Japanese Warplanes: Mitsubishi 2

Japanese Warplanes built by Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi A7M Reppu (Strong Gale), designed as the successor to the Imperial Japanese Navy's A6M Zero with development beginning in 1942.  Performance objectives were to achieve superior speed, climb, diving, and armament over the Zero, as well as better maneuverability.  As a result, the wing area and overall size were significantly greater, on par with the American Republic P-47 Thunderbolt.  The A7M's allied codename was Sam.  (USN Photos)

Mitsubishi G3M Nell in IJAAF service.  (IJAAF Photos)

Mitsubishi G3M Nell with green cross surrender markings.  (USAAF Photo)

Mitsubishi G4M codenamed Betty in IJNAF service.  (IJNAF Photos)

IJN aviators flying Mitsubishi G4M codenamed "Betty" bombers pressing home a torpedo attack against American ships off Guadalcanal with heavy losses, on 8 August 1942,.  (USN Photo)

Mitsubishi G4M bombers at Yokosuka Naval Air Depot, 1945 after occupation by US Navy.  (USN Photos)

Mitsubishi G4M2, code-named Betty, in surrender colours, white with green crosses.  (USAAF Photos)

Mitsubishi G4M Navy Type 1 Land-based Attack Aircraft, USAAF FE-2205, being prepared for flight testing.  (USAAF Photo)

Mitsubishi G4M2 Navy Type 1 Land-based Attack Aircraft, TAIC-SWPA, later USAAF FE-2205.  Some parts survive in the NASM.  (USAAF Photo)

There are no flyable or intact Mistubishi G4Ms left.  Several wrecks remain scattered in southeast Asia and on Pacific islands, although only one complete aircraft is known to be on display, a G4M1 Model 11, built in Nagoya Works No. 3 on 16 April 1942, tail number 370.  This aircraft, which had likely crash landed before mid-1944, was recovered from Babo Airfield, Indonesia, in 1991.  The wreck is on display in a diorama at the Planes of Fame Air Museum.  Several other locations display pieces of the G4M.

Mitsubishi Ki-21-Ia (Army Type 97 Heavy Bomber Model 1A), codename “Sally” in flight.  (IJAAF Photos)

 (IJAAF Photos)

Mitsubishi J2M3 Model 21 Raiden Navy Interceptor Fighter, codenamed Jack, IJAAF.

Mitsubishi J2M3 Model 21 Raiden Navy Interceptor Fighter, codenamed Jack, in the factory where it was found, guarded by US troops.  (USAAF Photo)

Mitsubishi J2M3 Model 21 Raiden Navy Interceptor Fighter, codenamed Jack, in USN markings.  (USN Photo)

Mitsubishi J2M3 Model 21 Raiden Navy Interceptor Fighter, (Serial No. 3008), captured on the emergency airstrip at Dewey Boulevard, Manila in the Philippines.  It was designated TAIC-SWPA S12, and test flown at Clark Field, Manila.  This aircraft is shown in natural metal finish with pre-war rudder stripes.  The engine of this aircraft seized on its second flight, ending its test evaluation.  (USAAF Photos)

The Mitsubishi J2M Raiden (“Thunderbolt”) was a single-engined land-based fighter aircraft used by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service. The Allied reporting name was “Jack”.  A surviving J2M is on display in the Planes of Fame museum in Chino, California.  Two captured J2Ms were U.S. Technical Air Intelligence Command (TAIC) tested using 92 octane fuel plus methanol, with the J2M2 achieving a speed of 655 km/h (407 mph) at 5,520 m (17,400 ft), and the J2M3 achieving a speed of 671 km/h (417 mph) at 4,980 m (16,600 ft).  Four Raidens were shipped to the USA, with J2M5, USAAF FE-318 and FE-319 scrapped at Middletown in 1946, J2M3, FE-320 scrapped at Park Ridge ca. 1950 and FE-321 scrapped at Middletown in 1946.

 (Dustin May Photo)

(Goshimini Photo)

(Duke le patois Photos)

(Internet Photo)

(Alan Wilson Photo)

Mitsubishi J2M3 Model 21 Raiden Navy Interceptor Fighter, (Serial No. 3014), in the Planes of Fame Museum.  A total of 621 Raidens were built.

Mitsubishi J8M1 Navy Experimental 19-Shi Rocket-Powered Interceptor Fighter Shusui (Sharp Sword).  (IJAAF Photos)

(IJAAF Photos)

Mitsubishi J8M1 Navy Experimental 19-Shi Rocket-Powered Interceptor Fighter Shusui (Sharp Sword), Akikusa glider trainer.

(IJAAF Photos)

Mitsubishi J8M1 Navy Experimental 19-Shi Rocket-Powered Interceptor Fighter Shusui (Sharp Sword), (Serial No. 403), A25.  This aircraft was closely based on the German Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet.  This aircraft was shipped to the USA where it was designated USAAF FE-300.  It is now in the Planes of Fame Museum, Chino, California.  The Shusui was built as a joint project for both the Navy and the Army Air Services, it was designated J8M (Navy) and Ki-200 (Army).  Successful gliding tests were carried out, and one prototype was tested but crashed on take-off on 7 July 1945, and no further tests took place before the war ended.  A total of 60 of the training version (Ku-13, Ki-13, MXY-8, MXY-9) were produced by Yokosuka, Yokoi and Maeda.  Seven of the operational version (J8M1/Ki-200) were built by Mitsubishi.  

(Jeffrey G. Scism Photo)

(Alan Wilson Photo)

(Dustin May Photo)

(Sekinei Photo)

Mitsubishi J8M1 Shusui (Autumn Water) (Serial No. 403), USAAF FE-300, on display in the Planes of Fame Museum, Merrill Field, Chino, California.

Mitsubishi Ki-67 Hiryu (Flying Dragon) Army Type 4 Heavy Bomber, code-named Peggy.  (IJAAF Photos)

(USAAF Photos)

Mitsubishi Ki-67 Hiryu (Flying Dragon) Army Type 4 Heavy Bomber, code-named Peggy, (Serial No. 74-148) of the 74th Hiko Sentai, Matsumoto airfield, Japan, 1945.  This twin engine bomber with the hand-painted USAAF markings is possibly one of five 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.

(IJAAF Photo)

Mitsubishi Ki-109 fighter prototype.  This aircraft is a Ki-67-I modified for daylight fighting.  It was armed with one fixed 75-mm Type 88 Heavy Cannon in the nose and one mobile 12.7-mm (0.5 in) Ho-103 Type 1 machine gun in the tail.  It was equipped with Mitsubishi Ha-104 engines of 1,417 kW (1,900 hp) each or turbochargers Ha-104 Ru with 1,417 kW (1,900 hp) each.  Two were produced.  

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.  (USAAF Photos)

(IJAAF Photos)

Mitsubishi Ki-83, designed as a long-range heavy fighter.

(USAAF Photos)

Mitsubishi Ki-83, in USAAF markings.  This Ki-83 was shipped to the USA for flight tests, where it was designated USAAF FE-151.  It was scrapped at park Ridge, ca. 1950.  These fighters displayed remarkable maneuverability for aircraft of their size, being able to execute a 671 m (2,200 ft) diameter loop in just 31 seconds at a speed of over 644 km/h (400 mph).  The Ki-83 carried a powerful armament of two 30 mm (1.18 in) and two 20 mm cannon in its nose.  Following the war, American aeronautical engineers and American Air Force officials evaluated the four prototype machines with great interest.  In the evaluation flight, Ki-83 recorded 762 km/h (473 mph) top-speed at altitude 7000 m (23,000 ft) with American high-octane fuel.

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