kokusai

(Transport)

Ohtori (Phoenix)

BUZZARD

Powered Ku-7

Ki-106

Tachikawa

(Fighter)


FRANK

Wood Ki-84

Ki-107

Tokyo Koku

(Primary Trainer)



Wood

Ki-108

Kawasaki

(High-altitude Fighter)



pressurized cockpit

Ki-109

Mitsubishi

Experimental heavy fighter


PEGGY

Ki-67 with 75mm gun

Ki-110

Tachikawa

(Transport)



Wood Ki-54

Ki-111

Tachikawa

(Fuel tanker)



Cancelled

Ki-112

Mitsubishi

(Heavy Bomber)



Wood Ki-67

Ki-113

Nakajima

(Fighter)



Steel Ki-84

Ki-114

Tachikawa

(Fuel tanker)



Cancelled

Ki-115

Nakajima

(Special Attacker)

Tsurugi – Sabre



Ki-116

Manshu

(Fighter)



Re-engined Ki-84

Ki-117

Nakajima

(Fighter)



Designation for Ki-84N

Ki-118

Mitsubishi

(Fighter)



Cancelled

Ki-119

Kawasaki

(Dive-bomber/torpedo fighter)




Ki-120

Tachikawa

(Transport)



transport variant based on Ki-74

Ki-147

Kawasaki

(Radio-guided air to surface missile)




Ki-148

Kawasaki

Igo-1-B (Guided Bomb)



launched from Ki-48

Ki-167

Mitsubishi

Special Attack

Sakura-dan (Cherry Blossom)


Kamikaze Ki-67

Ki-174

Kawasaki

Special Attack



Single-seat Ki-48 project

Ki-200

Mitsubishi

experimental rocket interceptor

Shusui (Sharp Sword)


Navy J8M1

Ki-201

Nakajima

(Fighter-Bomber)

Karyu (Fire Dragon)


Project

Ki-202

Rikugun

(Interceptor)

Shusui–kai (Sharp Sword-Improved)


Advanced Ki-200

Ki-230

Nakajima

Special Attack



Ki-115 project

Ku-1

Maeda

Maeda Army Type 2 Small Glider



Towed by Ki-51

Ku-2

Tokyo University

(Tailless Research)




Ku-3

Tokyo University

(Tailless Research)




Ku-4

Tokyo University

(Research)



Powered Ku-2 project

Ku-5

Fukuda

(Trainer)



research aircraft

Ku-6

Maeda

(Gliding Tank)



Cancelled

Ku-7

Kokusai

Experimental Transport Glider

Manazuru (White-naped crane)

BUZZARD

Became Ki-105

Ku-8

Kokusai

Type 4 Special Transport


GOOSE, later GANDER

Towed by Ki-21

Ku-9

Fukuda

(Transport)



Cancelled

Ku-10

Maeda

(Special Glider Trainer)




Ku-11

Nihon

(Transport)



Wood

Ku-12

Fukuda

(Glider Trainer)




n/a

Rikugun

Ta-go Special Attacker

Takeyari (Bamboo-spear)



n/a

Kobe

Te-go Observer



Lost to Ka-go

Ka 87

Kawasaki

Type 87 Heavy Bomber



Dornier Do N

n/a

Mitsubishi

Type 87 Light Bomber



IJN Type 13 Carrier Attacker for Army

n/a

Kawasaki

Type 88 Light Bomber



Type 88 Recon. variant

n/a

Kawasaki

Type 88 Reconnaissance Aircraft




n/a

Nakajima

Type 91 Fighter




n/a

Kawasaki

Type 92 Fighter




n/a

Mitsubishi

Type 92 Reconnaissance

2MR8



n/a

Fiat

Type I Heavy Bomber


RUTH


n/a

Lockheed

Type LO Transport


THELMA/TOBY


n/a

Vultee

Type 98 Showa Light Bomber


MILLIE


n/a

Heinkel

Type 98 Medium Bomber


BESS


n/a

Focke-Wulf

(Technology demonstrator)


FRED


n/a

Focke-Wulf

(Technology demonstrator)


TRUDY


n/a

Junkers

(Technology demonstrator)


IRENE


n/a

Junkers

(Technology demonstrator)


JANICE


n/a

Junkers

(Technology demonstrator)


TRIXIE


n/a

Messerschmitt

(Technology demonstrator)


DOC


n/a

Messerschmitt

(Technology demonstrator)


TRIXIE


n/a

Nakajima

Type 97 Fighter?


CLINT


n/a

Nakajima

Type 1 Light Bomber?


JOYCE


n/a

Kawasaki

Type 1 Single-Seat Fighter?


JIM


n/a

Kawasaki

Type 97 Medium Bomber?


JULIA


n/a

Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi Navy Type 97 Fighter


ABDUL

Fictional A5M variant

n/a

Mitsubishi

Type 97 Light Bomber Darai 108


NORMA

Bennett BTC-1

n/a

Mitsubishi

Type 0 Single-Seat Twin-Engine Fighter


FRANK/HARRY


n/a

Mitsubishi

Type 0 Medium Bomber?


GWEN


n/a


Medium Bomber


MAISIE


n/a

Nakajima

Nakajima/Douglas DC-2 transport


TESS

Imported DC-2

n/a

Nakajima

Type AT-27 twin-engine fighter


GUS

fictional aircraft from magazine

n/a

Mitsubishi

Ohtori

Ohtori (Phoenix)

EVE

Civilian Mitsubishi Ki-2-ii

n/a

Kawanishi

Special Attack Aircraft Baika

Baika (Ume Blossom)


project


Zero fighters from the aircraft carrier Kaga taking off to attack Allied forces in New Guinea, January 1942.
 

ONI 232 Restricted, Japanese Military Aircraft Service Types, Japanese Aircraft Class A. (Division of Naval Intelligence, Identification and Characteristics Section, August 1943)

ONI 232 Restricted, Japanese Military Aircraft Minor Operational Types Class B. (Division of Naval Intelligence, Identification and Characteristics Section, August 1943)