|
|
 |
|
JAPANESE AIRCRAFT
|
MITSUBISHI A6M ZERO (ZEKE) |
|
The Japanese Zero created havoc over Pearl Harbor, the Philippines, Singapore, and
throughout the Pacific. Over 10,000 were built, more than any other aircraft built in Japan. Capable
of holding its own against most other aircraft, hundreds were used in Kamikaze attacks against the American
forces. Extremely light and very maneuverable, it typically carried two 20mm cannons and two 7.7mm machine
guns. More Zeros were used in Kamikaze attacks than any other aircraft. In the battle of Okinawa 1500
were sent to crash into Task Force 58, inflicting heavy losses to the American fleet. It was successful
as an Army and Navy fighter.
|
JAPANESE ZERO FIGHTER - Ctsy. WEBSHOTS |
KAWASAKI Ki - 61 Swallow, called TONY by the Americans. |
| The Tony was the first Japanese aircraft to use cockpit armor and self sealing fuel
tanks. It was the only Japanese fighter to feature an inverted V type engine. 3,028 were built. The Tony
was a fast, well built structurally fighter carrying four 12.7mm machine guns. Probably the best fighter
used by the Japanese. |
|
JAPANESE "TONY" - Ctsy. Wayland Mayo
JAPANESE "TONY" - Ctsy. Wayland Mayo
|
KAWASAKI Ki - 45s TORYU ( DRAGON KILLER)
Code name NICK by the Americans |
| The two seated twin - engined craft were night interceptors. All Dragon Killers were
heavily armed with up to five machine guns, while many had a unique installation of twin 20mm cannons
mounted to shoot upward at a 30 degree angle. As they attacked from below the B-29s they could strike
the vulnerable underside of the bombers. This deadly arrangement worked very well as they downed many
B-29s using this method. |
DRAGON KILLER CANNONS |
The Japanese utilized many fighters somewhat close in appearance to the Zero. |
| The NAKAJIMA Ki - 84 (FRANK), the NAKAJIMA Ki - 43 (OSCAR) , the NAKAJIMA - Ki - 44
(TOJO), the KAWANISHI N1K1-J (GEORGE), all bearing some resemblance to the highly successful Zero. The
MITSUBISHI J2M (JACK), and the Ki-100-1 GOSHIKISEN were also used. The Ki-44-11-HEi scored big against
the B-29s. The Ki- 84 HAYATES of the 2nd Chutai/73rd Sentai was hastily rushed into service in May 1944
but the unit was virtually destroyed in action in the Philippines. It bore a close resemblance to the
barrel shaped P-47. |
|
JAPANESE KAWANISHI - Ctsy. A.F. MUSEUM
JAPANESE KATE DIVE-BOMBER - Ctsy. WEBSHOTS
|
|
|
|
|