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Mitsubishi A6M7 model 63 (六三型)
Mitsubishi A6M7 model 63 is a prototype Japanese fighter-bomber created in 1945. It is not known exactly how many of these planes were built. The A6M7 model 63 aircraft was based on the A6M6c aircraft.
History
In June 1944, the Battle of the Philippine Sea took place, during which the Japanese tried to use A6M2 fighter-bombers, which were massacred by American carrier-based fighters due to their low speed. In addition, the Japanese Navy lost its last large aircraft carriers in this battle. The Imperial Japanese Navy Command noted that there was a need for a new fighter-bomber that could operate from small aircraft carriers. The new aircraft was to replace the D3A1 bombers and A6M2 fighter-bombers. The Naval Command handed over the requirements to the Mitsubishi plant, where it was decided to create a new fighter-bomber based on the A6M5c and A6M6c aircraft. The first A6M7 model 63 was created in early 1945 and together with the A6M7 model 62 was tested by the Navy. The Japanese Navy opted for a model with a simpler engine (model 62) and cast production into the background. By the end of the war, only a few A6M7 model 63s were built, which probably did not take part in combat.
Art about A6M7 model 63
Construction description
The A6M7 model 63 aircraft is very similar to the A6M6c, but there are a few differences between them, which I will describe here.
- The fuselage and wing structure has been strengthened so that the aircraft can withstand a dive flight.
- Mounts for a 250 kg or 500 kg bomb have been added under the fuselage
- Factory wings had mounts mounted for 30 kg bombs or rockets
- Under the wings, the possibility of mounting two dump tanks with a capacity of 350 L has been added
Technical sketches
Comparison of A6M7 model 63 with other A6M fighters
Armament
The Mitsubishi A6M7 model 63 aircraft is armed in the same way as the A6M6c, with the difference that it can carry a bomb weighing 250 kg or 500 kg under the fuselage. The small arms consist of two 20 mm Type 99 number 2 type 4 cannons in the wings with a supply of 125 rounds per gun. The aircraft is also equipped with three Type 3 13.2 mm machine guns, two of them mounted in the wings and one in the nose, the supply of rounds is 250 per machine gun. The aircraft can carry 10 x No. 3 Typ 2 bombs weighing 30 kg, 2 x Type 97 Number 6 bombs weighing 60 kg, 10 x Type 3 No.1 Mod.28 Mk.1 rockets or 2 x Type 3 No.6 Mod.27 Mk.1 rockets under the wings.
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 9,12 m
- Wingspan: 11 m
- Height: 3,57 m
- Wing area: 21,38 m2
- Empty weight: 2,155kg
- Gross weight: 3,155kg
- Maximum Take-off Weight: 3,755 kg
- Powerplant: 1 × Nakajima NK1E Sakae 31a, air-cooled two-star fourteen-cylinder supercharged to 1,210 hp (902 kW) with water and methanol injection
- Propellers: Three-bladed metal fixed speed propeller with a diameter of 3,050 mm
Performance
- Maximum speed: 580 km/h
- Range: 1,520 km
- Maximum Range: 2,190 km
- Service ceiling: 10 300 mln
- Time to Climb to: 7 min 35 sec to 6,000 m
Armament
- Guns:
- 2 x Type 99 number 2 type 4 20 mm cannons in wings (120 rounds per gun)
- 3 x Type 3 13.2 mm machine guns in the wings and in the nose(250 rounds per machine gun)
- Bombs:
- 10 x 30 kg bombs - No. 3 Type 2 Conventional Bomb (under the wings)
- 2 x 60 kg bombs - Navy Type 97 Number 6 bombs (under the wings)
- 1 x 250 kg bombs - Navy Type Number 25 Model 2 (under the hull)
- 1 x 500 kg bomb - Navy Type Number 50 Model 2 (under the hull)
- Rockets
- 10 x Type 3 No.1 Mod.28 Mk.1 rockets
- 2 x Type 3 No.6 Mod.27 Mk.1 rockets
- Fuel dump tanks:
- 2 x 350 L dump tanks under wings
Summary
The Mitsubishi A6M7 model 63 would be a very interesting aircraft for Japan in War Thunder. Thanks to the new engine, the aircraft will work well as a high-altitude fighter. In addition, the large bomb load will be a very useful CAS support for Japan.
Mitsubishi A6M7 model 63 together with its brother A6M7 model 62 ,will be a very useful end to the production lines of A6M 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
零式艦上戦闘機の派生型 - Wikipedia
Mitsubishi A6M Zero - Wikipedia
Mitsubishi Type 0 A6M (Zero, Zeke, Hamp) - Technical Information (pacificwrecks.com)
Уголок неба ¦ Mitsubishi A6M5(8) Reisen (airwar.ru)
Mitsubishi A6M Reisen (Zero Fighter) (combinedfleet.com)
零式艦上戦闘機六二型・六三型/三菱Mitsubishi A6M7（Zero） | 大日本帝国軍 主要兵器 (japanese-warship.com)
零戦62型／六二型: 空のカケラ ライブラリ (lekumo.biz)
零式艦上戦闘機（各タイプ別解説） (jyai.net)
Imperial Japanese Aviation Resource Center - A Warbirds Resource Group Site
Micubiši A6M7 63 Reisen [Zeke, Zero] : Micubiši (valka.cz)
Book sources
- Zero | PDF (scribd.com)
- 1059 - Mitsubishi A6M Zero | PDF (scribd.com)
- Japanese Aircraft of Wolrld War II : 1937-1945 ,Thomas Newdick, Edition 2 2017, page 71-72,100