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Mitsubishi B4M (Ka-12)
The Mitsubishi B4M (Ka-12) is a Japanese prototype torpedo bomber based on aircraft carriers, developed in 1934. This aircraft was created for the requirements of the 9-Shi competition and competed with the Nakajima B4N and Yokosuka B4Y aircraft. Only two prototype was built.
History
In 1932, the Japanese navy began a three-year plan to modernize its air forces, for which a competition called 7-Shi was announced. The winner was the Yokosuka B3Y1 aircraft (the Nakajima B3N and Mitsubishi B3M (3MT10) aircraft also participated in this competition). The B3Y1 was introduced into service in 1933, and it was immediately clear that this aircraft had poor performance and was not a significant improvement over its predecessors (Mitsubishi B1M and B2M). Thus, at the end of 1933, the Japanese navy decided to create another competition for a new torpedo bomber. In February 1934, the Japanese navy organized the 9-Shi competition, to which Mitsubishi, Nakajima, and Yokosuka submitted their designs. The chief designer of the new aircraft was Hajime Matsuhara, and the project received the internal designation Ka-12. Matsuhara decided to use the design of the unsuccessful Mitsubishi B3M (3MT10) and modify it. The main frame was changed from wood to aluminum, the wheel fairings were removed, but the biggest change was the replacement of the Rolls-Royce Buzzard V-12 engine with a new Mitsubishi 8-Shi star engine (future Mitsubishi Kinsei). The Ka-12 aircraft was completed in September 1934 and on June 25, 1934. The aircraft was then sent for tests to the Headquarters of the Japanese Navy where it received the designation B4M. During the tests, it was determined that the aircraft had insufficient operability and inadequate wing stiffness. A second prototype was also created with a new engine fairing and a tail wheel instead of a skid, but the decision of the Navy Command was not changed. It is not known what happened to the Mitsubishi B4M afterwards.
Mitsubishi B4M (Ka-12) photos
Description of the construction
The Mitsubishi B4M is a torpedo bomber in a biplane configuration with a three-person crew and fixed landing gear. The aircraft has a frame made of aluminum, which was covered with fabric. It is powered by a fourteen-cylinder Mitsubishi 8-Shi radial engine with a maximum power of 800 hp, which drives a two-bladed wooden propeller with a diameter of 3600 mm. The aircraft is armed with two fixed Type 92 7.7mm machine guns in the hull and a single movable Type 92 machine gun on the back. The B4M can carry 800 kg of bombs or one torpedo weighing 800 kg.
General characteristics
- Crew: 3
- Length: 9,96 m
- Wingspan: 14,80 m
- Height: 3,94 m
- Wing area: 54.0m2
- Empty weight: 2000 kg
- Gross weight: 3827 kg
- Maximum Take-off Weight: ?
- Powerplant: 1 x Mitsubishi 8-Shi fourteen-cylinder radial engine with a maximum power of 800 hp
- Propellers: Two-bladed wooden propeller with a diameter of 3600 mm.
Performance
- Maximum speed: 241 km/h
- Cruising speed: 196 km/h
- Range: ?
- Maximum Range: ?
- Service ceiling: ?
- Climb Rate: ?
- Time in the air: 6 hours 17 minutes
- Rate of climb: 14,55 min to 3000 m
Armament
- Guns:
- 2 x Type 92 7.7mm fixed machine guns in the hull
- 1 x Type 92 7.7mm mobile machine gun on the back
- Bombs:
- Bombs up to 800 kg (under the fuselage and wings)
- 1 x 800 kg torpedo (under the hull)
Special thanks
Summary
The Mitsubishi B4M (Ka-12) is an interesting aircraft for Japan in War Thunder. This bomber would be a good starting aircraft before the Nakajima B5N bomber, which will provide a large bomb load and the ability to engage ground targets. This aircraft will also be useful in naval battles. The Mitsubishi B4M (Ka-12) could also become 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
九試艦上攻撃機 - Wikipedia
Mitsubishi B4M - Wikipedia
Mitsubishi B4M1 Experimental 9-Shi Carrier Attack Aircraft
Micubiši B4M1 9-Ši : Micubiši
Уголок неба ¦ Mitsubishi B4M (Ka.12)
Aéronavale japonaise - Page 3
Book sources
- The Xplanes of Imperial Japanese Army and Navy 1924-45 page 180
The Xplanes of Imperial Japanese Army and Navy 1924-45 | PDF - Mikesh, Robert C.; Abe, Shorzoe (1990).Japanese Aircraft, 1910-1941 page 172-173
Thank you for reading the suggestion, see you in the next one. Good luck pilots
