Knowledge Quiz for Warbird wiz
06-08-2022, 01:20 PM
Senior Member
My Feedback: (3)
Evening clue. Thanks; Ernie P.
What warbird do I describe?
1. This was a very significant aircraft.
2. Not only for the owning nation, but within the world aviation community.
3. It was the first of its type to be utilized in a specific role.
4. And that specific role was to increase greatly in importance over the next decade or so.
5. Also, its continuing development led directly to the creation of one of the most iconic aircraft of all time.
6. The designer of our subject aircraft also designed the iconic aircraft mentioned in clue 5.
7. Our subject was a low-wing monoplane; which wasn’t all that unusual at the time.
8. And, it was an all metal aircraft, which, again, wasn’t all that unusual at the time.
9. The man who headed the design team for our subject aircraft had just designed an unsuccessful aircraft (prior aircraft), to be used in the same role as our subject aircraft.
10. The prior aircraft was the first low-wing cantilever aircraft designed in the owning country.
What warbird do I describe?
1. This was a very significant aircraft.
2. Not only for the owning nation, but within the world aviation community.
3. It was the first of its type to be utilized in a specific role.
4. And that specific role was to increase greatly in importance over the next decade or so.
5. Also, its continuing development led directly to the creation of one of the most iconic aircraft of all time.
6. The designer of our subject aircraft also designed the iconic aircraft mentioned in clue 5.
7. Our subject was a low-wing monoplane; which wasn’t all that unusual at the time.
8. And, it was an all metal aircraft, which, again, wasn’t all that unusual at the time.
9. The man who headed the design team for our subject aircraft had just designed an unsuccessful aircraft (prior aircraft), to be used in the same role as our subject aircraft.
10. The prior aircraft was the first low-wing cantilever aircraft designed in the owning country.
06-09-2022, 07:00 AM
Senior Member
My Feedback: (3)
Morning clue. Thanks; Ernie P.
What warbird do I describe?
1. This was a very significant aircraft.
2. Not only for the owning nation, but within the world aviation community.
3. It was the first of its type to be utilized in a specific role.
4. And that specific role was to increase greatly in importance over the next decade or so.
5. Also, its continuing development led directly to the creation of one of the most iconic aircraft of all time.
6. The designer of our subject aircraft also designed the iconic aircraft mentioned in clue 5.
7. Our subject was a low-wing monoplane; which wasn’t all that unusual at the time.
8. And, it was an all metal aircraft, which, again, wasn’t all that unusual at the time.
9. The man who headed the design team for our subject aircraft had just designed an unsuccessful aircraft (prior aircraft), to be used in the same role as our subject aircraft.
10. The prior aircraft was the first low-wing cantilever aircraft designed in the owning country.
11. Likewise, the prior aircraft was an all metal design.
What warbird do I describe?
1. This was a very significant aircraft.
2. Not only for the owning nation, but within the world aviation community.
3. It was the first of its type to be utilized in a specific role.
4. And that specific role was to increase greatly in importance over the next decade or so.
5. Also, its continuing development led directly to the creation of one of the most iconic aircraft of all time.
6. The designer of our subject aircraft also designed the iconic aircraft mentioned in clue 5.
7. Our subject was a low-wing monoplane; which wasn’t all that unusual at the time.
8. And, it was an all metal aircraft, which, again, wasn’t all that unusual at the time.
9. The man who headed the design team for our subject aircraft had just designed an unsuccessful aircraft (prior aircraft), to be used in the same role as our subject aircraft.
10. The prior aircraft was the first low-wing cantilever aircraft designed in the owning country.
11. Likewise, the prior aircraft was an all metal design.
06-09-2022, 09:08 AM
Senior Member
My Feedback: (3)
Afternoon clue. Thanks; Ernie P.
What warbird do I describe?
1. This was a very significant aircraft.
2. Not only for the owning nation, but within the world aviation community.
3. It was the first of its type to be utilized in a specific role.
4. And that specific role was to increase greatly in importance over the next decade or so.
5. Also, its continuing development led directly to the creation of one of the most iconic aircraft of all time.
6. The designer of our subject aircraft also designed the iconic aircraft mentioned in clue 5.
7. Our subject was a low-wing monoplane; which wasn’t all that unusual at the time.
8. And, it was an all metal aircraft, which, again, wasn’t all that unusual at the time.
9. The man who headed the design team for our subject aircraft had just designed an unsuccessful aircraft (prior aircraft), to be used in the same role as our subject aircraft.
10. The prior aircraft was the first low-wing cantilever aircraft designed in the owning country.
11. Likewise, the prior aircraft was an all metal design.
12. With an open cockpit.
What warbird do I describe?
1. This was a very significant aircraft.
2. Not only for the owning nation, but within the world aviation community.
3. It was the first of its type to be utilized in a specific role.
4. And that specific role was to increase greatly in importance over the next decade or so.
5. Also, its continuing development led directly to the creation of one of the most iconic aircraft of all time.
6. The designer of our subject aircraft also designed the iconic aircraft mentioned in clue 5.
7. Our subject was a low-wing monoplane; which wasn’t all that unusual at the time.
8. And, it was an all metal aircraft, which, again, wasn’t all that unusual at the time.
9. The man who headed the design team for our subject aircraft had just designed an unsuccessful aircraft (prior aircraft), to be used in the same role as our subject aircraft.
10. The prior aircraft was the first low-wing cantilever aircraft designed in the owning country.
11. Likewise, the prior aircraft was an all metal design.
12. With an open cockpit.
06-09-2022, 03:53 PM
Senior Member
My Feedback: (3)
Evening clue. One of the things I occasionally do is to use only the provided clues to see if I can find the subject aircraft. There are now more than enough clues to find the subject aircraft. Thanks; Ernie P.
What warbird do I describe?
1. This was a very significant aircraft.
2. Not only for the owning nation, but within the world aviation community.
3. It was the first of its type to be utilized in a specific role.
4. And that specific role was to increase greatly in importance over the next decade or so.
5. Also, its continuing development led directly to the creation of one of the most iconic aircraft of all time.
6. The designer of our subject aircraft also designed the iconic aircraft mentioned in clue 5.
7. Our subject was a low-wing monoplane; which wasn’t all that unusual at the time.
8. And, it was an all metal aircraft, which, again, wasn’t all that unusual at the time.
9. The man who headed the design team for our subject aircraft had just designed an unsuccessful aircraft (prior aircraft), to be used in the same role as our subject aircraft.
10. The prior aircraft was the first low-wing cantilever aircraft designed in the owning country.
11. Likewise, the prior aircraft was an all metal design.
12. With an open cockpit.
13. And a crew of one.
What warbird do I describe?
1. This was a very significant aircraft.
2. Not only for the owning nation, but within the world aviation community.
3. It was the first of its type to be utilized in a specific role.
4. And that specific role was to increase greatly in importance over the next decade or so.
5. Also, its continuing development led directly to the creation of one of the most iconic aircraft of all time.
6. The designer of our subject aircraft also designed the iconic aircraft mentioned in clue 5.
7. Our subject was a low-wing monoplane; which wasn’t all that unusual at the time.
8. And, it was an all metal aircraft, which, again, wasn’t all that unusual at the time.
9. The man who headed the design team for our subject aircraft had just designed an unsuccessful aircraft (prior aircraft), to be used in the same role as our subject aircraft.
10. The prior aircraft was the first low-wing cantilever aircraft designed in the owning country.
11. Likewise, the prior aircraft was an all metal design.
12. With an open cockpit.
13. And a crew of one.
06-09-2022, 07:30 PM
Senior Member
My Feedback: (3)
Not the Peashooter, HJ; although there is a connection, if somewhat removed, between the two planes. Here's your bonus clue for the effort. Thanks; Ernie P.
What warbird do I describe?
1. This was a very significant aircraft.
2. Not only for the owning nation, but within the world aviation community.
3. It was the first of its type to be utilized in a specific role.
4. And that specific role was to increase greatly in importance over the next decade or so.
5. Also, its continuing development led directly to the creation of one of the most iconic aircraft of all time.
6. The designer of our subject aircraft also designed the iconic aircraft mentioned in clue 5.
7. Our subject was a low-wing monoplane; which wasn’t all that unusual at the time.
8. And, it was an all metal aircraft, which, again, wasn’t all that unusual at the time.
9. The man who headed the design team for our subject aircraft had just designed an unsuccessful aircraft (prior aircraft), to be used in the same role as our subject aircraft.
10. The prior aircraft was the first low-wing cantilever aircraft designed in the owning country.
11. Likewise, the prior aircraft was an all metal design.
12. With an open cockpit.
13. And a crew of one.
14. Two prototypes of the prior aircraft were produced.
What warbird do I describe?
1. This was a very significant aircraft.
2. Not only for the owning nation, but within the world aviation community.
3. It was the first of its type to be utilized in a specific role.
4. And that specific role was to increase greatly in importance over the next decade or so.
5. Also, its continuing development led directly to the creation of one of the most iconic aircraft of all time.
6. The designer of our subject aircraft also designed the iconic aircraft mentioned in clue 5.
7. Our subject was a low-wing monoplane; which wasn’t all that unusual at the time.
8. And, it was an all metal aircraft, which, again, wasn’t all that unusual at the time.
9. The man who headed the design team for our subject aircraft had just designed an unsuccessful aircraft (prior aircraft), to be used in the same role as our subject aircraft.
10. The prior aircraft was the first low-wing cantilever aircraft designed in the owning country.
11. Likewise, the prior aircraft was an all metal design.
12. With an open cockpit.
13. And a crew of one.
14. Two prototypes of the prior aircraft were produced.
06-10-2022, 03:15 AM
Senior Member
My Feedback: (3)
HJ; the A5M Claude is correct. It was an intermediate design between the unsuccessful Mitsubishi 1MF10 (heavy and not maneuverable enough) and the iconic A6M Zero. The A5M was the world's first low wing monoplane shipboard fighter, and engaged the PeaShooter in China. It was in service from 1937 until 1945. Congratulations and you have the floor. Thanks; Ernie P.
What warbird do I describe?
1. This was a very significant aircraft.
2. Not only for the owning nation, but within the world aviation community.
3. It was the first of its type to be utilized in a specific role.
4. And that specific role was to increase greatly in importance over the next decade or so.
5. Also, its continuing development led directly to the creation of one of the most iconic aircraft of all time.
6. The designer of our subject aircraft also designed the iconic aircraft mentioned in clue 5.
7. Our subject was a low-wing monoplane; which wasn’t all that unusual at the time.
8. And, it was an all metal aircraft, which, again, wasn’t all that unusual at the time.
9. The man who headed the design team for our subject aircraft had just designed an unsuccessful aircraft (prior aircraft), to be used in the same role as our subject aircraft.
10. The prior aircraft was the first low-wing cantilever aircraft designed in the owning country.
11. Likewise, the prior aircraft was an all metal design.
12. With an open cockpit.
13. And a crew of one.
14. Two prototypes of the prior aircraft were produced.
15. And both crashed.
16. Despite its advanced design, the military decided they didn’t want the prior design.
17. The prior design was heavy and didn’t handle well.
18. Which were two lessons the designer learned and remembered when he designed our subject aircraft.
19. However, the prior design did have some features which found their way into our subject aircraft, which was of a similar layout.
20. The first prototype of our subject aircraft was radial engined, with inverted gull wings.
21. The second prototype, which was put into production, did not have the inverted gull wings.
22. Various other changes were made to the second prototype; mainly to increase maneuverability and reduce drag.
23. The prototypes easily met the military’s design specs.
24. Top speed was over 50 MPH faster than the military design specs.
25. Even with the fixed landing gear.
26. Which were used for simplicity and because the increase in speed wasn’t worth the extra weight.
Answer: The Mitsubishi A5M
The Mitsubishi A5M, formal Japanese Navy designation Mitsubishi Navy Type 96 Carrier-based Fighter (九六式艦上戦闘機), experimental Navy designation Mitsubishi Navy Experimental 9-Shi Carrier Fighter, company designation Mitsubishi Ka-14, was a Japanese carrier-basedfighter aircraft. It was the world's first low-wing monoplane shipboard fighter to enter service and the predecessor to the famous Mitsubishi A6M "Zero". The Allied reporting name was Claude.
In 1934, the Imperial Japanese Navy prepared a specification for an advanced fighter, requiring a maximum speed of 350 km/h (220 mph) at 3,000 m (9,800 ft) and able to climb to 5,000 m (16,000 ft) in 6.5 minutes. This 9-shi (1934) specification produced designs from both Mitsubishi and Nakajima.
Mitsubishi assigned the task of designing the new fighter to a team led by Jiro Horikoshi (original creator of the similar but unsuccessful Mitsubishi 1MF10, and later responsible for the famous A6M Zero). The resulting design, designated Ka-14 by Mitsubishi, was an all-metal low-wing fighter, with a thin elliptical inverted gull wing and a fixed undercarriage, which was chosen as the increase in performance (estimated as 10% in drag, but only a mere 3% increase in maximum speed) arising from use of a retractable undercarriage was not felt to justify the extra weight. The first prototype, powered by a 447 kW (600 hp) Nakajima Kotobuki 5 radial engine, flew on 4 February 1935. The aircraft far exceeded the requirements of the specification, with a maximum speed of 450 km/h (280 mph) being reached.[4] The second prototype was fitted with a revised, ungulled wing, and after various changes to maximize maneuverability and reduce drag, was ordered into production as the A5M.
With the Ka-14 demonstrating excellent performance, the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force ordered a single modified prototype for evaluation as the Ki-18. While this demonstrated similar performance to the Navy aircraft and hence was far faster than the IJAAF's current fighter, the Kawasaki Ki-10 biplane, the type was rejected by the army owing to its reduced maneuverability.[8] The Army then produced a specification for an improved advanced fighter to replace the Ki-10. Mitsubishi, busy turning the Ka-14 into the A5M, submitted a minimally changed aircraft as the Ki-33, this being defeated by Nakajima's competing aircraft, which was ordered into service as the Ki-27.[9]
The aircraft entered service in early 1937, and soon saw action in aerial battles at the start of the Second Sino-Japanese War,[10] including air-to-air battles with the Republic of China Air Force's Boeing P-26C Model 281 "Peashooters" in the world's first aerial dogfighting and kills between monoplane fighters built of mostly metal.
Chinese Nationalist pilots, primarily flying the Curtiss Hawk III, fought against the Japanese, but the A5M was the better of almost every fighter aircraft it encountered. Though armed with only a pair of 7.7 mm (0.303 in) machine-guns, the new fighter proved effective and damage-tolerant, with excellent manoeuvrability and robust construction.[12] Later on A5M's also provided much-needed escorts for the then-modern but vulnerable Mitsubishi G3M bombers.
The Mitsubishi team continued to improve the A5M, working through versions until the final A5M4, which carried an external underside drop tank to provide fuel for extended range.
The A5M's most competitive adversary in the air was the Polikarpov I-16, a fast and heavily armed fighter flown by both Chinese Air Force regulars and Soviet volunteers. Air battles in 1938, especially on 18 February and 29 April, ranked among the largest air battles ever fought at the time. The battle of 29 April saw 67 Polikarpov fighters (31 I-16s and 36 I-15 bis) against 18 G3Ms escorted by 27 A5Ms. Each side claimed victory: the Chinese/Soviet side claimed 21 Japanese aircraft (11 fighters and 10 bombers) shot down with 50 Japanese airmen killed and two captured having bailed out while losing 12 aircraft and 5 pilots killed; the Japanese claimed they lost only two G3Ms and two A5Ms shot down with over 40 Chinese aircraft shot down.[13]
104 A5M aircraft were modified to accommodate a two-seater cockpit. This version, used for pilot training, was dubbed the A5M4-K. K version aircraft continued to be used for pilot training long after standard A5Ms left front-line service.
Almost all A5Ms had open cockpits. A closed cockpit was tried but found little favor among Navy aviators[[i]citation needed]. All had fixed, non-retractable undercarriage. Wheel spats were a feature of standard fighters but not training aircraft.
The Flying Tigers encountered the Type 96, although not officially, and one was shot down at Mingaladon airfield, Burma on 29 January 1942.[14]
Some A5Ms remained in service at the end of 1941 when the United States entered World War II in the Pacific. US intelligence sources believed the A5M still served as Japan's primary Navy fighter, when in fact the A6M 'Zero' had replaced it on first-line aircraft carriers and with the Tainan Kōkūtai in Taiwan. Other Japanese carriers and Kōkūtai (air groups) continued to use the A5M until production of the Zero caught up with demand. On 1 February 1942, the US carrier USS Enterprise launched air-strikes at Japanese air & naval bases on Roi and Kwajalein Atolls in the Marshall Islands. During these actions, Mitsubishi A5Ms shot down three Douglas SBD dive-bombers, including the aircraft of Lt-Cdr Halstead Hopping, CO of VS-6 Squadron.[15] The last combat actions with the A5M as a fighter took place at the Battle of the Coral Sea on 7 May 1942, when two A5Ms and four A6Ms of the Japanese carrier Shōhō fought against US aircraft that sank their carrier.[16]
In the closing months of the war most remaining A5M airframes were used for kamikaze attacks.
Ka-14
Six prototypes with various engines and design modifications.
A5M1
Navy carrier-based fighter, Model 1 : first production model with 633 kW (850 hp) Kotobuki 2 KAI I engine.
A5M2/2a
Model 21: More powerful engine.
A5M2b
Model 22: First production examples with NACA cowling and 477 kW (640 hp) Kotobuki 3 engine.
A5M3a
Prototypes with 448 kW (601 hp) Hispano-Suiza 12 Xcrs engine.
A5M4
Model 24 (ex-Model 4): The A5M2b with different engine, closed cockpit, additional detachable fuel tank. The last production models (Model 34) with Kotobuki 41 KAI engine.
A5M1-A5M4
780 constructed by Mitsubishi. 39 constructed by Watanabe, 161 manufactured by Naval Ohmura Arsenal.
A5M4-K
Two-seat trainer version of A5M4, 103 constructed by Naval Ohmura Arsenal.
Ki-18
Main article: Mitsubishi Ki-18
Single prototype land-based version for IJAAF, based on the A5M. 410 kW (550 hp) Kotobuki 5 engine.
Ki-33
Main article: Mitsubishi Ki-33
Two prototypes, a development of Ki-18 with a different engine, and closed cockpit.
Total Production (all variants): 1,094
General characteristics
· Crew: 1
· Length: 7.565 m (24 ft 10 in)
· Wingspan: 11 m (36 ft 1 in)
· Height: 3.27 m (10 ft 9 in)
· Wing area: 17.8 m2 (192 sq ft)
· Airfoil: root: B-9 mod. (16%); tip: B-9 mod. (9%)[21]
· Empty weight: 1,216 kg (2,681 lb)
· Gross weight: 1,671 kg (3,684 lb)
· Powerplant: 1 × Nakajima Kotobuki 41 or 41 KAI 9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 530 kW (710 hp) for take-off
585 kW (785 hp) at 3,000 m (9,843 ft)
· Propellers: 3-bladed metal propeller
Performance
· Maximum speed: 435 km/h (270 mph, 235 kn) at 3,000 m (9,843 ft)
· Range: 1,201 km (746 mi, 648 nmi)
· Service ceiling: 9,800 m (32,200 ft)
· Time to altitude: 3,000 m (9,843 ft) in 3 minutes 35 seconds
· Wing loading: 93.8 kg/m2 (19.2 lb/sq ft)
· Power/mass: 0.3161 kW/kg (0.1923 hp/lb)
Armament
· Guns: 2× 7.7 mm (0.303 in) Type 97 aircraft machine gun fuselage-mounted synchronized machine guns firing through the engine cylinders and propeller at about 1 and 11 o'clock.
· Bombs: 2x 30 kg (66 lb) bombs or 1x 160 l (42.27 US gal; 35.20 imp gal) drop-tank
A5M
An A5M2b with arrestor hook and drop tank
Role
Carrier-based fighter
Manufacturer
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd
Designer
Jiro Horikoshi
First flight
4 February 1935
Introduction
1936
Retired
1945
Primary user
Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service
Number built
1,094
Variants
What warbird do I describe?
1. This was a very significant aircraft.
2. Not only for the owning nation, but within the world aviation community.
3. It was the first of its type to be utilized in a specific role.
4. And that specific role was to increase greatly in importance over the next decade or so.
5. Also, its continuing development led directly to the creation of one of the most iconic aircraft of all time.
6. The designer of our subject aircraft also designed the iconic aircraft mentioned in clue 5.
7. Our subject was a low-wing monoplane; which wasn’t all that unusual at the time.
8. And, it was an all metal aircraft, which, again, wasn’t all that unusual at the time.
9. The man who headed the design team for our subject aircraft had just designed an unsuccessful aircraft (prior aircraft), to be used in the same role as our subject aircraft.
10. The prior aircraft was the first low-wing cantilever aircraft designed in the owning country.
11. Likewise, the prior aircraft was an all metal design.
12. With an open cockpit.
13. And a crew of one.
14. Two prototypes of the prior aircraft were produced.
15. And both crashed.
16. Despite its advanced design, the military decided they didn’t want the prior design.
17. The prior design was heavy and didn’t handle well.
18. Which were two lessons the designer learned and remembered when he designed our subject aircraft.
19. However, the prior design did have some features which found their way into our subject aircraft, which was of a similar layout.
20. The first prototype of our subject aircraft was radial engined, with inverted gull wings.
21. The second prototype, which was put into production, did not have the inverted gull wings.
22. Various other changes were made to the second prototype; mainly to increase maneuverability and reduce drag.
23. The prototypes easily met the military’s design specs.
24. Top speed was over 50 MPH faster than the military design specs.
25. Even with the fixed landing gear.
26. Which were used for simplicity and because the increase in speed wasn’t worth the extra weight.
Answer: The Mitsubishi A5M
The Mitsubishi A5M, formal Japanese Navy designation Mitsubishi Navy Type 96 Carrier-based Fighter (九六式艦上戦闘機), experimental Navy designation Mitsubishi Navy Experimental 9-Shi Carrier Fighter, company designation Mitsubishi Ka-14, was a Japanese carrier-basedfighter aircraft. It was the world's first low-wing monoplane shipboard fighter to enter service and the predecessor to the famous Mitsubishi A6M "Zero". The Allied reporting name was Claude.
Design and development
In 1934, the Imperial Japanese Navy prepared a specification for an advanced fighter, requiring a maximum speed of 350 km/h (220 mph) at 3,000 m (9,800 ft) and able to climb to 5,000 m (16,000 ft) in 6.5 minutes. This 9-shi (1934) specification produced designs from both Mitsubishi and Nakajima.
Mitsubishi assigned the task of designing the new fighter to a team led by Jiro Horikoshi (original creator of the similar but unsuccessful Mitsubishi 1MF10, and later responsible for the famous A6M Zero). The resulting design, designated Ka-14 by Mitsubishi, was an all-metal low-wing fighter, with a thin elliptical inverted gull wing and a fixed undercarriage, which was chosen as the increase in performance (estimated as 10% in drag, but only a mere 3% increase in maximum speed) arising from use of a retractable undercarriage was not felt to justify the extra weight. The first prototype, powered by a 447 kW (600 hp) Nakajima Kotobuki 5 radial engine, flew on 4 February 1935. The aircraft far exceeded the requirements of the specification, with a maximum speed of 450 km/h (280 mph) being reached.[4] The second prototype was fitted with a revised, ungulled wing, and after various changes to maximize maneuverability and reduce drag, was ordered into production as the A5M.
With the Ka-14 demonstrating excellent performance, the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force ordered a single modified prototype for evaluation as the Ki-18. While this demonstrated similar performance to the Navy aircraft and hence was far faster than the IJAAF's current fighter, the Kawasaki Ki-10 biplane, the type was rejected by the army owing to its reduced maneuverability.[8] The Army then produced a specification for an improved advanced fighter to replace the Ki-10. Mitsubishi, busy turning the Ka-14 into the A5M, submitted a minimally changed aircraft as the Ki-33, this being defeated by Nakajima's competing aircraft, which was ordered into service as the Ki-27.[9]
Operational history
The aircraft entered service in early 1937, and soon saw action in aerial battles at the start of the Second Sino-Japanese War,[10] including air-to-air battles with the Republic of China Air Force's Boeing P-26C Model 281 "Peashooters" in the world's first aerial dogfighting and kills between monoplane fighters built of mostly metal.
Chinese Nationalist pilots, primarily flying the Curtiss Hawk III, fought against the Japanese, but the A5M was the better of almost every fighter aircraft it encountered. Though armed with only a pair of 7.7 mm (0.303 in) machine-guns, the new fighter proved effective and damage-tolerant, with excellent manoeuvrability and robust construction.[12] Later on A5M's also provided much-needed escorts for the then-modern but vulnerable Mitsubishi G3M bombers.
The Mitsubishi team continued to improve the A5M, working through versions until the final A5M4, which carried an external underside drop tank to provide fuel for extended range.
The A5M's most competitive adversary in the air was the Polikarpov I-16, a fast and heavily armed fighter flown by both Chinese Air Force regulars and Soviet volunteers. Air battles in 1938, especially on 18 February and 29 April, ranked among the largest air battles ever fought at the time. The battle of 29 April saw 67 Polikarpov fighters (31 I-16s and 36 I-15 bis) against 18 G3Ms escorted by 27 A5Ms. Each side claimed victory: the Chinese/Soviet side claimed 21 Japanese aircraft (11 fighters and 10 bombers) shot down with 50 Japanese airmen killed and two captured having bailed out while losing 12 aircraft and 5 pilots killed; the Japanese claimed they lost only two G3Ms and two A5Ms shot down with over 40 Chinese aircraft shot down.[13]
104 A5M aircraft were modified to accommodate a two-seater cockpit. This version, used for pilot training, was dubbed the A5M4-K. K version aircraft continued to be used for pilot training long after standard A5Ms left front-line service.
Almost all A5Ms had open cockpits. A closed cockpit was tried but found little favor among Navy aviators[[i]citation needed]. All had fixed, non-retractable undercarriage. Wheel spats were a feature of standard fighters but not training aircraft.
The Flying Tigers encountered the Type 96, although not officially, and one was shot down at Mingaladon airfield, Burma on 29 January 1942.[14]
Some A5Ms remained in service at the end of 1941 when the United States entered World War II in the Pacific. US intelligence sources believed the A5M still served as Japan's primary Navy fighter, when in fact the A6M 'Zero' had replaced it on first-line aircraft carriers and with the Tainan Kōkūtai in Taiwan. Other Japanese carriers and Kōkūtai (air groups) continued to use the A5M until production of the Zero caught up with demand. On 1 February 1942, the US carrier USS Enterprise launched air-strikes at Japanese air & naval bases on Roi and Kwajalein Atolls in the Marshall Islands. During these actions, Mitsubishi A5Ms shot down three Douglas SBD dive-bombers, including the aircraft of Lt-Cdr Halstead Hopping, CO of VS-6 Squadron.[15] The last combat actions with the A5M as a fighter took place at the Battle of the Coral Sea on 7 May 1942, when two A5Ms and four A6Ms of the Japanese carrier Shōhō fought against US aircraft that sank their carrier.[16]
In the closing months of the war most remaining A5M airframes were used for kamikaze attacks.
Variants
Ka-14
Six prototypes with various engines and design modifications.
A5M1
Navy carrier-based fighter, Model 1 : first production model with 633 kW (850 hp) Kotobuki 2 KAI I engine.
A5M2/2a
Model 21: More powerful engine.
A5M2b
Model 22: First production examples with NACA cowling and 477 kW (640 hp) Kotobuki 3 engine.
A5M3a
Prototypes with 448 kW (601 hp) Hispano-Suiza 12 Xcrs engine.
A5M4
Model 24 (ex-Model 4): The A5M2b with different engine, closed cockpit, additional detachable fuel tank. The last production models (Model 34) with Kotobuki 41 KAI engine.
A5M1-A5M4
780 constructed by Mitsubishi. 39 constructed by Watanabe, 161 manufactured by Naval Ohmura Arsenal.
A5M4-K
Two-seat trainer version of A5M4, 103 constructed by Naval Ohmura Arsenal.
Ki-18
Main article: Mitsubishi Ki-18
Single prototype land-based version for IJAAF, based on the A5M. 410 kW (550 hp) Kotobuki 5 engine.
Ki-33
Main article: Mitsubishi Ki-33
Two prototypes, a development of Ki-18 with a different engine, and closed cockpit.
Total Production (all variants): 1,094
Specifications (Mitsubishi A5M4)
General characteristics
· Crew: 1
· Length: 7.565 m (24 ft 10 in)
· Wingspan: 11 m (36 ft 1 in)
· Height: 3.27 m (10 ft 9 in)
· Wing area: 17.8 m2 (192 sq ft)
· Airfoil: root: B-9 mod. (16%); tip: B-9 mod. (9%)[21]
· Empty weight: 1,216 kg (2,681 lb)
· Gross weight: 1,671 kg (3,684 lb)
· Powerplant: 1 × Nakajima Kotobuki 41 or 41 KAI 9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 530 kW (710 hp) for take-off
585 kW (785 hp) at 3,000 m (9,843 ft)
· Propellers: 3-bladed metal propeller
Performance
· Maximum speed: 435 km/h (270 mph, 235 kn) at 3,000 m (9,843 ft)
· Range: 1,201 km (746 mi, 648 nmi)
· Service ceiling: 9,800 m (32,200 ft)
· Time to altitude: 3,000 m (9,843 ft) in 3 minutes 35 seconds
· Wing loading: 93.8 kg/m2 (19.2 lb/sq ft)
· Power/mass: 0.3161 kW/kg (0.1923 hp/lb)
Armament
· Guns: 2× 7.7 mm (0.303 in) Type 97 aircraft machine gun fuselage-mounted synchronized machine guns firing through the engine cylinders and propeller at about 1 and 11 o'clock.
· Bombs: 2x 30 kg (66 lb) bombs or 1x 160 l (42.27 US gal; 35.20 imp gal) drop-tank
A5M
An A5M2b with arrestor hook and drop tank
Role
Carrier-based fighter
Manufacturer
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd
Designer
Jiro Horikoshi
First flight
4 February 1935
Introduction
1936
Retired
1945
Primary user
Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service
Number built
1,094
Variants
Last edited by Ernie P.; 06-10-2022 at 03:17 AM.
06-10-2022, 04:23 AM
ARE YOU KIDDING ME???????????????
Once again, I was trying to eliminate a couple of what I thought would be wrong options. It might be a day or two before I get a quiz up and running, just so you all know
Once again, I was trying to eliminate a couple of what I thought would be wrong options. It might be a day or two before I get a quiz up and running, just so you all know
06-10-2022, 03:10 PM
Senior Member
My Feedback: (3)
No, I'm not kidding you. You seem to have a knack for good guesses. Enjoy and take your time. Thanks; Ernie P.
06-15-2022, 05:55 PM
Sorry it's been so long, been working a lot of hours this week and helping out the wife with some of her projects last weekend. I'll try to get a quiz up either tonight(working a double shift for the second day in a row) or tomorrow
06-20-2022, 07:35 PM
Senior Member
My Feedback: (3)
HJ; you have a PM. Thanks; Ernie P.
06-21-2022, 08:36 AM
Okay guys, thank you for being patient. Now that I'm not sleepwalking(for the first time in over a week), it's time to get down to business.
Looking for an aircraft:
Looking for an aircraft:
- This aircraft was designed and build in a time where the country that produced it bought pretty much all of their aircraft from other countries
- The aircraft was of a conventional design for the time
- Due to weight issues, the plane was slower than almost all of it's contemporaries
- It was powered by a single engine manufactured by one of the "mainstream" companies of the era
06-22-2022, 05:37 AM
Not much to go on yesterday so here's a few more clues to chew on.
Looking for an aircraft:
Looking for an aircraft:
- This aircraft was designed and build in a time where the country that produced it bought pretty much all of their aircraft from other countries
- The aircraft was of a conventional design for the time
- Due to weight issues, the plane was slower than almost all of it's contemporaries
- It was powered by a single engine manufactured by one of the "mainstream" companies of the era
- The subject aircraft was a single seater
- The subject aircraft was armed with two odd sized guns firing through the prop arc
- Only one was built, using a previous unsuccessful design as a starting point
06-23-2022, 12:11 PM
No guesses? Then I guess it's time for another clue or three.
Looking for an aircraft:
Looking for an aircraft:
- This aircraft was designed and build in a time where the country that produced it bought pretty much all of their aircraft from other countries
- The aircraft was of a conventional design for the time
- Due to weight issues, the plane was slower than almost all of it's contemporaries
- It was powered by a single engine manufactured by one of the "mainstream" companies of the era
- The subject aircraft was a single seater
- The subject aircraft was armed with two odd sized guns firing through the prop arc
- Only one was built, using a previous unsuccessful design as a starting point
- The previous, unsuccessful design also had weight issues
- And was a "sorta" monoplane
- The subject aircraft's engine displaced 18.5 liters and generated 300HP at 2,100 RPM
06-24-2022, 08:32 PM
Senior Member
My Feedback: (3)
No guesses? Then I guess it's time for another clue or three.
Looking for an aircraft:
Looking for an aircraft:
- This aircraft was designed and build in a time where the country that produced it bought pretty much all of their aircraft from other countries
- The aircraft was of a conventional design for the time
- Due to weight issues, the plane was slower than almost all of it's contemporaries
- It was powered by a single engine manufactured by one of the "mainstream" companies of the era
- The subject aircraft was a single seater
- The subject aircraft was armed with two odd sized guns firing through the prop arc
- Only one was built, using a previous unsuccessful design as a starting point
- The previous, unsuccessful design also had weight issues
- And was a "sorta" monoplane
- The subject aircraft's engine displaced 18.5 liters and generated 300HP at 2,100 RPM
HJ; a question, please. In clue (6), you state "The subject aircraft was armed with two odd sized guns firing through the prop arc". Do you mean the two guns were of different sizes, or do you mean their size was an odd size? And don't think we aren't paying attention just because you haven't had any guesses yet. Thanks; Ernie P.
06-25-2022, 09:12 AM
Just for Ernie, I'll throw out a clue that will help 
Looking for an aircraft:
Looking for an aircraft:
- This aircraft was designed and build in a time where the country that produced it bought pretty much all of their aircraft from other countries
- The aircraft was of a conventional design for the time
- Due to weight issues, the plane was slower than almost all of it's contemporaries
- It was powered by a single engine manufactured by one of the "mainstream" companies of the era
- The subject aircraft was a single seater
- The subject aircraft was armed with two odd sized guns firing through the prop arc
- Only one was built, using a previous unsuccessful design as a starting point
- The previous, unsuccessful design also had weight issues
- And was a "sorta" monoplane
- The subject aircraft's engine displaced 18.5 liters and generated 300HP at 2,100 RPM
- The engine used something that would, a few years later, be unheard of, a 90 degree vee
- The guns used a shell that, AFAIK, was used no place else. It was an 8mm or, for those that aren't familiar with it, a .3149"
- The subject and previous unsuccessful plane both had an open cockpit with the pilot sitting under the trailing edge of the wing
- The subject plane was "beaten" in a competition by a plane that, in its earlier versions, was proven to be a formidable "dogfighter"
06-26-2022, 11:16 AM
Looks like it's time for another pair of clues.
Looking for an aircraft:
Looking for an aircraft:
- This aircraft was designed and build in a time where the country that produced it bought pretty much all of their aircraft from other countries
- The aircraft was of a conventional design for the time
- Due to weight issues, the plane was slower than almost all of it's contemporaries
- It was powered by a single engine manufactured by one of the "mainstream" companies of the era
- The subject aircraft was a single seater
- The subject aircraft was armed with two odd sized guns firing through the prop arc
- Only one was built, using a previous unsuccessful design as a starting point
- The previous, unsuccessful design also had weight issues
- And was a "sorta" monoplane
- The subject aircraft's engine displaced 18.5 liters and generated 300HP at 2,100 RPM
- The engine used something that would, a few years later, be unheard of, a 90 degree vee
- The guns used a shell that, AFAIK, was used no place else. It was an 8mm or, for those that aren't familiar with it, a .3149"
- The subject and previous unsuccessful plane both had an open cockpit with the pilot sitting under the trailing edge of the wing
- The subject plane was "beaten" in a competition by a plane that, in its earlier versions, was proven to be a formidable "dogfighter"
- The subject plane was put into development after one of 5 prototypes of the unsuccessful previous design crashed, killing the pilot
- Both planes were made of wood
06-28-2022, 04:21 AM
Senior Member
My Feedback: (3)
Looks like it's time for another pair of clues.
Looking for an aircraft:
Looking for an aircraft:
- This aircraft was designed and build in a time where the country that produced it bought pretty much all of their aircraft from other countries
- The aircraft was of a conventional design for the time
- Due to weight issues, the plane was slower than almost all of it's contemporaries
- It was powered by a single engine manufactured by one of the "mainstream" companies of the era
- The subject aircraft was a single seater
- The subject aircraft was armed with two odd sized guns firing through the prop arc
- Only one was built, using a previous unsuccessful design as a starting point
- The previous, unsuccessful design also had weight issues
- And was a "sorta" monoplane
- The subject aircraft's engine displaced 18.5 liters and generated 300HP at 2,100 RPM
- The engine used something that would, a few years later, be unheard of, a 90 degree vee
- The guns used a shell that, AFAIK, was used no place else. It was an 8mm or, for those that aren't familiar with it, a .3149"
- The subject and previous unsuccessful plane both had an open cockpit with the pilot sitting under the trailing edge of the wing
- The subject plane was "beaten" in a competition by a plane that, in its earlier versions, was proven to be a formidable "dogfighter"
- The subject plane was put into development after one of 5 prototypes of the unsuccessful previous design crashed, killing the pilot
- Both planes were made of wood
Answer: The FVM J 24
The FVM J 23 was a Swedish single seat, single engine, parasol wingfighter aircraft built in the mid-1920s. Five were flown but the type never reached operational status because of structural concerns raised by a fatal accident.
Design and development
The parasol wing of the J 23 had a thick airfoil section, a straight leading edge and a trailing edge which curved forwards to elliptical tips. In the central region the wing became thinner and the chord decreased in front of the cockpit. It was of wooden, two spar construction[3] and plywood covered apart from the ailerons. These were angled, fabric covered and small but slotted to improve their efficiency. Parallel pairs of airfoil section flying struts ran on each side from the lower fuselage to the wing spars at about one third span. Over the fuselage a pair of N-form cabane struts leaned inwards to meet at the wing's centre.
Like the wing, the fuselage and empennage of the J 23 were wooden structures. The elliptical cross section fuselage consisted of pre-shaped, stress bearing plywood panels around a light framework of frames and stringers. The pilot's open cockpit was just aft of the trailing edge, from where he could see both over the wing and through the narrow gap between wing and fuselage. The six cylinder BMW IIIa engine had a fixed pair of machine gun over it in the forward fuselage and its honeycomb radiator was in the nose, with the propeller shaft set low. This was a high compression engine which could only develop full power at altitude, enabling the J 23 to fly high and fast. Its top speed was claimed to be 220 km/h (137 mph) at 1,000 m (3,280 ft) but 250 km/h (155 mph) at 3,000 m (9,840 ft).[2] The 8 mm (0.3 in) m/22 were synchronized, firing through the propeller. At the rear the ply covered fin was surprisingly small and low, though the fabric covered rudder extended down to the keel. The rudder carried a trim tab. The J 23's cantilever, low aspect ratio, D-shaped, ply covered tailplane was mounted on top of the fuselage, carrying balanced elevators with cut outs for rudder movement.
Its fixed undercarriage had mainwheels on a rigid axle, rubber sprung from the crosspiece between two tall V-form legs mounted on the fuselage at the same points as the interplane struts. The axle and crosspiece were enclosed within an airfoil section fairing, which provided some additional lift.
The J 23 first flew in June 1923 and was tail heavy, a fault rectified by an increase in length (several sources, e.g. put the length at about 6.90 m (22 ft 8 in) but L'Aérophile, a year after the first flight, gives 8.50 m (27 ft 11 in)). By July five examples had been built and all appeared at the Gothenburg International Aero Show late in that month. On 10 August 1923 one set a Swedish altitude record of 8,000 m (26,247 ft). Military testing proceeded until 15 March 1924, when there was a fatal, structural wing failure on one J 23. Though work on the aircraft continued and some modifications like an increase in tail area were made, the J 23 was thereafter seen as too fragile for service use.
Work had also been proceeding on the J 24, similar to the J 23 but with a much more powerful 224 kW (300 hp) Hispano-Suiza 8F V-8 engine. Following the J 23 accident, the sole J 24 was converted into a single bay biplane designated the J 24B. It was flown in 1925 but, overweight, its performance was not good enough to interest the military.[1]
Variants
Data from Green and Swanborough p. 235
J 23
Five BMW powered aircraft, first modified then scrapped after the March 1924 accident.
J 24
Similar to the J 23 but with a more powerful, 224 kW (300 hp) Hispano-Suiza 8F V-8. One only.
J 24B
The J .24 rebuilt after the March 1924 J 23 accident as a biplane. One only, flown in 1925.
Specifications
Data from Green and Swanborough p.235[1]General characteristics
· Crew: One
· Length: 6.90 m (22 ft 8 in)
· Wingspan: 11.24 m (36 ft 11 in)
· Height: 2.55 m (8 ft 4 in)
· Wing area: 18.0 m2 (194 sq ft)
· Empty weight: 771 kg (1,700 lb)
· Gross weight: 985 kg (2,172 lb)
· Powerplant: 1 × BMW IIIa 6 cylinder inline engine, watercooled, 138 kW (185 hp)
· Propellers: 2-bladed
Performance
· Maximum speed: 197 km/h (122 mph, 106 kn)
· Service ceiling: 8,000 m (26,000 ft) [3]
· Time to altitude: 9.3 minutes to 3,000 m (9,840 ft)
Armament
· Guns: 2× m/22 fixed 8 mm (0.315 in) machine guns, fitted with synchronization gear and firing through the propeller.
06-28-2022, 05:03 AM
And. once again, Ernie figures it out. Was there any one clue that gave it away?
There was three planes I referenced:
There was three planes I referenced:
- The FVM J23 was the "sorta monoplane"
- The FVM J24 was the subject plane
- The French built Nieuport 29C was the plane the J24 lost out to
06-28-2022, 06:36 AM
Senior Member
My Feedback: (3)
And. once again, Ernie figures it out. Was there any one clue that gave it away?
There was three planes I referenced:
There was three planes I referenced:
- The FVM J23 was the "sorta monoplane"
- The FVM J24 was the subject plane
- The French built Nieuport 29C was the plane the J24 lost out to
06-28-2022, 12:48 PM
Senior Member
My Feedback: (3)
Okay, guys; time to put your thinking caps on. Thanks; Ernie P.
Background: By the 1930s, it was beginning to be obvious some changes had to be made in aircraft design. Designers began to search for an answer to a problem. This plane was one.
What warbird do I describe?
1. This was a significant aircraft.
2. Not only for the owning nation, but within the world aviation community.
Background: By the 1930s, it was beginning to be obvious some changes had to be made in aircraft design. Designers began to search for an answer to a problem. This plane was one.
What warbird do I describe?
1. This was a significant aircraft.
2. Not only for the owning nation, but within the world aviation community.
06-28-2022, 04:31 PM
Senior Member
My Feedback: (3)
Not the Supermarine anything, HJ. But here's a bonus clue to get you restarted. Thanks; Ernie P.
What warbird do I describe?
1. This was a significant aircraft.
2. Not only for the owning nation, but within the world aviation community.
3. Between 50 and 100 were built.
What warbird do I describe?
1. This was a significant aircraft.
2. Not only for the owning nation, but within the world aviation community.
3. Between 50 and 100 were built.