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Aichi AB-8 (愛知 AB-8)
Aichi AB-8 (B3A) is a Japanese prototype carrier-based torpedo bomber. Only one prototype was created in early 1933.
History
In 1932, the Japanese navy commissioned the Mitsubishi B2M carrier-based torpedo bomber. Anticipating that this aircraft would quickly become obsolete, in April 1932, they issued a competition to find its successor. The main players in the navy, Mitsubishi and Nakajima, were invited to the 7-Shi competition (at the same time, Yokosuka was asked to develop an upgrade for the Mitsubishi B1M, in case the 7-Shi competition did not materialize). However, among the aircraft suppliers for the Japanese navy, there was another establishment, Aichi Watch Electric Aircraft Department, which was known at that time for reconnaissance seaplanes and licensed aircraft production. In 1932, Aichi wanted to be taken more seriously in the market and entered the 7-Shi competition to develop a dive bomber (the future Aichi D1A1) and, on their own initiative, decided to participate in the 7-Shi competition looking for a new torpedo bomber. The new Aichi aircraft received the internal factory designation AB-8 and was designed by Tokuichiro Gomei. The design work on the Aichi AB-8 lasted until September 1932, after which the construction of the prototype began. During the construction of the prototype, it turned out that Aichi did not have a suitable engine for the prototype aircraft, so a French Lorraine Courlis engine with a starting power of 441 kW was used. The prototype of the aircraft was created in 1933. The Aichi AB-8 was then sent to the Japanese Navy for testing. In the tests, the aircraft participated in comparative tests against the Mitsubishi 3MT10 and the Nakajima B3N. The Aichi’s performance turned out to be disappointing, only slightly better than the aircraft it was meant to replace (the AB-8 was only 20 km/h faster than the Mitsubishi B1M3 and B2M1). Due to its poor performance, the Aichi AB-8 was rejected from the competition, so Aichi decided to use it for another purpose (the B3N and 3MT10 aircraft also did not win the competition due to accidents). After the aircraft returned to the Aichi factories from testing with the Japanese Navy, it became a flying test bed for engines. This allowed for testing of engines that later went into some Aichi aircraft. It is unknown how long the Aichi AB-8 aircraft served this purpose, but it was probably scrapped long before 1941.
The art of Aichi AB-8
Construction description
The Aichi AB-8 is a three-seat biplane aircraft with fixed landing gear. The aircraft’s structure consists of a mixed wooden-metal frame covered with fabric. The plane is powered by a Lorraine Courlis liquid-cooled twelve-cylinder engine with W-shaped cylinders, with a takeoff power of 441 kW (600 HP), which drives a two-bladed metal propeller with a constant pitch and a diameter of 3,750 mm. The aircraft is armed with one fixed 7.7mm machine gun (probably in the nose) and one movable 7.7mm machine gun in the rear gunner position. Up to 800 kg of bombs or a 785 kg Type 91 torpedo can be mounted under the fuselage.
General characteristics
- Crew: 3
- Length: 9,55 m
- Wingspan: 14,00 m
- Height: 3,67 m
- Wing area: 48,3 m2
- Empty weight: 1,770 kg
- Gross weight: 3,200 kg
- Maximum Take-off Weight: ?
- Powerplant: 1 x The Lorraine Courlis is a liquid-cooled twelve-cylinder engine with W-shaped cylinders, with a starting power of 441 kW (600 HP)
- Propellers: Two-blade metal propeller with a constant pitch angle with a diameter of 3,750 mm
Performance
- Maximum speed: 236 km/h
- Cruising speed: 170 km/h
- Range: ?
- Maximum Range: ?
- Service ceiling: 4840 m
- Climb Rate: ?
- Rate of climb: ?
Armament
- Guns:
- 1 x Fixed 7.7mm machine gun in the fuselage (Vickers or Lewis)
- 1 x Mobile machine gun 7.7mm at the rear gunner position (Vickers or Lewis)
- Bombs:
- 800 kg bombs under the hull
- 1 x Torpedo Type 91 under the hull
Special thanks
Summary
Aichi AB-8 is an interesting aircraft for Japan in War Thunder. This aircraft would make a compelling torpedo bomber of the lowest tier, similar to the British Swordfish. Aichi AB-8 could be an aircraft to research, a premium aircraft, or an event aircraft. I encourage you to discuss in the comments and to share your own knowledge on this subject.
Finally, I apologize for the linguistic and logical errors because unfortunately English is not my main language and I had to use google translator.
Internet sources
七試艦上攻撃機 - Wikipedia
Aiči AB-8 7-Ši : Aiči
Aichi experimental 7-shi carrier attack bomber (AB-8) | Secret Projects Forum
Уголок неба ¦ Aichi AB-8
Book sources
- Mikesh, Robert C.; Abe, Shorzoe (1990).Japanese Aircraft, 1910-1941 page 67-68
- Japońskie Samoloty Marynarki 1912-45 część II (Japanese naval aircraft 1912-45 part II) page 29-30
- 日本航空機辞典 1910年(明治43年)～1945年(昭和20年) 上巻 (Encyclopedia of Japanese Aircraft 1910 (Meiji 43) – 1945 (Showa 20), Volume 1) page 175
- 野沢正『日本航空機総集 愛知・空技廠篇』出版協同社, page 62-64
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