Mitsubishi A6M "Zero"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_A6M_Zero

Role Fighter
Manufacturer Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
First flight 1 April 1939
Introduction 1 July 1940
Retired 1945 (Japan)
Primary users Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service
Chinese Nationalist Air Force
Produced 1940–1945
Number built 10,939
Variants Nakajima A6M2-N

The Mitsubishi A6M "Zero" is a long-range fighter aircraft, manufactured by
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy from
1940 to 1945. The A6M was designated as the Mitsubishi Navy Type 0 Carrier
Fighter , or the Mitsubishi A6M Rei-sen. The A6M was usually referred to by its
pilots as the "Reisen" (zero fighter), "0" being the last digit of the Imperial
year 2600 (1940) when it entered service with the Imperial Navy. The official
Allied reporting name was "Zeke", although the use of the name "Zero" was later
commonly adopted by the Allies as well.

When it was introduced early in World War II, the Zero was considered the most
capable carrier-based fighter in the world, combining excellent maneuverability
and very long range. The Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service ("IJNAS") also
frequently used the type as a land-based fighter.

In early combat operations, the Zero gained a legendary reputation as a
dogfighter, achieving the outstanding kill ratio of 12 to 1, but by mid-1942 a
combination of new tactics and the introduction of better equipment enabled the
Allied pilots to engage the Zero on generally equal terms. By 1943, inherent
design weaknesses and the failure to develop more powerful aircraft engines
meant that the Zero became less effective against newer enemy fighters, which
possessed greater firepower, armor, and speed, and approached the Zero's
maneuverability. Although the Mitsubishi A6M was outdated by 1944, design delays
and production difficulties of newer Japanese aircraft types meant that it
continued to serve in a front line role until the end of the war. During the
final year of the War in the Pacific, the Zero was also adapted for use in
kamikaze operations. During the course of the war, Japan produced more Zeros
than any other model of combat aircraft.


Specifications (A6M2 Type 0 Model 21)

General characteristics
Crew: one
Length: 9.06 m (29 ft 8 in)
Wingspan: 12.0 m (39 ft 4 in)
Height: 3.05 m (10 ft 0 in)
Wing area: 22.44 m² (241.5 ft²)
Empty weight: 1,680 kg (3,704 lb)
Loaded weight: 2,796 kg (6,164 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Nakajima Sakae 12 radial engine, 709 kW (950 hp)
Aspect ratio: 6.4

Performance
Never exceed speed: 660 km/h (356 kn, 410 mph)
Maximum speed: 534 km/h (287 kn, 332 mph) at 4,550 m (14,930 ft)
Range: 3,104 km (1,675 nmi, 1,929 mi)
Service ceiling: 10,000 m (32,810 ft)
Rate of climb: 15.7 m/s (3,100 ft/min)
Wing loading: 107.4 kg/m² (22.0 lb/ft²)
Power/mass: 294 W/kg (0.18 hp/lb)

Armament
Guns:
Divergence of trajectories between 7.7 mm and 20mm ammunition
2× 7.7 mm (0.303 in) Type 97 aircraft machine guns in the engine cowling, with
500 rounds per gun.
2× 20 mm Type 99-1 cannon in the wings, with 60 rounds per gun.
Bombs:
2× 60 kg (132 lb) bombs or
1× fixed 250 kg (551 lb) bomb for kamikaze attacks






*