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Mitsubishi A5M1 (九六式一号艦上戦闘機)
The Mitsubishi A5M1 is a Japanese naval fighter. It was the world’s first monoplane aircraft to take off from an aircraft carrier. It was put into production at the end of autumn 1936. Between 30 and 75 A5M1 fighters were produced. They fought mainly in China.
History
In 1934, the Japanese Navy was looking for a successor to the Nakajima A4N1 fighter, which was already obsolete at the time of its introduction. In order to replace the A4N1 fighters, the Shi-9 specification was prepared, which was as follows:
- Maximum speed: > 352 km/h at an altitude of 3000 m above sea level.
- Climbing force: Up to 5000m altitude in 6 minutes and 30 seconds
- Fuel tank capacity: >200 liters
- Armament: 7.7mm ×2 machine gun
- Dimensional limitations: up to 11 m wide and 8 m long
Mitsubishi and Nakajima took part in the competition. The Mitsubishi aircraft was designated Ka-14 and its chief designer was Jiro Horikoshi. The first prototype of the Ka-14 powered by the Nakajima Kotobuki 5 engine with a power of 447 kW (600 hp) was flown on February 5, 1935. In internal tests at Mitsubishi, it was found that the aircraft completely meets the design requirements of the Shi-9 program. Then the first prototype was sent for naval testing. The naval tests lasted a very long time and in the meantime a second prototype of the Ka-14 aircraft was sent. By the end of autumn 1936, the modified Ka-14 aircraft was finally tested and the Navy accepted the aircraft into service as the A5M1 or Mitsubishi Navy Type 96 Carrier-based Fighter. The aircraft was much better than the prototype Nakajima PA-Kai (A5N1) fighter. After the start of production of A5M1 aircraft, the Japanese were directed to equip the aircraft carrier Kaga and sent to China. There, the fighters took part in fierce air battles with the Chinese in Shanghai. However, the A5M1 fighters were quickly replaced with the improved A5M2. The A5M1 fighters were withdrawn from service by the end of 1938.
Art about the Mitsubishi A5M1
Construction description
The Mitsubishi A5M1 is a low-wing fighter with a fixed landing gear. The aircraft is powered by a Nakajima Kotobuki 2 Kai Ko radial engine with a take-off power of 427 kW (580 hp). The aircraft was armed with two Type 89 7.7 mm machine guns firing through the engine pistons.
Technical sketches
Comparison of Mitsubishi A5M1 with other variants of Mitsubishi A5M (yes, Ki-18 and Ki-33 are variants of the A5M aircraft)
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 7,71 m
- Wingspan: 11 m
- Height: 3,2 m
- Wing area: 17,80 m2
- Empty weight: 1075 kg
- Gross weight: 1500 kg
- Powerplant: 1 × Nakajima Kotobuki 2 Kai Ko, air-cooled nine-cylinder radial engine with take-off power of 427 kW (580 hp)
- Propellers: Two-bladed metal propeller with adjustable angle of attack with a diameter of 2,690 mm.
Performance
- Maximum speed: 406 km/h
- Cruising speed: 375 km/h
- Range: 705 km
- Maximum Range: 1200 km
- Service ceiling: 9450 m
- Climb Rate: ?
- Time to Climb to: 8,5 min do 5000 m
Armament
- 2 x Type 89 7.7mm Machine Guns in the nose (500 rounds per rifle)
Special thanks
@Rowiek
Summary
The Mitsubishi A5M1 is an interesting aircraft for Japan in War Thunder. It was the first monoplane to take off from an aircraft carrier, so it should be included in the game as a commemoration. The plane will be very similar to the A5M4, only it will be a little slower. 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
九六式艦上戦闘機 - Wikipedia
Mitsubishi A5M - Wikipedia
Micubiši A5M1 [Claude] : Micubiši
Airplanes in the skies + FAF history: Mitsubishi A5M
九六式艦上戦闘機/三菱Mitsubishi A5M | 大日本帝国軍 主要兵器
三菱 九六式二号艦上戦闘機
Mitsubishi A5M
Уголок неба ¦ Mitsubishi A5M
Mitsubishi A5M ‘Claude’
Mitsubishi A5M “Claude” (1937)
The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia: A5M “Claude”, Japanese Carrier Fighter
Mitsubishi A5M (Claude): Photos, History, Specification
Book sources
- Japanese Aircraft of Wolrld War II : 1937-1945 ,Thomas Newdick, Edition 2 2017, page 57-59
- La Aviación Japonesa en la Segunda Guerra mundial (Japanese aviation in World War II) page 248-256
Aviones Japonese | PDF | Fuerzas aéreas del ejército de los Estados Unidos | Avión de combate - Yellow Mushroom Mitsubishi A5M Claude
Yellow Mushroom Mitsubishi A5M Claude (2003) | PDF - Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War page 342-349
- Japońskie Samoloty Marynarki 1912-45 (Japanese naval aircraft 1912-45) page 69-76
Japońskie Samoloty Marynarki 1912-45 | PDF
Thank you for reading the suggestion, see you in the next one. Good luck pilots