WW2 IJN Aviation

Mitsubishi A6M Zero “Zeke”

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Carrier Borne Fighter, Imperial Japanese Navy Imperial Japanese Navy, 10,939 built The legendary Japanese fighter Just named colloquially “zero” and still popularly known as such today, the A6M, or “Mitsubishi Navy Type 0 carrier fighter” (零式艦上戦闘機) hence the number used as nickname, was the brainchild of superstar aviation designer Jiro Horikoshi. A superb dogfighter, combined … Read more

Nakajima B5N “Kate” (1937)

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Imperial Japanese Navy, 1,149 built The Main IJN Carrier Torpedo Bomber in 1939-42 The Nakajima B5N was completely unknown by US Intel before 1941, and vastly underrated (like most Japanese aviation, seen as mediocre western copies). Little was known that this model, albeit of the same generation, vastly outperformed the Douglas TBD Devastator, its rival … Read more

Mitsubishi F1M “Pete”

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Mitsubishi F1M “Pete” (1936) Imperial Japanese Navy, 944 built The last IJN Biplane Genesis for this model started in 1935 when first planned to succeed the Nakajima E8N as main catapult-launched navy spotter, mostly based on cruisers (The E13N was for battleships and succeed the E7K). The E8N (assigned the identifier “Dave” by US Intel) … Read more

Aichi D3A “Val” (1936)

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Aichi D3A (1938) Imperial Japanese Navy, 1,495 built The D3A2 “Val” main IJN Dive Bomber in 1941 The “Val” as it was referred in the USN, was the main Imperial Japanese Dive Bomber of WW2, until replaced gradually from 1942 onwards by the Yokosuka D4Y Suisei, far more modern by all standards and benefiting from … Read more

Nakajima E8N “Dave”

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Nakajima E8N “Dave” (1934) Imperial Japanese Navy, 755 built The “Dave”, standard IJN observation seaplane The Nakajima E8N was a Japanese ship-borne and catapult-launched reconnaissance seaplane which saw service mostly during the Second Sino-Japanese War. This single-engine, two-seat biplane was given a main ventral float complemented by underwing outriggers. Not fast, but reliable and with … Read more

Yokosuka B4Y “Jean” (1935)

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Yokosuka B4Y “Jean” (1935) Imperial Japanese Navy, 205 built The Mitsubishi B2M which needed replacement (1932), derived from the Blackburn Ripon The Yokosuka B4Y, also called Navy Type 96 Carrier Attack Bomber was the specialized torpedo bomber of the IJN, and last biplane of that type before the arrival of the B5N “Kate”. Introduced in … Read more

Mitsubishi A5M “Claude” (1937)

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Mitsubishi A5M “Claude” (1937) Imperial Japanese Navy, 1085 built The main IJN fighter in 1940 The Mitsubish A5M (allied designation “claude”) was until the arrival of the legendary “zeke”, the main Japanese Imperial Navy Fighter. Designed alongside the Army Fighter Nakajima Nakajima Ki-27 “Nate”, this was the first generation monoplane of this type, supremely agile, … Read more

Aichi D1A (1934)

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Aichi D1A “Susie” (1934) Imperial Japanese Navy, 590 built The last IJN biplane dive bomber The Aichi D1A/D2A “Susie” was a reliable, modern dive bomber biplane in service with the IJN from 1935 to 1940 (1942 with Mandchukuo). It was the direct predecessor of the D3A “Val” monoplane of WW2 fame, and still served in … Read more

Nakajima A4N (1935)

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Imperial Japanese Navy, 148 built The 1930s IJN naval fighter The Nakajima A4N was a carrier-based fighter, last biplane by Nakajima. The first prototype was completed in 1934, but engine issues delayed the entry service until 1936. It was internally called Nakajima YM (factory designation), or Navy Type 95 Carrier Fighter. In all, 221 were … Read more