Mitsubishi A6M5
| GENERAL DATA | |||
| Other Designation(s) | Navy
Type 0 carrier fighter "Zero" Model 22 or 52, A6M Rei-sen,
Zeke (official Allied reporting name) |
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| Type | Carrier-borne
Fighter, Fighter-Bomber |
Crew | 1 |
| Manufacturer(s) | Mitsubishi Heavy
Industries, Nakajima |
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| Production | 1701 on total of 10939 A6M All-model
aircraft produced ... with 7 A6M5-K |
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| Prototype first flight | 1944 |
Production | March 1944-1945 |
| Variants | |||
| A6M5 Model 22 | Fuel capacity was increased. Cannons were long barrel. The flaps and ailerons were modified. The skin was heavier gauge to allow faster diving. | ||
| A6M5 Model 52 | Sakae-21 engine. Had wing folding mechanism removed and a rounded tip was installed. Exhaust was modified and provided some extra thrust. Became available in 1944. | ||
| A6M5 Model 52a | Sakae-21 engine. Better armament in wings. Became available in 1944. | ||
| A6M5 Model 52b | Sakae-21 engine. Added armor for pilot and fuel tanks. A fire extinguisher system was added. The armament was improved. Added a 5 mm bullet resistant windscreen. Could carry two 150 liter drop tanks under the wings. Better armament in nose. Could use wing tanks. Bullet proof glass. Ammunition feed was improved. Skin gauge was increased to allow faster diving. Diving speed was 460 mph. Became available in 1944. | ||
| A6M5 Model 52c | Sakae-21 engine. Better armament in wings. A self sealing fuel tank added behind the pilot which caused center of gravity problems. 8 mm plate installed behind the pilot. 55 mm of armored glass installed behind pilot's head. A 37 gallon self sealing fuel tank was placed behind the pilot. Became available in 1944. | ||
| A6M5-S Model 52d | Armament change: To intercept B-29s and other night-flying aircraft, an air arsenal converted some Model 52s to night fighters. They were armed with one 20 mm Type 99 cannon behind the pilot, aimed upward, similar in intent to the Luftwaffe's Schräge Musik installation. However, lack of radar prevented them from being very effective. | ||
| A6M5 Model 63 | Centerline drop tank was replaced by bomb rack that could carry 500 lb bomb. The Model 63 could carry a 33 gallon / 150 liter drop tank under each wing. | ||
| A6M5-K | Trainer. Shorter wing. | ||
| A6M5-K Model 52 | Sakae-21 engine. Trainer. | ||
| DIMENSIONS (Model 52) | |||
| Empty Weight | 2150 kg |
Loaded Weight | 2874kg |
| Wingspan | 12 m |
Length | 9.12 m |
| Height | 3.60 m |
Wing area | 22.44 m² |
| Wing loading | 107.4 kg/m² |
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| ARMAMENT (Model 52) | ||||
| Main Gun | Wings | 2× 20 mm Type 99-2 cannon
|
Ammunition Carried |
2 x125 |
| Secondary Guns | Nose | 2× 7.7 mm (0.303 in) Type 97 MG |
Ammunition Carried | 2 x 600 |
| Bombs | 2× 60 kg bombs or 1×
250 kg bomb |
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Armament variations:
A6M5a Model 52 Ko:
2× 20 mm Type 99-2 cannon (wings) & 2x 7.7 mm (0.303 in) Type
89 (nose)
A6M5b Model 52 Otsu: 2× 20 mm Type 99-2
cannon (wings), 1x 13.2 mm (.51 in) Type 3 MG (nose (right)) & 1x
7.7 mm (0.303 in) Type 89 (nose (left))
A6M5c Model 52 Hei: 2× 20 mm Type 99-2
cannon (wings), 3x 13.2 mm (.51 in) Type 3 MG (wings, nose (right)) &
1x 7.7 mm (0.303 in) Type 89 (nose (left))
A6M5d-S: 2× 20 mm Type 99-2 cannon (wings),
3x 13.2 mm (.51 in) Type 3 MG (wings, nose (right)) & 1x 7.7 mm (0.303
in) Type 89 (nose (left)) +
1 x 20 mm Type 99 cannon behind the pilot, aimed upward
| POWERPLANT (Model 52) | |||
| Engine | 1 ×
Nakajima NK1F Sakae-21 |
Type & Displacement | 14 cylinder air-cooled
radial , 27.9 L |
| Horsepower (maximum) | 1130
hp |
Power/Weight Ratio | 393,18 hp / ton * |
| Fuel Capacity | 590 l (internal
wing tank), 355 l (external drop tank) or 2 x 150 L (external drop
tank)
|
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(*) with Loaded Weight
| PERFORMANCES (Model 52) | |||
| Maximum Speed | 565km/h
at 6000 m |
Cruise Speed | 370 km/h |
| Never exceed Speed | 660 km/h |
Service Ceiling | 11740 m |
| Rate of Climb | 15.7 m/s |
Range | 1870 km, 2328 km (maximum) |
| Sources | |||
| Wikipédia | - | - |
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Drawings |
