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 the A6M-2 Model 11 fuselage, with a modified tailand added floats. A total of 327 were built, including the original prototype.

The aircraft wasdeployed in 1942, referred to as the "Suisen 2" ("Hydro fightertype 2"), and was only utilized in defensive actions in the Aleutians andSolomon Islands operations. Such seaplanes were effective in harassing AmericanPT boats at night. They could also drop flares to illuminate the PTs which were vulnerable to destroyer gunfire, and depended on cover of darkness. he seaplanealso served as an interceptor for protecting fueling depots in Balikpapan andAvon Bases (Dutch East Indies) and reinforced the Shumushu base (North Kuriles) in the same period. Such fighters served aboard seaplane carriers Kamikawa Maruin the Solomons and Kuriles areas and aboard Japanese raiders Hokoku Maru andAikoku Maru in Indian Ocean raids. In the Aleutian Campaign this fighterengaged with RCAF Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighters and Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress bombers.

The aircraft was used for interceptor, fighter-bomber, and short reconnaissance support for amphibious landings, among other uses.Later in the conflict the Otsu Air Group utilized the A6M2-N as an interceptor alongside Kawanishi N1K1 Kyofu ("Rex") aircraft based in Biwa lake in the Honshū area. The last A6M2-N in military service was a singleexample recovered by the French forces in Indochina after the end of the Second World World War. It crashed shortly after being overhauled. (Wikipedia)

(IJNAF Photo)

Nakajima A6M2-N "Rufe" from Sasebo Air Group.

(IJNAF Photos)

Nakajima A6M2-N, Navy Type 2 Interceptor/Fighter-Bomber, single-crew floatplane codenamed "Rufe", based on the Mitsubishi A6M Zero Model 11.

Nakajima A6M2-N floatplane, ATAIU, in French hands. At the end of the war France attempted to consolidate its interests in the Far East, including French Indochina (Vietnam).  This Mitsubishi A6M2-N Rufe was photographed at Cat Lai in 1946.  The Rufe was a single-seat float seaplane based on the Mitsubishi A6M Zero Model 11.  This was the last A6M2-N in Japanese military service, recovered by the French forces in Indochina in 1946.  It crashed shortly after this photo was taken, killing the pilot.  (Armee de l'Air Photos)

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