World War II Database

1.  Bill says:
18 Apr 2010 01:03:15 PM

Mitsubishi A6M3 Model 32, photo shows a line up of aircraft belong to Iwakuni Kokutai. Powered by the 1,130 hp Sakae 21 engine. The 20 inch folding wing tips were removed,giving
the wing a squared off appearance.
This modification made the model 32 slightly
more manueverable at high speeds.
Ammunition for the type 99 20mm cannons, were
increased from 60rpg, to 100rpg. Flight trials of the model 32 were started in June
1941, and went into action by spring of 1942.
The squared wing of the model 32, at first
was given the code name of "Hap" However, General "Hap" Arnold, of the U.S.A.A.F. was
not pleased, and the code name was changed to
"Hamp".
Later after captured aircraft were examined the code name was changed to Zeke 32.

2. Bill says:
19 Dec 2012 04:57:16 PM

The Mitsubishi A6M3 Zero,Models 32/22 were the improvements of the A6M2 Zero,Model 21 and built the same way. The "Hamp" was the allied code word for the Zero 32 Mitsubishi
built the Zero 32 with ease of maintenace in the field, just like the Zero 21, and still lacked any armor,self-sealing fuel tanks or bullet-proof glass for the pilot.

CAN YOU SEE ME NOW:

The canopy was made up of three sections made of flat and curved plexiglass the front windscreen sliding canopy and rear decking the plexiglass was only 3/8 inch thick.

IMPROVED ENGINE:

The fighter was powered by a Nakajima 1020hp
air-cooled radial, driving a three-bladed propeller or a Ishikawajima built Sakae 21 engine. The engine cowling was redesigned the carburetor was moved to the top of the cowling, the oil scoop remained under the cowl.
The Zero pilot had about 73 gauges, switches and other instruments installed on the main instrument panel and two side console in the cockpit.

THE ZERO WAS FULL OF HOLES:

To keep airc raft weight down, engineers and designers all over te world cut lightening holes throughtout, this took added pounds from the over all weight and improved performance and speed. Even the pilots seat had lightening holes cut to reduce weight.
The fuselage, wings and tail assembly had weight cut out with lightening holes, and covered with a skin of light weight aluminum the elimination of armor, bullet-proof glass and self-sealing fuel tanks made the Zero vulnerable to anti-aircraft and air-to-air machine gun and cannon fire US and Allied pilots would find that the Zero would flame or brakeup after strikes from fifty-caliber fire.
However, in the hands of an experienced pilot, the Zero was still deadly combat aircraft.

DEFANGED FIGHTER:

By late 1942 and into 1943 the experienced pilots had been killed, wounded or missing Japan had trained the best pilots and paid in lives and equipment with men who were later rushed through training during the war, to make up the losses.
Japanese industry couldn't make up for the combat and training losses in aircraft many of the older model Zero 21, 32/22 models were still flying combat. The improved A6M5 Model 52 kept pace with new Allied designes, but barely.