JAPAN'S AIRCRAFT

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24202, 18 February 1942, Page 4

JAPAN'S AIRCRAFT

SHIP-BORNE TYPES FIGHTERS AND BOMBERS LARGE TORPEDO-CARRIER Japanese warplanes, the efficiency and quantity of which have proved, an unpleasant surprise to the Allies, are described in a recent issue of the American publication Life as "generally old copies of American and European models, definitely inferior to United States equivalents." The paper adds, significantly, however: "But they are in the hands of airmen who have been blooded in combat and know the tricks of the trade. Above all, they had at first the benefit of no opposition." The military and naval aircraft of Japan bear red circles on the wings and fuselage. They are numbered according to the last two numbers of the year they were produced in the Japanese calendar, and since the year 1940 was the year 2600 in Japan, a 1937 model is known as 97, the last two numbers of the Japanese year 2597. Various Types of Machine Two of the best-known Japanese car-rier-borne fighters are the Nakajima models 95 and 96. The 95 is a combined bomber and fighter. It is a biplane, with a single radial engine and fixed undercarriages. The upper and lower wings are oi' equal span. The 96, a more modern type, is a monoplane, one of the first introduced in the Japanese air force. It has a top speed of 245 miles an hour, and is another single-seater. A particularly large single-engined Japanese aircraft is the navy scout bomber, the Kawanishi 96. It can carry about half-a-ton of bombs. This machine is also a biplane, clumsy according to modern standa/ds, but reputedly efficient. Another Japanese, naval warplane is the Kawanishi 95, carried by warships and catapulted into the air. It is a single-float seaplane, used for fleet spotting, and carries two small bombs. Navy's Torpedo-Bomber A formidable type that is carrierborne is another of the Nakajima series. This is the Japanese navy's torpedobomber, which is credited with probably sinking the United States battleship Oklahoma in Pearl Harbour. Although a venerable-looking biplane, it is said to be superior to many corresponding models used by European rowers, and approaches the later American torpedo-planes in speed. In addition to the types known to exist before war with Japan began, however, the Japanese have produced in siervice several more modern machines, bearing unmistakable relationship to current German types. These include a fast fighter, not unlike the German Messerschraitt 110, a sleek monoplane torpedo-bomber, and a heavy bomber with some apparent relationship to the Heinkel 111.