Warplanes of Japan: Tachikawa Ki-54

Tachikawa Ki-54 The Tachikawa Ki-54 was a Japanese twin-engine advanced trainer used during the Second World War. The aircraft was named Hickory by the Allies. The Ki-54 was developed in response to an Imperial Japanese Army requirement for a twin-engine advanced trainer, principally for crew training. The prototype first flew in summer 1940 and, on … Read more

Warplanes of Japan: Mitsubishi J8M Shusui

Mitsubishi J8M Shusui (I(JAAF Photo) Mitsubishi J8M1 Navy Experimental 19-Shi Rocket-Powered Interceptor Fighter Shusui (Sharp Sword). The Mitsubishi J8M Shūsui (Japanese: 三菱 J8M 秋水, literally “Autumn Water”,used as a poetic term meaning “Sharp Sword” deriving from theswishing sound of a sword) is a Japanese World War II rocket-poweredinterceptor aircraft closely based on the German Messerschmitt Me … Read more

Warplanes of Japan: Mitsubishi Ki-15

(IJNAF Photo) Mitsubishi C5M Karigane, J-BAAL after joining IJNAF. The Mitsubishi Ki-15 (雁金, Karigane, English: Wild Goose) Army Type 97 Command Reconnaissance aircraft (九七式司令部偵察機, Kyunana-shiki sireibuteisatsuki) was a Japanese reconnaissance aircraft and a light attack bomber of the Second Sino-Japanese War and Pacific War. It began as a fast civilian mail-plane. It was a single-engine, low-wing, … Read more

Warplanes of Japan: Mitsubishi Ki-83

Mitsubishi Ki-83 (IJAAF Photos) Mitsubishi Ki-83, designed as a long-range heavy fighter. The Mitsubishi Ki-83 (キ83) was a Japanese experimental long range heavy fighter designed near the end of the Second World War. It did not reach production status. The Mitsubishi Ki-83 was designed as a long range heavy fighter. It wasdesigned and built by … Read more

Warplanes of Japan: Nakajima A6M2-N floatplane

Nakajima Warplanes  (IJNAF Photo) The Nakajima A6M2-N (Navy Type 2 Interceptor/Fighter-Bomber) was a single-crew floatplane based on the Mitsubishi A6M Zero Model 11. The Allied reporting name for the aircraft was Rufe. The A6M2-N floatplane was developed from the Mitsubishi A6M Type 0, mainly to support amphibious operations and defendremote bases. It was based on … Read more

Warplanes of Japan: Nakajima A4N

Nakajima A4N1-K (IJNAF Photo) The Nakajima A4N was a carrier-based fighter used by the Imperial Japanese Navy, and the last biplane designed by Nakajima. The first prototype was completed in 1934, but due to engine trouble, the aircraft did not see service until 1936. Given the Nakajima internal designation Nakajima YM, the Japanese Navy designation was … Read more

Warplanes of Japan: Nakajima E8N

Nakajima E8N (IJNAF Photos) The Nakajima E8N was a Japanese ship-borne, catapult-launched, reconnaissance seaplane of the Second Sino-Japanese War. It was a single-engine, two-seat biplane with a central main-float and underwing outriggers. During the Pacific War, it was known to the Allies by the reporting name “Dave”. This aircraft was identified by the British as the … Read more

Warplanes of Japan: Mitsubishi J2M Raiden

Mitsubishi J2M Raiden (IJAAF Photo) Mitsubishi J2M3 Model 21 Raiden Navy Interceptor Fighter. The Mitsubishi J2M Raiden (雷電, “Lightning Bolt”) is a single-engined land-based fighteraircraft used by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service in the Second WorldWar. The Allied reporting name was “Jack”. The J2M was designed by Jiro Horikoshi, creator of the Mitsubishi A6M Zero, … Read more

Warplanes of Japan: Mitsubishi Ki-109

Mitsubishi Ki-109 (USAAF Photo) Mitsubishi Ki-109 fighter prototype in the USA.  This twin engine bomber is possibly one of five aircraft listed as a Ki-67 shipped to the USA, designated USAAF FE-2200 scrapped at Middletown, FE-2201 scrapped at Newark, FE-2202 scrapped at Middletown, FE-2203 scrapped at Newark, and FE-2204 also scrapped scrapped at Newark. The … Read more

Warplanes of Japan: Nakajima G8N Renzan

Nakajima G8N1 Renzan (USAAF Photo) The Nakajima G8N Renzan (連山, “Mountain Range”) was a four-engined long-range bomber designed for use by the Imperial Japanese Navy. The Navy designation was “Type 18 land-based attack aircraft” (十八試陸上攻撃機); the Allied code name was “Rita”. In February 1943 the Imperial Navy staff asked Nakajima Aircraft Company to design a four-engined … Read more