MITSUBISHI A5M “CLAUDE”

 

 

 

Purpose: Single seat carrier-borne and land-based fighter.

 

Background: The chief fighter of the Imperial Japanese Navy throughout the Sino-Japanese war. It was the Navy’s first monoplane fighter, and one of the first all-metal stressed-skin aircraft built in Japan. It demonstrated excellent speed and maneuverability. Over Nanking in December 1937, A5M pilots destroyed ten Chinese I-16B fighters for no Japanese loss. It was produced in four models, A5M1 to A5M4. A total of 1,094 A5M’s and derivatives were built during the period 1937-43.

 

Units Allocated

Carriers: Akagi, Hosho, Kaga, Ryujo and Zuiho.

12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, Oita, Ominato, Omura, Sasebo and Yokosuka Kokutais.

 

Specifications (A5M4):

 

1. Maximum speed: 273 mph (440 km/h)
2. Climbing speed: 2,790 ft (850 m)/min
3. Service Ceiling: 32,800 ft (10,000 m)
4. Fuel Capacity: liters (Imperial Gallons, US Gallons)
5. Range: 746 mi (1,200 km) with auxiliary tank
6. Armament: 2 X 7.7 mm Type 89 MG, fuselage mounted, forward of cockpit. Racks for 2 X 66 lb (30 kg) bombs under outer wing surfaces
7. Powerplant: One Nakajima Kotobuki 41 (Jupiter) 3-Kai nine-cylinder radial, 710 hp
8. Dimensions:

• Wingspan – 11.0 meters (36 ft., 1 in)
• Wing Area – 17.8m²  (191.6 sq. ft.)
• Length – 7.55 meters (24 ft., 9.50 in)
• Max Takeoff Weight – 1,708 kg (3,763 lbs)

9. Landing Gear: Main: fixed, spatted wheels, units attached to underwing surfaces. Tail Wheel: fixed.

 

 

References:

 

Chant, C, Aircraft of World War Two, Bristol, Dempsey-Parr, 1999.

 

Gunston, William, Japanese and Italian Aircraft, New York, Chartwell Books, 1985.

 

Francillon, René J., Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War, Putnam, 1979 (numerous   revised reprints available from several publishers).

 

Parshall, Jon, http://www.combinedfleet.com/kaigun.htm. An excellent website for              information on the Imperial Japanese Navy.