History
Wing Span:
36 feet,
11-3/32 inches
Length:
29 feet,
11 inches
Maximum Weight: 6,095 lb.
Performance: Mitsubishi NK1F Sake Engine, 980HP at 19,685 feet
Top Speed:
351 mph
Range:
1,171
miles at cruising speed of 230 mph
Ceiling:
38,520
feet
Rate of Climb: 2,526 feet per minute
Armament: Two Type 99 20mm cannons; one each wing; and two Type
97 machine guns in upper fuselage; Two 132-lb bombs, one under each
wing
The A6M2 and it
follow-on versions were considered one of the finest carrier fighter
designs of WWII.
In 1937, in light of combat reports from China, the
Imperial Japanese Navy established specifications for a new carrier
fighter aircraft. The aircraft had to achieve a maximum speed of 500
km/h at 4000 meters; a climb to 3000 meters in 3.5 minutes; an
endurance a 1.5 to 2 hours at normal power and fully loaded and with
additional fuel tank; or 6 to 8 hours at economical cruising speed;
armament requirement consisted of two 20mm cannons and two 7.7 mm
machine guns, and two 30 kg or 60 kg bombs; a complete radio set; a
wing span of less than 12 meters; and maneuverability at least
comparable to the A5M type 96 aircraft.
The specifications were presented to the Nakajima
and Mitsubishi aircraft manufacturing teams. Nakajima considered the
new requirements unrealistic and pulled out of the running. The
Mitsubishi team, led by Jiro Horikoshi, presented a two-bladed
propeller, low-winged monoplane with a retractable landing gear, and
powered by a Mitsubishi Zuisei 13 engine. The aircraft presented a
large canopy for an excellent view. The first prototype, the A6M1,
was flown my Katsuzo Shima on April 1, 1939. The two-bladed propeller
was soon replaced by a three-bladed propeller. On September 14,
1939, the Japanese Navy accepted the aircraft as the A6M1 Type 0
carrier fighter. After further testing the Mitsubish Zuisei engine
was repaced by the Nakajima Sakae engine and redesignated the A6M2.
On July 31, 1940, the A6M2, named "Reisen", entered into production as
the Navy Type 0 carrier fighter, Model 11.
First Combat:
In August 1940, 15 pre-production A6M2s went to
China. On September 13, 1940, 13 "Reisens", led by Saburo Shindo
attacked 27 Chinese I-15s and I-16s--all the Chinese aircraft were
shot down without any Japanese losses.
War War II:
In November 1940, the aircraft, was redesigned with
manually folding wingtips so that the aircraft could fit on the deck
elevators of Japanese aircraft carriers; it was designated as the
Model 21. Production continued for two years in the Mitsubishi and
Nakajima plants. A total of 1,540 aircrafts of this version were
manufactured. The model 21 took part in the attacks on Pearl Harbor,
the Battle of Midway, the Philippines, the Dutch East Indies, the New
Guinea and the Solomon operations.
In October 1942, the Reisen (Zero) fought its last
air campaign during the Battle of Santa Cruz. Thereafter, the A6M2
was replaced by the A6M3 and relegated to second line duties and
training.
The Reisen provided the basis for two other
versions, the A6M2-N float plane, named the Rufe, and the A6M2-K
two-seat trainer.
In the early years of the Pacific air war, the Reisen was a tight
turning aircraft; it can turn on a dime. To gain its great
maneuverability, it had to sacrifice amour protection for the pilot;
thereby it was fragile and almost completely unprotected from enemy
fire. An American fighter armed with .50 caliber machine guns is
likely to tear the A6M2 in half and instantly kill the pilot if given
a chance to fire from the rear. American pilots respected the Reisen
by avoiding a dog fight. The outcome is the A6M2 would most likely
out maneuver the American fighter. The American fighter pilot's best
approach was a rapid dive onto the rear of the A6M2.
A Japanese Ace, Saburo Saki:
 Probably
the most famous Japanese air war veteran of the Pacific, Saburo Sakai
survived WWII with 64 confirmed aerial victories over US aircraft.
His first actions, after Pearl Harbor, were in the Philippines and
the Dutch East Indies. He shot down the first US bomber, a B-17E
during the third day after the United States entered into WWII. He
flew long-range missions from Rabaul to Guadalcanal before he moved
to New Guinea, where he scored most of his 64 victories.
He was seriously wounded in 1943 during an attack
on a formation of Dauntless dive bombers; whereby, he lost his right
eye. The backseat gunner in a Dauntless creased his skull with a
round. A year later, he was back flying and shot down four more
aircraft. He saw action over Iwo Jima. His last engagement was on
August 17, 1945; two days after Japan surrendered to the Allied
forces.
In a act of chivalry, Sakai was ordered to shoot
down any enemy aircraft during a bombing run of Java. Sakai
encountered a civilian DC-4. He initially assumed important people
were fleeing. He notice a woman and a child through the window, and
decided not to shoot down the aircraft. He ordered the DC-4 pilot to
continue on its course. Years later, he was interviewed by Dutch
newspapermen regarding the event.
Saburo Sakai. a historical advisor to the Microsoft, Inc., during the
production of Combat Flight Simulator 2, died in Tokyo on September
22, 2000 at the age of 84. |
