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Mitsubishi B3M (3MT10, Ka-5) (七試艦上攻撃機)
The Mitsubishi B3M was a prototype carrier-based torpedo bomber developed in 1932. This aircraft was also designated as Ka-5 and 3MT10. It was intended to replace the Mitsubishi B2M carrier-based bomber, and only one prototype was built. This aircraft competed with the Aichi AB-8, Nakajima B3N, and Yokosuka B3Y.
History
In April 1932, the command of the Japanese Navy issued the 7-Shi competition specification, aimed at developing a domestically designed carrier-based torpedo bomber. The requirements were sent to the Mitsubishi and Nakajima factories, where they were not received with enthusiasm. The new aircraft was supposed to replace the recently introduced Mitsubishi B2M, so at Nakajima and Mitsubishi, it made little sense. The Japanese Navy command decided it was worth also asking the Naval Air Technology Laboratory (Yokosuka) to develop a carrier-based aircraft according to the same requirements as a backup option. By mid-1932, Aichi also joined the competition. The project for the new carrier-based aircraft was led by engineer Hajime Matsuhara, who had previously collaborated with the British on the Blackburn-Mitsubishi 3MR4 (the B2M1 prototype) and on the Mitsubishi B2M itself, which heavily influenced the design. The new aircraft received the factory designation Ka-5 or 3MT10, and the prototype was ready in October 1932. The aircraft was produced with two sets of wings that could be mounted, one with an area of 48.8 m² and the other with an area of 57 m². The aircraft was first tested at the Mitsubishi factories with satisfactory results. It was then sent to the Japanese Navy Command for testing in 1933. During the tests, the aircraft was compared with the Nakajima B3N, Aichi B3A (AB-8), and Yokosuka B3Y aircraft. The aircraft did not show significantly better performance than the Mitsubishi B1M3 and B2M1 aircraft in service, and its engine proved unsuitable for such a light aircraft (it was designed for larger aircraft). In February 1934, the Mitsubishi B3M took off for further tests, when in the air the aircraft lost power and subsequently crashed to the ground. This led to the aircraft being rejected from the competition (one of the Nakajima B3N prototypes also crashed and was rejected from the competition, and the Aichi B3A had insufficient performance). Ultimately, the competition was won by the Yokosuka B3Y aircraft, and it was introduced into service in August 1933.
Photos of the Mitsubishi B3M (Ka-5, 3MT10)
Art of the Mitsubishi B3M (Ka-5, 3MT10)
Construction description
The Mitsubishi B3M (Ka-5, 3MT10) is a three-seat carrier-based aircraft with a mixed metal-wood construction and a biplane wing arrangement. The aircraft is equipped with fixed landing gear and a tail skid. The Mitsubishi B3M is powered by a liquid-cooled Rolls-Royce Buzzard II MS twelve-cylinder V engine with a takeoff power of 699 kW (950 hp). The aircraft’s propeller is a two-blade wooden type with a fixed pitch and a diameter of 4000 mm. The aircraft’s armament consists of a fixed 7.7 mm machine gun in the nose (probably the Type 92 machine gun) and a movable twin 7.7 mm machine gun in the observer’s cockpit (likely the Type 92 machine gun). Under the fuselage, the Mitsubishi B3M can carry a Type 91 torpedo. It can also carry one bomb weighing 800 kg or 500 kg, and two 250 kg bombs and six 60 kg or 30 kg bomb under the fuselage.
General characteristics
- Crew: 3
- Length: 10,08 m
- Wingspan: 14,723 m
- Height: 3,885 m
- Wing area: 57 m2
- Empty weight: 2600 kg
- Gross weight: 4400 kg
- Maximum Take-off Weight: ?
- Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce Buzzard II MS liquid-cooled twelve-cylinder V engine with a takeoff power of 699 kW (950 hp)
- Propellers: Two-blade wooden propeller with a fixed pitch and a diameter of 4,000 mm
Performance
- Maximum speed: 213 km/h
- Cruising speed: 160 km/h (?)
- Range: 12 h
- Maximum Range: ?
- Service ceiling: ?
- Climb Rate: ?
- Rate of climb: 12,0 min to 3050 m
Armament
- Guns:
- 1 x Fixed 7.7mm Machine Gun in the nose (probably Type 92)
- 2 x A movable 7.7 mm machine gun in the observer’s position (probably Type 92)
- Bombs
- 1 x 800 kg bomb under the fuselage
- 1 x 500 kg bomb under the fuselage
- 2 x 250 kg bombs under the fuselage
- 6 x 60 kg bombs under the fuselage
- 6 x 30 kg bombs under the fuselage
- 1 x Torpedo Type 91 under the fuselage
Special thanks
Summary
The Mitsubishi B3M (3MT10, Ka-5) is an interesting aircraft for Japan in War Thunder. Although this aircraft has poor performance, it has a good bomb and torpedo load as well as strong defensive capabilities. This aircraft will be useful in land, sea, and air battles. The Mitsubishi B3M is great as a premium aircraft or for events. 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
Уголок неба ¦ Mitsubishi 3MT10 (Ka.5)
Mitsubishi Experimental 7-Shi Carrier Attack Aircraft
WildEagles: Mitsubishi 3MT10 by Richard Holak
Micubiši 3MT10 7-Ši : Micubiši
Book sources
- Mikesh, Robert C.; Abe, Shorzoe (1990).Japanese Aircraft, 1910-1941 page 170
- 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 176
- 野沢正『日本航空機総集 三菱篇』出版協同社 - page 141-142
- Japońskie Samoloty Marynarki 1912-45 część II (Japanese naval aircraft 1912-45 part II) page 27-28
- The Xplanes of Imperial Japanese Army and Navy 1924-45 page 173
The Xplanes of Imperial Japanese Army and Navy 1924-45 | PDF
Thank you for reading the suggestion, see you in the next one. Good luck pilots
