RichB
Well-known member
In October 1937 the IJN issued a requirement for a new Carrier Based Fighter to Nakajima and Mitsubishi. Nakajima withdrew from the competition in January 1938 believing the requirements unachievable. The Mitsubishi design team believed they could be met by keeping the aircraft as light as possible. A new lighter and stronger aluminum alloy was used form most of the airframe. Its one fault was its susceptibility to corrosion making it brittle and requiring an anti-corrosion coating after assembly. Additional weight saving was achieved by eliminating armour plating and self-sealing fuel tanks.
The first prototype flew 1 April 1939 with the Navy accepting the two prototypes for testing in September. It was recommended that the two blade propeller be replaced by a three blade type to reduce a vibration problem and the 940 hp Sakae 12 engine replace the 780 hp Zuisei 13 engine. Both changes were incorporated on the third prototype. The first A6M2 was completed in January 1940. Initial testing showed the new type exceeded all requirements and the Navy ordered 15 aircraft that were deployed to China and saw combat for the first time in August.
Cheers,
Rich
The first prototype flew 1 April 1939 with the Navy accepting the two prototypes for testing in September. It was recommended that the two blade propeller be replaced by a three blade type to reduce a vibration problem and the 940 hp Sakae 12 engine replace the 780 hp Zuisei 13 engine. Both changes were incorporated on the third prototype. The first A6M2 was completed in January 1940. Initial testing showed the new type exceeded all requirements and the Navy ordered 15 aircraft that were deployed to China and saw combat for the first time in August.
Cheers,
Rich
