Kaigun A6M2-K (Late)

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A6M2-K_大村_3
Kaigun A6M2-K (Late) (海軍第21航空廠 零式練習用戦闘機一一型 (後期))
The Kaigun A6M2-K is a trainer fighter developed by the 21st Naval Air Arsenal based on Mitsubishi’s A6M2.Production of the “Late” model was carried out by Hitachi Aircraft, and 279 aircraft (though some sources cite 238) were produced by the end of the war.
Note
Although there were significant changes to the wings, the IJN did not assign a separate model designation to the A6M2-K. Therefore, the term “Late” used here is merely a colloquial term and not an official model designation. Please be aware of this.

History
In 1942, the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) ordered the 21st Naval Air Arsenal in Omura to develop the Prototype 17-shi Training Fighter. This would later become the A6M2-K.
Production at the 21st Naval Air Arsenal began in January 1943. Based on Mitsubishi’s A6M2, this aircraft featured the addition of a dual-control rear cockpit and stabilizing fins on both sides of the fuselage, while equipment intended for aircraft carrier operations was removed to simplify maintenance.
In May 1944, Hitachi Aircraft began production of the A6M2-K. Many of the Hitachi-built A6M2-Ks were equipped with the wings of the A6M5. This is believed to be due to the fact that Nakajima, which had been producing the A6M2 under license, ceased production in November 1943. Although this was a major modification to the airframe, the Imperial Japanese Navy did not change the model designation of the A6M2-K.
Furthermore, an order had been issued to the 21st Naval Air Arsenal to develop a prototype of the “A6M5-K,” a trainer based on the A6M5. However, sources are mixed regarding this project: some indicate that a prototype was completed, while others suggest it remained only a plan.

Photos

A6M2-K_大村_2
A6M2-K_大村_21359×516 207 KB

A6M2-K_大村
A6M2-K_大村1283×660 158 KB

A6M2-K_後期？
A6M2-K_後期？_2

Construction description
Modifications compared to the A6M2:

  1. Equipped with the A6M5’s wings
  2. Addition of a rear cockpit. Dual-control configuration.
  3. Changes to the canopy design (open in the front seats, closed in the rear seats)
  4. Added stabilizer fins to both sides of the fuselage
  5. Removal of the 20mm Cannon
  6. Removal of the Main Landing Gear Wheel Cover
  7. The rear wheel is fixed and cannot be retracted.
  8. The rear tires were changed from solid tires to pneumatic tires, and their size was increased.
  9. Elimination of Shipboard Equipment (Wing-Tip Folding Mechanism, Arresting Hook)
  10. Added entry doors on the left and right sides of the front seats
Technical sketches

世界の傑作機 No.55_P86_A6M2-K後期
世界の傑作機 No.55_P86_A6M2-K後期1343×1369 344 KB

零戦と一式戦「隼」完全ガイド_P55_A6M2-K
零戦と一式戦「隼」完全ガイド_P55_A6M2-K1136×546 136 KB

エアロ・ディテール7_P57_A6M2-K

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 9.06 m
  • Wingspan: 11.0 m
  • Height: 3.53 m
  • Wing area: 21.30 m²
  • Empty weight: 1,819 kg (Standard A6M2-K’s Data)
  • Gross weight: 2,334 kg (Standard A6M2-K’s Data)
  • Max takeoff weight: ?
  • Powerplant: 1 × Nakajima Sakae 12 (take-off power 940 hp)
  • Propellers: 3-blade constant speed propeller (Hamilton Type) : diameter 2,900 mm

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 476 km/h@4,000 m (Standard A6M2-K’s Data)
  • Cruising speed: ?
  • Range: 1,379 km (Standard A6M2-K’s Data)
  • Service Ceiling: ?
  • Time to Climb: 7 minutes 57 seconds to 6,000m (Standard A6M2-K’s Data)

Armament

  1. Guns:
  • 2 x 7.7mm Type 97 Fixed Machine Gun (in the nose)
  1. Bombs:
  • 2 x 30 kg
  • 2 x 60 kg
  • 1 x 250 kg (Suicide Attack)

Armour

  • None

Summary
The Kaigun A6M2-K (Late) will be a very interesting aircraft for the Japanese tree in War Thunder. There is no doubt that the adoption of the A6M5’s wings results in a higher top speed and speed limit than the standard A6M2-K. While its firepower is low, it will likely be a Japanese aircraft well-suited for hit-and-run tactics on low-BR battlefields. Of course, it also possesses the maneuverability characteristic of the A6M series. I hope you will share your knowledge in the comments section and participate in the discussion.
Finally, since my native language is not English, I used the DeepL translation. Please note that there is a possibility of translation errors and misrepresentations.

Internet sources

零式練習用戦闘機 - Wikipedia
零式艦上戦闘機 - Wikipedia
大日本帝国海軍 記録写真［A6M/零式艦上戦闘機］ | 大日本帝国軍 主要兵器

Book sources

世界の傑作機 No.55, 文林堂, 1997-11-5
零戦と一式戦「隼」完全ガイド, イカロス出版, 2019-3-5, ISBN978-4-8022-0664-8
モデルアート No.272 日本海軍機の塗装とマーキング 戦闘機編, モデルアート社, 1986-6-30
エアロ・ディテール 7, 大日本絵画, 1993-5, ISBN4-499-22608-2
日本軍用機写真集 3 (偵察機/飛行艇/輸送機/練習機), 文林堂, 1983-1

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