A5M4
![Picture](/uploads/1/4/0/5/14056812/8623277.png)
Year : 1937
Type: Fighter
A single-seater, carrier-based, all-metal monoplane fighter with an open cockpit
and fixed landing gear. The world's first carrier-based monoplane. A prototype
of this fighter first flew on February 4, 1935.
Type: Fighter
A single-seater, carrier-based, all-metal monoplane fighter with an open cockpit
and fixed landing gear. The world's first carrier-based monoplane. A prototype
of this fighter first flew on February 4, 1935.
B5N2
![Picture](/uploads/1/4/0/5/14056812/9906944.png)
Year : 1939
Type: Bomber, Torpedo Bomber
Before the advent of the B5N, Japan used the B2M and B4Y as torpedo biplanes. However, the significant limitations of biplanes were obvious, so in 1935, inspired by the monoplane A5M fighter, the Imperial Japanese Navy developed the 10-Shi torpedo bomber specification.
Type: Bomber, Torpedo Bomber
Before the advent of the B5N, Japan used the B2M and B4Y as torpedo biplanes. However, the significant limitations of biplanes were obvious, so in 1935, inspired by the monoplane A5M fighter, the Imperial Japanese Navy developed the 10-Shi torpedo bomber specification.
H6K4
![Picture](/uploads/1/4/0/5/14056812/4636861.png)
Year : 1939
Type: Bomber, Flying Boat, Torpedo Bomber
A quad-engined all-metal parasol-wing monoplane flying boat. An experimental
version, the Type S, made its first flight on July 14, 1936. The plane was
approved by the Imperial Japanese Navy as Type 97 Large Flying Boat
in 1937. Mass production began in 1938.
Type: Bomber, Flying Boat, Torpedo Bomber
A quad-engined all-metal parasol-wing monoplane flying boat. An experimental
version, the Type S, made its first flight on July 14, 1936. The plane was
approved by the Imperial Japanese Navy as Type 97 Large Flying Boat
in 1937. Mass production began in 1938.
D3A1
![Picture](/uploads/1/4/0/5/14056812/4790153.png)
Year : 1940
Type: Dive Bomber
The single-engine carrier-based Aichi D3A dive bomber, a
metal-construction monoplane, was created by order of Japan’s Supreme Command of
Naval Aviation to replace the obsolete D1A biplane. The shape of the wing and
tail, as well as the presence of special dive brake flaps, came from the German
aircraft company Heineken, which was in active partnership with Aichi.
Type: Dive Bomber
The single-engine carrier-based Aichi D3A dive bomber, a
metal-construction monoplane, was created by order of Japan’s Supreme Command of
Naval Aviation to replace the obsolete D1A biplane. The shape of the wing and
tail, as well as the presence of special dive brake flaps, came from the German
aircraft company Heineken, which was in active partnership with Aichi.
F1M2
![Picture](/uploads/1/4/0/5/14056812/9911338.png)
Year : 1940
Type: Floatplane
A single-engine all-metal biplane with a main central float and two additional underwing floats. It was originally built as a catapult-launched reconnaissance floatplane specializing in gunnery spotting for battleships and heavy cruisers of the Imperial Japanese Navy.
Type: Floatplane
A single-engine all-metal biplane with a main central float and two additional underwing floats. It was originally built as a catapult-launched reconnaissance floatplane specializing in gunnery spotting for battleships and heavy cruisers of the Imperial Japanese Navy.
Ki-49-I
![Picture](/uploads/1/4/0/5/14056812/5768428.png)
Year : 1940
Type: BomberTwin-engine monoplane medium bomber with retractable landing gear and tail wheel. The development of a new medium bomber (heavy bomber, by Japanese standards) for the Japanese Army Air Force began in the spring of 1938. The new airplane was to replace the Mitsubishi Ki-21 bomber.
Type: BomberTwin-engine monoplane medium bomber with retractable landing gear and tail wheel. The development of a new medium bomber (heavy bomber, by Japanese standards) for the Japanese Army Air Force began in the spring of 1938. The new airplane was to replace the Mitsubishi Ki-21 bomber.
A6M2 Zero
![Picture](/uploads/1/4/0/5/14056812/6881835.png)
Year : 1941
Type: Fighter
At its launch, the A6M2 model 11 knew no equal. This single-seater carrier-based fighter was designed to replace the aging A5M. To reduce its weight, duralumin was widely used, and its propeller was made of a lightweight aluminum alloy.
Type: Fighter
At its launch, the A6M2 model 11 knew no equal. This single-seater carrier-based fighter was designed to replace the aging A5M. To reduce its weight, duralumin was widely used, and its propeller was made of a lightweight aluminum alloy.
G4M1
![Picture](/uploads/1/4/0/5/14056812/5427736.png)
Year : 1941
Type: Bomber, Torpedo BomberThe long-range twin-engine Mitsubishi G4M torpedo bomber had a relatively small bomb load of 1000 kg but a long flight range of about 6000 km. Because of the Washington Naval Agreement, Japan was far behind in fleet construction.
Type: Bomber, Torpedo BomberThe long-range twin-engine Mitsubishi G4M torpedo bomber had a relatively small bomb load of 1000 kg but a long flight range of about 6000 km. Because of the Washington Naval Agreement, Japan was far behind in fleet construction.
Ki-43-II
![Picture](/uploads/1/4/0/5/14056812/1369408.png)
Year : 1941
Type: FighterThe single-seater Japanese Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa (Peregrine Falcon) fighter was designed to replace the Ki-27 in the Japanese Imperial Army’s Air Force.
Type: FighterThe single-seater Japanese Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa (Peregrine Falcon) fighter was designed to replace the Ki-27 in the Japanese Imperial Army’s Air Force.
A6M2-N Zero
![Picture](/uploads/1/4/0/5/14056812/6598846.png)
Year : 1942
Type: Fighter, FloatplaneThe single-seater, single-engine float seaplane fighter A6M2-N was created to cover combat operations near atolls, where the construction of airfields was often impossible.
Type: Fighter, FloatplaneThe single-seater, single-engine float seaplane fighter A6M2-N was created to cover combat operations near atolls, where the construction of airfields was often impossible.
A6M3 Zero
![Picture](/uploads/1/4/0/5/14056812/983468.png)
Year : 1942
Type: Fighter
In April of 1942, a new A6M model fighter was launched. The main difference between the A6M3 (model 32) and the A6M2 Model 21 was the new Sakae 21 engine (1130 hp), which had a two-stage supercharger making it more stable at higher altitudes and a screw diameter of 3.05 m (150 mm greater than that of its predecessor). The engine was much heavier and longer than those used in previous models, so to prevent displacement of the center of gravity the engine was moved closer to the cockpit and the main fuel tank’s capacity was reduced from 518 to 470 liters.
Type: Fighter
In April of 1942, a new A6M model fighter was launched. The main difference between the A6M3 (model 32) and the A6M2 Model 21 was the new Sakae 21 engine (1130 hp), which had a two-stage supercharger making it more stable at higher altitudes and a screw diameter of 3.05 m (150 mm greater than that of its predecessor). The engine was much heavier and longer than those used in previous models, so to prevent displacement of the center of gravity the engine was moved closer to the cockpit and the main fuel tank’s capacity was reduced from 518 to 470 liters.
Ki-49-IIA
![Picture](/uploads/1/4/0/5/14056812/2000071.png)
Year : 1942
Type: Bomber
In the spring of 1942, it was decided that the Ki-49 should be fitted with new engines, the Nakajima Ha-109 radial piston engines, rated at 1450 hp. This required only a slight modification of the engine nacelles, as the new engine was a similar size to that of its predecessor. However, the oil cooler could not fit inside the nacelle along with the engine and was put outside, instead. Other changes were made to improve combat conditions: the armor protecting the airplane's crew was upgraded and self-sealing fuel tanks were installed, as well as a new bomb sight.
Type: Bomber
In the spring of 1942, it was decided that the Ki-49 should be fitted with new engines, the Nakajima Ha-109 radial piston engines, rated at 1450 hp. This required only a slight modification of the engine nacelles, as the new engine was a similar size to that of its predecessor. However, the oil cooler could not fit inside the nacelle along with the engine and was put outside, instead. Other changes were made to improve combat conditions: the armor protecting the airplane's crew was upgraded and self-sealing fuel tanks were installed, as well as a new bomb sight.
A6M5 Zero
![Picture](/uploads/1/4/0/5/14056812/1468345.png)
Year : 1943
Type: Fighter
At the beginning of the war, A6M series planes were among the best fighter planes, not only in Japan but also in the world.
However, over time, better Japanese aircraft were needed to effectively counter such enemies as the American F6F Hellcat and the F4U Corsair. The Japanese Navy needed a carrier-based fighter with better speed than the A6Ms could offer. Japan had no engine more powerful than the Sakae 21 (used for the A6M3), so to create the A6M5 Model 52 they had to come up with a number of tricks to coax the best performance they could out of it. The plane’s non-folding wings had rounded wingtips, and their span was reduced to 11 meters (one meter shorter than the A6M2 Model 21). The exhaust system was improved by replacing the common exhaust system with separate exhaust nozzles for each pair of cylinders.
Type: Fighter
At the beginning of the war, A6M series planes were among the best fighter planes, not only in Japan but also in the world.
However, over time, better Japanese aircraft were needed to effectively counter such enemies as the American F6F Hellcat and the F4U Corsair. The Japanese Navy needed a carrier-based fighter with better speed than the A6Ms could offer. Japan had no engine more powerful than the Sakae 21 (used for the A6M3), so to create the A6M5 Model 52 they had to come up with a number of tricks to coax the best performance they could out of it. The plane’s non-folding wings had rounded wingtips, and their span was reduced to 11 meters (one meter shorter than the A6M2 Model 21). The exhaust system was improved by replacing the common exhaust system with separate exhaust nozzles for each pair of cylinders.
Ki-61-Ia-Ko
![Picture](/uploads/1/4/0/5/14056812/6643521.png)
Year : 1943
Type: Fighter
A lightweight multipurpose fighter plane, the Ki-61 Hien («Swallow») was well-armed and well-armored. From the very beginning, the makers of the Ki-61 concerned themselves with protecting the fuel tanks and the pilot. The light multipurpose fighter was an effective answer to «hit-and-run» fighters, thanks to its survivability and high diving speed.
Type: Fighter
A lightweight multipurpose fighter plane, the Ki-61 Hien («Swallow») was well-armed and well-armored. From the very beginning, the makers of the Ki-61 concerned themselves with protecting the fuel tanks and the pilot. The light multipurpose fighter was an effective answer to «hit-and-run» fighters, thanks to its survivability and high diving speed.
Ki-61-Ia-Otsu
![Picture](/uploads/1/4/0/5/14056812/2187589.png)
Year : 1943
Type: Fighter
A lightweight multipurpose fighter plane, the Ki-61 Hien («Swallow») was well-armed and well-armored. From the very beginning, the makers of the Ki-61 concerned themselves with protecting the fuel tanks and the pilot. The light multipurpose fighter was an effective answer to «hit-and-run» fighters, thanks to its survivability and high diving speed.
Type: Fighter
A lightweight multipurpose fighter plane, the Ki-61 Hien («Swallow») was well-armed and well-armored. From the very beginning, the makers of the Ki-61 concerned themselves with protecting the fuel tanks and the pilot. The light multipurpose fighter was an effective answer to «hit-and-run» fighters, thanks to its survivability and high diving speed.
Ki-61-Ia-Hei
![Picture](/uploads/1/4/0/5/14056812/9329581.png)
Year : 1943
Type: Fighter
A lightweight multipurpose fighter plane, the Ki-61 Hien («Swallow») was well-armed and well-armored. From the very beginning, the makers of the Ki-61 concerned themselves with protecting the fuel tanks and the pilot.
Type: Fighter
A lightweight multipurpose fighter plane, the Ki-61 Hien («Swallow») was well-armed and well-armored. From the very beginning, the makers of the Ki-61 concerned themselves with protecting the fuel tanks and the pilot.
N1K2-J
![Picture](/uploads/1/4/0/5/14056812/7615448.png)
Year : 1943
Type: Fighter
A single-seat, all-metal monoplane fighter with a closed canopy. The «Shiden» holds a unique place in the history of airplane construction. This land-based interceptor was based on the N1K1, which had been designed to support amphibious operations.
Type: Fighter
A single-seat, all-metal monoplane fighter with a closed canopy. The «Shiden» holds a unique place in the history of airplane construction. This land-based interceptor was based on the N1K1, which had been designed to support amphibious operations.
N1K2-Ja
![Picture](/uploads/1/4/0/5/14056812/7601456.png)
Year : 1943
Type: Fighter
This fighter-bomber version of the N1K2, the N1K2-Ja Model 21Ko, was developed at the time the N1K2-J began production. The main difference between the two planes was the 21Ko's steel underwing pylons. This Shiden-Kai could carry four 250-kg bombs, two under each wing, or two 500-kg bombs, or two or four 60-kg bombs. It could also carry unguided rockets, like the N1K2-J.
Type: Fighter
This fighter-bomber version of the N1K2, the N1K2-Ja Model 21Ko, was developed at the time the N1K2-J began production. The main difference between the two planes was the 21Ko's steel underwing pylons. This Shiden-Kai could carry four 250-kg bombs, two under each wing, or two 500-kg bombs, or two or four 60-kg bombs. It could also carry unguided rockets, like the N1K2-J.
Ki-200
![Picture](/uploads/1/4/0/5/14056812/1787742.png)
Year : 1945
Type: Fighter
When American Boeing B-29 Superfortresses began to raid the islands of the Empire on a mass scale, the need to create a high-speed, fast-climbing, powerfully armed interceptor became ever more pressing for the Japanese aircraft industry. The Japanese, however, completely lacked experience in creating aircraft of such a class, and some initial work in this field had no effect on the bombing's intensity, since the interceptors available to the Army and the Navy were inadequate.
As usual, help came from Germany. In the autumn of 1943, at Oldenburg Air Base proving ground, Japanese military attachés were presented with a new miracle weapon, the Messerschmitt Me.163 Komet rocket-powered fighter. Its capabilities greatly impressed the Japanese. After brief negotiations, a license to produce the aircraft was purchased for 20 million Reichsmarks. As early as April 1944, a package of documents was dispatched on two Japanese submarines bound for Singapore. Some things were shipped together with the documents, such as a functional Walter HWK 109-509 rocket engine, an airframe, a number of production assemblies, and equipment components. Things did not turn out too well: one of the submarines was lost on the way after being spotted by the Allies. However, the main body of the documents was able to reach the 1st Naval Air Technical Arsenal in Yokosuka.
Type: Fighter
When American Boeing B-29 Superfortresses began to raid the islands of the Empire on a mass scale, the need to create a high-speed, fast-climbing, powerfully armed interceptor became ever more pressing for the Japanese aircraft industry. The Japanese, however, completely lacked experience in creating aircraft of such a class, and some initial work in this field had no effect on the bombing's intensity, since the interceptors available to the Army and the Navy were inadequate.
As usual, help came from Germany. In the autumn of 1943, at Oldenburg Air Base proving ground, Japanese military attachés were presented with a new miracle weapon, the Messerschmitt Me.163 Komet rocket-powered fighter. Its capabilities greatly impressed the Japanese. After brief negotiations, a license to produce the aircraft was purchased for 20 million Reichsmarks. As early as April 1944, a package of documents was dispatched on two Japanese submarines bound for Singapore. Some things were shipped together with the documents, such as a functional Walter HWK 109-509 rocket engine, an airframe, a number of production assemblies, and equipment components. Things did not turn out too well: one of the submarines was lost on the way after being spotted by the Allies. However, the main body of the documents was able to reach the 1st Naval Air Technical Arsenal in Yokosuka.