Zero - specific questions

I need information regarding the A6M3 Model 22a Zero (with improved
long-barrel cannons), which I have not been able to find elsewhere.

* What was the month/year that this specific model (22a) of the Zero
became operational? I need to know whether it entered service before
or after 1942.

* Did the Model 22a operate extensively off of carriers, or was it
primarily a land-based fighter, like the A6M3 Model 32?

* How many Model 22a's were built (specifically the 22a version, not
the total number of Model 22's)?

* I have read one source that said that the A6M3 Model 22 was the
longest-ranged of all the Zero variants. Is this correct?

"N-6" wrote in message I need information regarding the A6M3 Model 22a
Zero (with improved
long-barrel cannons), which I have not been able to find elsewhere.

* What was the month/year that this specific model (22a) of the Zero

became operational?

July 1941

I need to know whether it entered service before
or after 1942.

Yes

* Did the Model 22a operate extensively off of carriers, or was it
primarily a land-based fighter, like the A6M3 Model 32?

Nakajima built and delivered over 400 to the Navy

* How many Model 22a's were built (specifically the 22a version, not
the total number of Model 22's)?

* I have read one source that said that the A6M3 Model 22 was the
longest-ranged of all the Zero variants. Is this correct?

"Erik Pfeister" wrote in message ...
"N-6" wrote in message I need information regarding the A6M3 Model 22a
Zero (with improved
long-barrel cannons), which I have not been able to find elsewhere.

* What was the month/year that this specific model (22a) of the Zero

became operational?

July 1941

This cannot be correct... I believe you have mistaken which Zero
variant I was asking about (the A6M3 Model 22a). The first Model 22's
weren't built until "towards the end of 1942" (Stewart Wilson,
Aircraft of WWII). I want to know if the development of the Model
22--the 22a--entered service before the end of '42.



I need to know whether it entered service before
or after 1942.

Yes

* Did the Model 22a operate extensively off of carriers, or was it
primarily a land-based fighter, like the A6M3 Model 32?

Nakajima built and delivered over 400 to the Navy

* How many Model 22a's were built (specifically the 22a version, not
the total number of Model 22's)?

* I have read one source that said that the A6M3 Model 22 was the
longest-ranged of all the Zero variants. Is this correct?

On 12 Nov 2003 11:43:44 -0800, (N-6)
wrote:

This cannot be correct... I believe you have mistaken which Zero
variant I was asking about (the A6M3 Model 22a)

Production began in December 1942. Note that production of the 22
followed that of the 32, because Mitsubishi was reverting to the
airframe of the 21 while retaining the more powerful engine of the 32.

(The name is really Two Two, not Twenty-two, with the first number
refering to airframe modifications and the second to the engine.)

I don't know where "a" (otsu?) comes into this.

all the best -- Dan Ford
email: (put CUB in subject line)

see the Warbird's Forum at www.warbirdforum.com
and the Piper Cub Forum at www.pipercubforum.com

Cub Driver wrote in message . ..
On 12 Nov 2003 11:43:44 -0800, (N-6)
wrote:

This cannot be correct... I believe you have mistaken which Zero
variant I was asking about (the A6M3 Model 22a)

Production began in December 1942. Note that production of the 22
followed that of the 32, because Mitsubishi was reverting to the
airframe of the 21 while retaining the more powerful engine of the 32.

Not only did the 22 revert back to the folding wingtips/original
wingspan of the A6M2-21, it added extra fuel tanks in the wings to
cure the A6M3-32's inadequate range characteristics.

(The name is really Two Two, not Twenty-two, with the first number
refering to airframe modifications and the second to the engine.)

I don't know where "a" (otsu?) comes into this.

The aircraft was known as the Navy Type 0 Carrier Fighter Model 22A
when long-barreled 20-mm Type 99 Model 2 Mk 3 cannon were installed
(Joe Baugher).

Thanks for the info on the book. I will look into it...

all the best -- Dan Ford
email: (put CUB in subject line)

see the Warbird's Forum at www.warbirdforum.com
and the Piper Cub Forum at www.pipercubforum.com

The aircraft was known as the Navy Type 0 Carrier Fighter Model 22A
when long-barreled 20-mm Type 99 Model 2 Mk 3 cannon were installed
(Joe Baugher).

What puzzles me about the designation is that Japanese doesn't use the
alphabet. Must be a translation of something else.

Also, the "A" doesn't make any sense where it's situated. What does it
modify, the first 2 or the second?

I notice that in the translation of Hata & Izawa's Japanese Naval
Aces, there is a reference to Zero Model 52 Type C, which strikes me
as more logical. (Again, "C" would be a translation of some other
term.)

Baugher's narratives on Japanese aircraft often don't track Japanese
accounts.

all the best -- Dan Ford
email: (put CUB in subject line)

see the Warbird's Forum at www.warbirdforum.com
and the Piper Cub Forum at www.pipercubforum.com

The best source on the Zero's development that I have found is Robert
Mikesh, Zero: Japan's Legendary Fighter. You can get it at Historic
Aviation: http://tinyurl.com/uobs

all the best -- Dan Ford
email: (put CUB in subject line)

see the Warbird's Forum at www.warbirdforum.com
and the Piper Cub Forum at www.pipercubforum.com