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The Zero Fighter was the definitive Imperial Japanese Navy Fighter airplane.
It was designed for speed, range and maneuverability, and had no match at
the start of the World War Second. Armed with two 20 mm cannons and two
7.7mm machine guns, it could cruise for 8 hours with a drop tank attached.
The Imperial Japanese Navy directed both Mitsubishi and Nakajima aircraft
manufacturer to develop the carrier-borne Fighter which was to succeed
CLAUDE (Kyuroku Kansen). However, Nakajima declined it for the various
reason, and only Mitsubishi was to undertake the development. Prototype
ZEKE made first test flight in April 1939.
The Zero Fighter, model 32, A6M3.
With the aim of enhancement of the performance, the engine was renewed
and the shape of the main wings were reshaped. Engine of this type had
the horse power of 1130hp, and the wing tips became more squarish and
are no longer foldable. In the trade off with the higher performance,
the flying range was reduced as the result of the down sized fuel tank.
Technical Data
| Model 32 | A6M3 |
| Production | a total of 343 were built |
| Span | 11.00 m |
| Length | 9.060 m |
| Height | 3.570 m |
| Weight, loaded | 2.535kg |
| Weight, empty | 1.807 kg |
| Powerplant | Sakae 21, fourteen-cylinder air cooled radial. |
| Power | 1,130 hp (on ground) |
| Maximum speed | 294 kt (544 km/h) at 6.000m |
| Armament | 20mm cannon x 2, 7.7mm machine gun x 2 |
| Bomb | two 60 kg bombs |
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The Zero Fighter, model 52, A6M 5, was manufactured with the aim of being an
opponent to the powerfull American Fighters which were endowed with the 2,000
hp class engines. The improvement in speed and reinforcement of firepower are
mainly achieved.
On this model of 52c, two 7.7mm machine guns mounted on the nose section of
upper fuselage were replaced with 13mm machine gun and two 13mm wing-
mounted machine guns. Since the bulletproof equipment was strengthened
and the outer plate of the main wings was thickened, the dive speed
restriction was alleviated to great extent. However, the weight was
increased as the result of the rearmament, and thereby, speed, climbing
ability and maneuverability considerably fell.
Originally, the Zero Fighter was developed as an air superiority fighter,
however, it was transformed to a bomber intercepter and the fighter-
bomber from the production of model 52c.
Technical Data
| Model 52 | A6M 5c |
| Production | a total of 93 were built |
| Span | 11.00 m |
| Length | 9.121 m |
| Height | 3.570 m |
| Weight, loaded | 3.150kg |
| Weight, empty | 2.155kg |
| Powerplant | Sakae 21, fourteen-cylinder air cooled radial. |
| Power | 1,130hp (on ground) |
| Maximum speed | 292 kt (540 km/h) at 6.000m |
| Armament | 20mm cannon x 2 & 13mm machine gun x 3 |
| Bomb | two 60 kg bombs |