DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
IL2 Air Combat!
HTML https://il2freemodding.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: IL2 Aircraft Articles
*****************************************************
#Post#: 12490--------------------------------------------------
What the Japanese aircraft model numbers mean
By: robyfongaro Date: September 15, 2020, 10:32 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Now, some of yoyu might already know this and this topic is
mostly for those who don't know.
So, as the title says, what do the Japanese airccraft model
numbers mean? Because they actually mean a little more than just
the "model(or version)" of the aircraft.
To explain, i'll use the A6M Zero.
I think that a fair question that you might have asked
yourselves when getting into aircraft is:"Why does the [A6M]
model 32 comes before the model 22?"
I mean, yes, the 22 came after the 32 cronoligically, but why
does the nomenclature (the numbers) go backwards?
The reason is that more than the model of the aircraft, both
numbers actually have a separete meaning: the first digit
signifies a change in the airframe; the second digit signifies a
change in the engine. (field or smaller modification are not
considered, for which there was the Ko/Otsu/Hiei/exc., Kai in
Japanese means modified/improoved, and it's independent from Ko,
Otsu, exc.).It will now make more sense as we go through the A6M
model history:
- A6M Model 11: the first one and as we can see, 1st airframe
and 1st engine
- A6M Model 21: the most famous version, which introduced
folting wingtips and some smaller details, which means, 2nd
airframe but still the 1st engine, the Sakae 12
- A6M Model 32: here comes the big change, the engine became
the Sakae 21 and it had cut wings (i don't remember exactly what
the correct definition of CW on the spitfire), so, 3rd airframe
and 2nd engine.
- A6M Model 22: my favourite version of the Zero (actually the
Ko variant), that in an effort to re-establish the range and
manouverability loss of the model 32 (the Sakae 21 consumed more
than the 12, plus a smaller fuel tank due to center of gravity,
made the max range around 1000km shorter and the CW while
reducing the roll rate had the side effect of also reducing lift
force, thus reducing the manouverability.) went back to the
model 21 airframe, while keeping the Sakae 21, thus 2nd airframe
and 2nd engine.
- A6M Model 41: this is the less (almost forgotten) version of
the Zero, designed for high altitude with a turbo supercharged
Sakae 12 (but it was also thought the Sakae 21), while it
techically breanches of the model 21, since it has the 4th
airframe, due to the supercharger installation, has to come
after the model 32 at least. So, 4th airframe, but 1st engine
- A6M Model 52: the other well known version of the Zero, with
rounded wing tips but reduced wingspan (from 12m to 11m), and
still the Sakae 21, so, 5th airframe and 2nd engine.
- A6M Model 53: basically a model 52 equipped with the Sakae 31
engine, so, still the 5th airframe but 3rd engine.
- A6M Model 62/63: this were the last version of the Zero to
enter service, it mostly had small changes to the airframe
rether than a "bigger" change like the other models, but still
enough to consider it a new airframe (which was also
reinforced), so 6th airframe and either 2nd or 3rd engine (Sakae
21 or 31)
- A6M Model 54/64: finally, we come to the last version of the
Zero, built with the Mitsubishi Kinsei 62, the differences
between the model 54 and 64 are the same as with the model 52
and 62; internal to the airframe or details; the 2 built were of
the model 54, while the model 64 was not produced.
I hope this has aswered some questions, and this "model number
meaning" is the same for every other Japanese aircraft with a
model designation.
#Post#: 12492--------------------------------------------------
Re: What the Japanese aircraft model numbers mean
By: Beowolff Date: September 15, 2020, 2:48 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Well done, RF! Splendid information and greatly appreciated...
;)
#Post#: 12562--------------------------------------------------
Re: What the Japanese aircraft model numbers mean
By: Beowolff Date: September 21, 2020, 8:25 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Bump on this! BTW guys... have you noticed this? Very good
info! Am going to move it into a STICKY so it won't get covered
up and moved to a back page by additional posts.
S!
Beo
#Post#: 12919--------------------------------------------------
Re: What the Japanese aircraft model numbers mean
By: cafs Date: October 8, 2020, 3:24 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Yes, great info there Roby. 👍
#Post#: 15069--------------------------------------------------
Re: What the Japanese aircraft model numbers mean
By: Kopfdorfer Date: January 2, 2021, 9:16 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Thanks for clearly defining this info Roby.I always wanted a
concise and clear definition of this.
Kopfdorfer
*****************************************************