Focke-Wulf Fw 190

A German Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-3 of 11./JG 2 after landing in the UK by mistake in June 1942.

The Focke-Wulf Fw 190, nicknamed Würger (Shrike) is a German single-seat, single-engine fighter aircraft designed by Kurt Tank at Focke-Wulf in the late 1930s and widely used during World War II. Along with its well-known counterpart, the Messerschmitt Bf 109, the Fw 190 became the backbone of the Jagdwaffe (Fighter Force) of the Luftwaffe. The twin-row BMW 801 radial engine that powered most operational versions enabled the Fw 190 to lift larger loads than the Bf 109, allowing its use as a day fighter, fighter-bomber, ground-attack aircraft and to a lesser degree, night fighter.

The Fw 190A started flying operationally over France in August 1941 and quickly proved superior in all but turn radius to the Spitfire Mk. V, the main front-line fighter of the Royal Air Force (RAF), particularly at low and medium altitudes. The 190 maintained its superiority over Allied fighters until the introduction of the improved Spitfire Mk. IX. In November/December 1942, the Fw 190 made its air combat debut on the Eastern Front, finding much success in fighter wings and specialized ground attack units (Schlachtgeschwader – Battle Wings or Strike Wings) from October 1943.

The Fw 190A series' performance decreased at high altitudes (usually 6,000 m [20,000 ft] and above), which reduced its effectiveness as a high-altitude interceptor. From the Fw 190's inception, there had been ongoing efforts to address this with a turbosupercharged BMW 801 in the B model, the much longer-nosed C model with efforts to also turbocharge its chosen Daimler-Benz DB 603 inverted V12 powerplant, and the similarly long-nosed D model with the Junkers Jumo 213. Problems with the turbocharger installations on the -B and -C sub-types meant only the D model entered service in September 1944. These high-altitude developments eventually led to the Focke-Wulf Ta 152, which was capable of extreme speeds at medium to high altitudes (755 km/h [408 kn; 469 mph] at 13,500 m [44,300 ft]). While these "long nose" 190 variants and the Ta 152 derivative especially gave the Germans parity with Allied opponents, they arrived too late to affect the outcome of the war.

The Fw 190 was well-liked by its pilots. Some of the Luftwaffe's most successful fighter aces claimed many of their kills while flying it, including Otto Kittel, Walter Nowotny and Erich Rudorffer. The Fw 190 had greater firepower than the Bf 109 and, at low to medium altitude, superior maneuverability, in the opinion of German pilots who flew both fighters. It was regarded as one of the best fighter planes of World War II.

 Focke-Wulf Fw 190 V1 in its original form.

Focke-Wulf Fw 190 V5k in its original form.

Fw 190 A-0s or A-1s of an unknown unit in France.

In 1943, the Japanese Army received one Focke-Wulf Fw 190A-5, and this aircraft was extensively tested during that year. It was most probably delivered by submarine, and also carried standard Luftwaffe camouflage, and was flown in Japanese markings.

 

 

Messerschmitt Bf 109

A Bf 109G-6 of JG 27 "Afrika" in flight, 1943.

The Messerschmitt Bf 109 is a German World War II fighter aircraft that was, along with the Focke-Wulf Fw 190, the backbone of the Luftwaffe's fighter force. The Bf 109 first saw operational service in 1937 during the Spanish Civil War. It was still in service at the end of World War II in 1945. It was one of the most advanced fighters when it first appeared, with an all-metal monocoque construction, a closed canopy, and retractable landing gear. A liquid-cooled, inverted-V12 aero engine powered it. It was called the Me 109 by Allied aircrew and some German aces, even though this was not the official German designation.

The plane was designed by Willy Messerschmitt and Robert Lusser, who worked at Bayerische Flugzeugwerke during the early to mid-1930s. It was conceived as an interceptor. However, later models were developed to fulfill multiple tasks, serving as bomber escort, fighter-bomber, day-, night-, all-weather fighter, ground-attack aircraft, and aerial reconnaissance aircraft. It was supplied to several states during World War II and served with several countries for many years after the war. The Bf 109 is the most produced fighter aircraft in history, with a total of 34,248 airframes produced from 1936 to April 1945. Some of the Bf 109 production took place in Nazi concentration camps through slave labor.

The Bf 109 was flown by the three top-scoring fighter aces of all time, who claimed 928 victories among them while flying with Jagdgeschwader 52, mainly on the Eastern Front. The highest-scoring, Erich Hartmann, was credited with 352 victories. The aircraft was also flown by Hans-Joachim Marseille, the highest-scoring ace in the North African campaign, who shot down 158 enemy aircraft (in about a third of the time). It was also flown by many aces from other countries fighting with Germany, notably the Finn Ilmari Juutilainen, the highest-scoring non-German ace. He scored 58 of his 94 confirmed victories with the Bf 109. Pilots from Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovakia and Italy also flew the fighter. Through constant development, the Bf 109 remained competitive with the latest Allied fighter aircraft until the end of the war.

The third prototype of the Messerschmidt Bf109, V3 with markings D-IQOY (c/n 670), equipped with a Jumo 210 A motor. It was the first prototype equipped with armament, two MG17 machine guns. It served as archetype for the A -series. First flight June 1936.

Circa 1939: Luftwaffe soldiers of the Jagdgeschwader 53 (JG 53) fighter wing (also known as "Ace of Spades") resting at an airfield in front of a Messerschmitt Bf 109E with an open cowling. Behind in the background is a Junkers Ju 52; KBK LW 3.

This Japanese Messerschmitt Bf 109 is certainly not a captured aircraft, but more of a military exchange project. Japanese 109 pilots pose with one of five 109 “Emils” sent to Japan. In 1941, the five Bf 109Es were sent to Japan, without guns and armament, for evaluation. While in Japan they received the standard Japanese Hinomarus (red meatball) and yellow wing leading edges, as well as white numerals on the rudder. A red band outlined in white is around the rear fuselage. Study of the Bf 109 in Japan led to the design of the formidable Kawasaki Ki-61 Hein (Japanese for “Swallow” or “Tony” as it was called by the Allies).

 

Aichi E13A Navy Type Zero Reconnaissance Seaplane "Jake"

Aichi E13A, 902 Kokutai, Japanese Naval Air Force.

 

The Aichi E13A (Allied reporting name: "Jake") is a long-range reconnaissance seaplane used by the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) from 1941 to 1945. Numerically the most important floatplane of the IJN, it could carry a crew of three and a bombload of 250 kg (550 lb). The Navy designation was "Navy Type Zero Reconnaissance Seaplane". 

In China, it operated from seaplane tenders and cruisers. Later, it was used as a scout for the Attack on Pearl Harbor, and was encountered in combat by the United States Navy during the Battles of Coral Sea and Midway. It was in service throughout the conflict, for coastal patrols, strikes against navigation, liaison, officer transports, castaway rescues, and other missions, along with some kamikaze missions in the last days of war. It also served on the super battleships Yamato and Musashi as catapult launched reconnaissance aircraft.

One Aichi E13A was operated by Nazi Germany alongside two Arado Ar 196s out of the base at Penang. The three aircraft formed the East Asia Naval Special Service to assist the German Monsun Gruppe as well as local Japanese naval operations.

Eight examples were operated by the French Navy Air Force during the First Indochina War from 1945 until 1947, while others were believed to be operated by the Naval Air Arm of the Royal Thai Navy before the war. One example (MSN 4326) was surrendered to New Zealand forces after the end of hostilities and was flown briefly by RNZAF personnel, but was not repaired after a float was damaged and subsequently sank at its moorings in Jacquinot Bay. 

Type: Reconnaissance floatplane 

Manufacturer: Aichi Kokuki KK 

Primary users: 

Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service

Royal Thai Navy

French Naval Aviation

Number built: 1,418 

Introduction date: 1941 

First flight: mid-late 1939 

Retired: 1947 

Specifications (E13A1)

Crew: 3 

Length: 11.3 m (37 ft 1 in)   

Wingspan: 14.5 m (47 ft 7 in) 

Height: 4.7 m (15 ft 5 in) 

Wing area: 36 m2 (390 sq ft) 

Empty weight: 2,642 kg (5,825 lb) 

Gross weight: 3,640 kg (8,025 lb) 

Maximum takeoff weight: 4,000 kg (8,818 lb) 

Powerplant: 

1 × Mitsubishi MK8 Kinsei 43 14-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine

790 kW (1,060 hp) for take-off

810 kW (1,080 hp) at 2,000 m (6,600 ft) 

Propellers: 3-bladed metal propeller 

Maximum speed: 376 km/h (234 mph, 203 kn) at 2,180 m (7,150 ft) 

Cruise speed: 222 km/h (138 mph, 120 kn) at 2,000 m (6,600 ft) 

Range: 2,089 km (1,298 mi, 1,128 nmi) 

Endurance: 14+ hours 

Service ceiling: 8,730 m (28,640 ft) 

Time to altitude: 3,000 m (9,800 ft) in 6 minutes 5 seconds 

Wing loading: 101.1 kg/m2 (20.7 lb/sq ft) 

Power/mass: 0.2163 kW/kg (0.1316 hp/lb) 

Guns:  

1× flexible, rearward-firing 7.7 mm (.303 in) Type 92 machine gun for observer

some aircraft fitted 2× 20mm Type 99-2 cannons in a downwards firing position in the belly 

Bombs: 250 kg (551 lb) of bombs

Operators

France

French Navy

Aeronavale

French Air Force - Captured Japanese aircraft.

Japan

Imperial Japanese Navy

Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service

Nazi Germany

Kriegsmarine

Thailand

Royal Thai Navy

People's Republic of China

People's Liberation Army Air Force - surplus or derelict Japanese aircraft

Variants

E13A1: Prototypes and first production model, later designated Model 11.

E13A1-K: Trainer version with dual controls

E13A1a: Redesigned floats, improved radio equipment

E13A1a-S: Night-flying conversion

E13A1b: As E13A1a, with Air-Surface radar

E13A1b-S: Night-flying conversion of above

E13A1c: Anti-surface vessel version equipped with two downward-firing belly-mounted 20 mm Type 99 Mark II cannons in addition to bombs or depth charges.

Production

Constructed by Aichi Tokei Denki KK:133

Constructed by Watanabe (Kyushu Hikoki KK):1,237

Constructed by Dai-Juichi Kaigun Kokusho: 48

Surviving Aircraft

The wrecks of a number of sunken aircraft are recorded. The wreckage of one aircraft is located on-land at an abandoned seaplane base at Lenger Island, off Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia.

One E13A was raised from where it sank and is displayed at the Kakamigahara Aerospace Museum, Kakamigahara, Gifu, Japan. However, it is reportedly in poor condition, lacking its engine, tail floats and one wing.

Another Aichi, a model E13A1 (MSN 4116) was raised from the sea in 1992, close to Minamisatsuma (called Kaseda at the time), and is now on display at the Bansei Tokkō Peace Museum.

Bibliography

Dorr, Robert E.; Bishop, Chris (1996), Vietnam Air War Debrief, London, UK: Aerospace Publishing.

Francillon, René J. (1979), Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War (2nd ed.), London, UK: Putnam & Company.

Millot, Bernard (June 1977). "Aichi E13A "Jake": l'hydravion à tout-fair de la marine impériale" [Aichi E13A: The All-purpose Seaplane of the Imperial Navy]. Le Fana de l'Aviation (in French). No. 91. pp. 24–27.

Pelletier, Alain (August 1995). "Les Avions japonais à Cocardes françaises" [Japanese airplanes in French colors]. Le Fana de l'Aviation (in French). No. 309. pp. 14–23.

E13A1 in flight.

 An Imperial Japanese Navy Aichi E13A seaplane, most likely from the seaplane tender Kamikawa Maru. Location of photo is unknown but may be at Deboyne Islands in May 1942 during the Battle of the Coral Se.

Aichi E13A1.

Circa 1945/46: A Japanese Aichi E13A reconnaissance seaplane (codenamed 'Jake' by the Allies) is loaded aboard a flatbed truck at Seletar airfield by members of 126 Repair and Salvage Unit (RAF).

A Type 0 three-seat reconnaissance seaplane (Aichi E13A) was being launched from the port catapult (Type № 2 Model 5) japanese heavy cruiser Ashigara. Java Sea, May 1943.

According to the tailcode of 58-081 this should be an E13A1 from Kokutai 958, circa 1943. The 958th Kokutai operated in the Rabaul area with forward bases at Rekata Bay and Shortland. 

E13A6.

E13K.

E13K.

E13.

Circa 1943:  Aerial view of an attack on a Japanese seaplane base. Note the planes visible: Probably some four Mitsubishi A6M-2N "Rufe" fighters on the beach, some five Aichi E13A "Jake" reconnaissance planes (one overturned), and two wrecks, one of a 4-engined plane (H6K or H8K). The base was probably located in the Solomons or New Guinea.

E13 Jakes seen on board the IJN Kamikawa Maru, Kiska, June 1942.

E13 Jake crashed on the beach at Palawan. In the background a beached American LST 806.

 

Mitsubishi J2M Raiden "Jack"

Mitsubishi J2M Raiden (“Lightning Bolt”).

 

The Mitsubishi J2M Raiden ("Lightning Bolt") is a single-engined land-based fighter aircraft used by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service in World War II. The Allied reporting name was "Jack". 

This is another design by vaunted designer Jiro Horikoshi, who was the subject of Hayao Miyazaki’s controversial animated feature film “The Wind Rises” (2013). Engine problems and coming along too late in the conflict made it less successful than Horikoshi’s more famous design - the A6M Zero.

The J2M was designed by Jiro Horikoshi, creator of the Mitsubishi A6M Zero, to meet the 14-Shi (14th year of the Showa reign, or 1939 in the Western calendar) official specification. It was to be a strictly local-defense interceptor, intended to counter the threat of high-altitude bomber raids, and thus relied on speed, climb performance, and armament at the expense of maneuverability. The J2M was a sleek, but stubby craft with its oversized Mitsubishi Kasei engine buried behind a long cowling, cooled by an intake fan and connected to the propeller with an extension shaft.

Teething development problems stemming from the engine cooling system, and the main undercarriage members led to a slowdown in production. A continual set of modifications resulted in new variants being introduced with the ultimate high-altitude variant, the J2M4 Model 34 flying for the first time in August 1944. It had a 1,420 hp Kasei 23c engine equipped with a turbocharger (mounted in the side of the fuselage just behind the engine) that allowed the rated power to be maintained up to 9,100 m (29,900 ft). Two upward-aimed, oblique-firing (aimed at seventy degrees) 20 mm cannons, mounted in the German Schräge Musik style, were fitted behind the cockpit with the four wing cannons retained. Unresolved difficulties with the turbocharger caused the project to be terminated after only two experimental J2M4s were built. 

The first few produced J2M2s were delivered to the development units in December 1942 but severe problems were encountered with the engines. Trials and improvements took almost a year and the first batch of the serial built J2M2 Model 11 was delivered to 381st Kōkūtai in December 1943. Parallel with the J2M2, production of the J2M3 Raiden Model 21 started. The first J2M3s appeared in October 1943 but deliveries to combat units started at the beginning of February 1944.

The Raiden made its combat debut in June 1944 during the Battle of the Philippine Sea. Several J2Ms operated from Guam and Saipan and a small number of aircraft were deployed to the Philippines. Later, some J2Ms were based in Japanese airfields in Korea under Genzan Ku: Genzan (Wonsan); Ranan (Nanam); Funei (Nuren); Rashin (Najin); and Konan, for defense of these areas and fighting against Soviet Naval Aviation units.

Primarily designed to defend against the Boeing B-29 Superfortress heavy bomber, the type was handicapped at high altitude by the lack of a turbocharger. However, its four-cannon armament supplied effective firepower and the use of dive and zoom tactics allowed it to score occasionally.

Insufficient numbers and the American switch to night bombing in March 1945 limited its effectiveness.

J2Ms took part in one of the final aerial combats of the Second World War when four Raidens, accompanied by eight Mitsubishi A6M Zeros, all belonging to the 302nd Kokutai, intercepted a formation of US Navy Grumman F6F Hellcats from the aircraft-carrier USS Yorktown during the morning of 15 August 1945 over the Kanto Plain. In the engagement, that took place only two hours before Japan officially announced its surrender, four Hellcats were lost along with two Raidens and two Zeros.

U.S. Technical Air Intelligence Command (TAIC) tested two captured J2Ms using 92 octane fuel plus methanol and calculated maximum speeds using measurements. The J2M2 ("Jack 11") achieved a speed of 407 mph (655 km/h) at 17,400 ft (5,300 m), and the J2M3 ("Jack 21") achieved a speed of 417 mph (671 km/h) at 16,600 ft (5,100 m).

Type: Fighter aircraft

Manufacturer: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

Primary user: Imperial Japanese Navy

Number built: 621

Introduction date: December 1942

First flight: 20 March 1942

Retired: August 1945 

Specifications (J2M3)

Crew: 1

Length: 9.945 m (32 ft 8 in)

Wingspan: 10.8 m (35 ft 5 in)

Height: 3.81 m (12 ft 6 in)

Wing area: 20.05 m2 (215.8 sq ft)

Empty weight: 2,839 kg (6,259 lb)

Gross weight: 3,211 kg (7,079 lb)

Powerplant: 

1 × Mitsubishi MK4R-A Kasei 23a 14-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 1,300 kW (1,800 hp) for take-off

1,174 kW (1,575 hp) at 1,800 m (5,900 ft)

1,051 kW (1,410 hp) at 4,800 m (15,700 ft)

Propellers: 4-bladed constant-speed metal propeller

Maximum speed: 587 km/h (365 mph, 317 kn) at 5,300 m (17,400 ft)

Cruise speed: 351 km/h (218 mph, 190 kn)

Range: 1,898 km (1,179 mi, 1,025 nmi)

Service ceiling: 11,700 m (38,400 ft)

Time to altitude: 6,000 m (20,000 ft) in 6 minutes 14 seconds

Wing loading: 171.3 kg/m2 (35.1 lb/sq ft)

Power/mass: 0.391 kW/kg (0.238 hp/lb)

Armament: 

2x 20 mm (0.787 in) Type 99 Mark 2 machine gun inboard wing-mounted with 190 rpg

2x Type 99 Mark 1 machine gun outboard wing-mounted with 210 rpg

2× 60 kg (132 lb) bombs

or

2 × 200 L (53 US gal; 44 imp gal) drop tanks or a larger central drop tank

Variants

J2M1 Prototype: fitted with the 1,044 kW (1,400 hp) Mitsubishi MK4C Kasei 13 14-cylinder air-cooled radial engine, and armed with two 7.7 mm (.303 in) Type 97 machine guns in the upper fuselage and two wing-mounted 20 mm Type 99 Model II cannon. Eight built.

J2M2 Model 11: Powered by 1,379 kW (1,850 hp) Mitsubishi MK4R-A Kasei 23a 14-cylinder radial engine, same armament as the J2M1.

J2M3 Model 21: Armed with two wing-mounted 20 mm Type 99 Model II cannon and two wing-mounted 20 mm Type 99 Model I cannon.

J2M3a Model 21A: Armed with four wing-mounted 20 mm Type 99 Model II cannon.

J2M4 Model 32: Prototype fitted with the 1,357 kW (1,820 hp) Mitsubishi MK4R-C Kasei 23c engine. Many armament configurations have been reported, e.g., fuselage-mounted oblique-firing 20 mm Type 99 Model I cannon designed to fire upward as it passed underneath a bomber, two wing-mounted 20 mm Type 99 Model II cannon, and two wing-mounted 20 mm Type 99 Model I cannon. Problems with turbocharger; only two experimental versions were built.

J2M5 Model 33: High altitude variant powered by 1,357 kW (1,820 hp) Mitsubishi MK4U-A Kasei 26a engine with mechanically driven supercharger, giving increased high-altitude speed at the expense of range. Two 20 mm Type 99 cannon in fuselage, two 20 mm Type 99 Model II cannon in wings.

J2M5a Model 33A: Armed with four wing-mounted 20 mm Type 99 Model II cannon. Wing cannon were harmonized in trajectory and ballistics with each having 200 rounds per gun.

J2M6 Model 31: Chronologically earlier than J2M4 and J2M5 this version was based on J2M3. Had wider cockpit and improved bubble canopy later used in J2M3 built since July 1943.

J2M6a Model 31A: Chronologically earlier than J2M4 and J2M5 this version was based on J2M3a. Had wider cockpit and improved bubble canopy later used in J2M3a built since July 1943. One J2M6a was built.

J2M7 Model 23A: J2M3 powered by Kasei 26a engine, a few built.

J2M7a Model 23A: J2M3a powered by Kasei 26a engine, a few built.

Production

After the decisive Battle of Midway in 1942 Japan's military leaders rushed to re-equip their forces for defense of the home islands. In fighter designs the interceptor role now took priority over forward projection of offensive power. Allied forces, meanwhile, sought to establish air superiority over Japanese-held territories via B-29 bombing raids on industrial targets.

The struggle to meet production demands sparked a Japanese initiative to recruit shonenko (child labor) from Taiwan (Formosa). Though the target of 25,000 youths was never reached, over 8,400 Taiwanese youths aged 12 to 14 relocated to Mitsubishi plants to help build the J2M Raiden.

The Allied advance took its toll. In 1945 aircraft production in Japan collapsed.

Allied bombing raids of Nagoya began in December 1944 and progressively disrupted production of the J2M. A direct hit on the Mitsubishi Dai San Kokuki Seisakusho aircraft plant caused the complete loss of airframes, machine tools, and jigs. This halted further production.

Production generally suffered less from direct hits on factories, which were rare, but from attacks on suppliers and consequent shortages of material and construction tools.

Operators 

Japan

Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service

Surviving Aircraft 

J2M3 Model 21 c/n 3014 is on display at the Planes of Fame Air Museum in Chino, California. It was brought from Japan in 1945 for technical evaluation by the US Navy. Later declared surplus, it was displayed at the Travel Town Museum in Griffith Park, Los Angeles before it was acquired in 1958 by Planes of Fame founder Edward T. Maloney.

Bibliography 

The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft New York: Barnes & Noble, 1977.

Francillon, René J. (1979). Japanese aircraft of the Pacific War. London: Putnam (new edition 1987 by Putnam Aeronautical Books).

Green, William. Air Enthusiast Magazine, Quarterly Volume 1, Number 2 Bromley, Kent: Pilot Press, 1971.

Green, William. Warplanes of the Second World War, Volume Three: Fighters. London: Macdonald & Co. (Publishers) Ltd., 1973, First edition 1961.

Huggins, Mark (January–February 2004). "Hunters over Tokyo: The JNAF's Air Defence of Japan 1944–1945". Air Enthusiast (109): 66–71.

Izawa, Yasuho & Holmes, Tony. J2M Raiden and N1K1/2 Shiden/Shiden-Kai Aces. Osprey Publishing. 2016 Aircraft of the Aces Number 129.

Ledet, Michel & Osuo, Katshuhiko (January 2001). "Mitsubishi J2M Raiden: l'intercepteur de la Marine japonaise" [Mitsubishi J2M Raiden: The Japanese Navy's Interceptor]. Avions: Toute l'Aéronautique et son histoire (in French) (94): 8–16.

Ledet, Michel & Osuo, Katshuhiko (February 2001). "Mitsubishi J2M Raiden: l'intercepteur de la Marine japonaise". Avions: Toute l'Aéronautique et son histoire (in French) (95): 20–28.

United States Strategic Bombing Survey Aircraft Division. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Corporation Report I, Washington, D.C. 1947.

United States Strategic Bombing Survey Aircraft Division. Army Air Arsenal and Navy Air Depots Corporation Report XIX, Washington, D.C. 1947.

 

December 1945: Japanese aircraft taken over by the Allies in British Malaya were tested and evaluated by Japanese naval aviators under close supervision of RAF officers from Seletar Airfield. Here two Mitsubishi J2M Raiden fighters (known to the Allies as 'Jack'), belonging to the 381 Kokutai of Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service, are flying in close formation during their evaluation flight.

A J2M3 Model 21 in the Planes of Fame.

Mitsubishi J2M.

April 21, 1945: Mitsubishi J2M-3 Raiden fighter ("Jack") in USAAC markings, of the South West Pacific area technical air intelligence unit.

Surrender of Japan, August-September 1945. Japanese planes at a Tokyo Airfield, Japan. Photograph received September 21, 1945.

Over the Philippines, a formation of aircraft led by a captured Japanese Navy interceptor fighter aircraft Mitsubishi J2M Raiden (Thunderbolt, allied code name "Jack"), of the Technical Air Intelligence Unit, South West Pacific Area (SWPA) located at Clark Field, Luzon (Philippines) from the end of January 1945. The aircraft was recovered from a makeshift airstrip in Manila when American forces recaptured the city. Other aircraft in the formation are a Royal Navy Seafire (lower left) and a U.S. Navy Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat. The Mitsubishi J2M's development to full combat status was delayed by technical problems and production indecision, resulting in employment being mainly in the defence of Japan from USAAF bombing.

December 1945:  Japanese aircraft taken over by the Allies in British Malaya were tested and evaluated by Japanese naval pilots under the supervision of Royal Air Force officers. Here a Mitsubishi J2M Raiden (known to the Allies as a 'Jack'), belonging to the 381 Kokutai of Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service, has its engine run prior to flight whilst Japanese ground crew wait in attendance at RAF Seletar.

December 1945: Japanese aircraft taken over by the Allies in Malaya were tested and evaluated by Japanese naval pilots under the supervision of Royal Air Force officers. Here Japanese ground crew watch one of their aircraft. Behind them stands a Mitsubishi J2M Raiden (known to the Allies as a 'Jack').

 Over the Philippines, a Japanese Navy interceptor fighter aircraft Mitsubishi J2M Raiden (Thunderbolt, allied code name "Jack") in flight, of the Technical Air Intelligence Unit, South West Pacific Area (SWPA) located at Clark Field, Luzon (Philippines) from the end of January 1945. The aircraft was recovered from a makeshift airstrip in Manila when American forces recaptured the city. The Mitsubishi J2M's development to full combat status was delayed by technical problems and production indecision, resulting in employment being mainly in the defense of Japan from USAAF bombing.

1943: Prototype Mitsubishi J2M3 Raiden 21 from Yokosuka Naval Air Technical Arsenal testing unit. 

Third production J2M1.

J2M3.

J2M3a Raiden 21a, 302nd Air Corps, operating in the defense of Yokosuka.

J2M3a, 302nd Air Corps, operating in the defense of Yokosuka.

Three-view drawing of J2M3. Starboard side view at top is J2M4.

 

Kyūshū Q1W Tokai "Lorna"

Kyūshū Q1W Tokai (Eastern Sea) the first purpose-built anti-submarine aircraft.

 

The Kyūshū Q1W Tōkai ("Eastern Sea") was a land-based anti-submarine patrol bomber aircraft developed for the Imperial Japanese Navy in World War II. The Allied reporting name was Lorna. Although similar in appearance to the German Junkers Ju 88 medium bomber, the Q1W was a much smaller aircraft with significantly different design details. 

First flown in September 1943, the Tōkai entered service in late 1944/early 1945. The main attribute of this design was its long range, sadly the lack of power of its necessarily frugal 610hp Hitachi Amakaze engines was also its Achilles’ heel. In service they proved to be easy prey due to their poor performance and meager defensive armament. Only around 150 were produced and they were mainly employed as ship convoy escorts in the utterly dangerous Formosa-China-Japan area.

The Imperial Japanese Navy ordered development of the Kyūshū Q1W as the Navy Experimental 17-Shi Patrol Plane in September 1942, and the first test flight took place in September 1943. It entered service in January 1945. The Q1W carried two low-power engines, allowing for long periods of low-speed flight.

In same period Kyūshū built the K11W1 Shiragiku, a bomber training plane (also used in Kamikaze strikes) and the Q3W1 Nankai (South Sea), a specialized antisubmarine version of the K11W. The latter was of all-wood construction and was destroyed during a landing accident on its first flight.

Another specific anti-submarine airplane was the Mitsubishi Q2M1 "Taiyō" (which was derived from Mitsubishi Ki-67 Hiryū "Peggy" Torpedo-bomber), but this did not progress beyond the preliminary design stage. 

Type: Anti-submarine light bomber 

Manufacturer: Kyūshū Aircraft Company

Primary user: Imperial Japanese Navy

Number built: 153

Introduction date: January 1945

First flight: September 1943

Retired: August 1945

Specifications (Q1W1)

Crew: 3

Length: 12.09 m (39 ft 8 in)

Wingspan: 16 m (52 ft 6 in)

Height: 4.12 m (13 ft 6 in)

Wing area: 38.2 m2 (411 sq ft)

Empty weight: 3,102 kg (6,839 lb)

Gross weight: 4,800 kg (10,582 lb) 

Maximum takeoff weight: 5,318 kg (11,724 lb)

Powerplant: 2 × Hitachi GK2 Amakaze 31 9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines, 455 kW (610 hp) each

Propellers: 3-bladed variable-pitch propellers

Maximum speed: 322 km/h (200 mph, 174 kn)

Range: 1,342 km (834 mi, 725 nmi)

Service ceiling: 4,490 m (14,730 ft)

Rate of climb: 3.8 m/s (750 ft/min)

Wing loading: 126 kg/m2 (26 lb/sq ft)

Power/mass: 0.19 kW/kg (0.12 hp/lb)

Armament: 

1 × flexible rearward-firing 7.7 mm Type 92 machine gun

1 or 2 × fixed forward-firing 20 mm Type 99 cannon sometimes fitted

2 × 250 kg (550 lb) bombs or depth charges

Avionics:

Type 3 Model 1 MAD (KMX)

Type 3 Ku-6 Model 4 Radar

ESM Antenna equipment

Variants

Q1W1: one prototype.

Q1W1 Tokai Model 11: main production model.

Q1W2 Tokai Model 21: version with tail surfaces in wood, built in small numbers.

Q1W1-K Tokai-Ren (Eastern Sea-Trainer): trainer with capacity for four, all-wood construction. One prototype built.

Bibliography 

Francillon, R. J. (1979). Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War. London: Putnam & Company Ltd. 

 

Kyūshū Q1W Tokai.

Kyūshū Q1W Tokai.

September 15, 1945: Major Carroll R. West examining controls of a Kyūshū Q1W Tokai on Mizutani Airfield at Hokkaido, Japan.

September 15, 1945: Kyūshū Q1W Tokai aircraft on Mizutani Airfield at Hokkaido, Japan.

Kyūshū Q1W Tokai.