Nakajima A6M2-N

Nakajima A6M2-N Type 2 “Rufe”

May 23, 2021 PE Matt 1

During the China Incident the Japanese Navy had made extensive use of floatplanes to augment their land-based units. The Japanese faced a lack of suitable airfields around the coastal cities that were conquered between 1937 […]

Yokosuka D4Y Type 2 Suisei “Judy”

February 20, 2019 PE Matt 0

In 1938 Japan acquired one of the prototype Heinkel He 118 dive bombers that the Luftwaffe had rejected in favour of the Junkers Ju 87. Although this aircraft crashed during trials, its overall performance had […]

Martin Maryland

August 29, 2017 PE Matt 0

In 1938 the US Army Air Corps issued the specifications for a new light bomber, and the subsequent design competition eventually produced 3 production bombers – the Douglas A-20, North American B-25, and the Martin […]

Kawanishi H8K Type 2 “Emily”

December 21, 2016 PE Matt 0

As soon as the Kawanishi H6K entered service, the Imperial Japanese Navy began the search for an improved flying boat to eventually supplant the Type 96. The 13-Shi specifications called for a new flying boat […]

Nakajima Ki-44 Type 2 Shoki “Tojo”

December 5, 2016 PE Matt 2

Shortly after Nakajima had received orders for the Ki-43 “Hayabusa” fighter, they were asked to produce a design for a new interceptor fighter. Unusually for a Japanese fighter the need for manoeuvrability was relaxed in […]

Mitsubishi Ki-57 Type 100 “Topsy”

October 27, 2016 PE Matt 0

The Mitsubishi Ki-57 started life as a design for a new airliner for Nippon Koku, the Japanese airline. It was derived from the successful Ki-21 bomber, which had impressed the airline with its ability to […]

Kawasaki Ki-56 Type 1 “Thalia”

August 20, 2016 PE Matt 0

In 1939 Kawasaki had obtained a license to manufacture Lockheed 14-WG3 transports as the “Type LO” for the Japanese Navy. However, the Japanese Army was also interested in obtained transport aircraft, so they ordered Kawasaki […]

Aichi E11A Type 98 “Laura”

June 8, 2016 PE Matt 0

Whilst the Aichi E10A was accepted for service, the Japanese Navy knew that the aircraft was still lacking in outright performance and only just met the requirements for acceptance. Accordingly, new specifications were issued in […]

Aichi E10A Type 96 “Hank”

June 1, 2016 PE Matt 0

The Japanese plans for war against the United States included using cruisers and other light forces to harry the US Fleet as it sailed across the Pacific. Realising that the sort of attrition envisaged would […]

Watanabe E9W Type 96 “Slim”

March 6, 2016 PE Matt 0

Japan had followed several other navies in attempting to develop small seaplanes to be carried on and launched by submarines. It was hoped that aircraft of this type could extend the scouting range of submarines, […]

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