Mitsubishi A7M Reppu (Hurricane)
Allied Code Name: "Sam"
by Gary Barling
 
Purpose: Single-seat carrier-borne or land-based fighter (A7M1, A7M2 and A7M3), or land-based interceptor fighter (A7M3-J). All-metal construction with fabric-covered control surfaces.
Background: Did not enter service during wartime.
Specifications:
 
1. Armament:
a. Two wing-mounted 13.2 mm Type 3 machine-guns and two wing-mounted 20 mm. Type 99 Model 2 cannon (A7M1 and A7M2).
b. Four wing-mounted 20 mm Type 99 Model 2 cannon (A7M2).
c. Six wing-mounted 20 mm Type 99 Model 2 cannon (A7M3).
d. Two fuselage-mounted oblique-firing 30 mm Type 5 cannon and four wing-mounted         30 mm Type 5 cannon (A7M3-J).
e. External load: two 250 kg bombs or two 350 litre drop tanks.
 
2.    Powerplant:
3. Dimensions and Performance
 
  Specification
A7M1
A7M2
A7M3
A7M3-J
Dimensions:
 
 
 
 
Span
14.00 m
14.00 m
14.00 m
14.00 m
Length
11.00 m
11.00 m
11.00 m
11.96 m
Height
4.28 m
4.28 m
4.28 m
4.28 m
Wing area
30.9 m2
30.9 m2
30.9 m2
31.3 m2
Weights:
 
 
 
 
Empty
3,110 kg
3,226 kg
3,392 kg
3,955 kg
Loaded
4,410 kg
4,720 kg
5,040 kg
5,732 kg
Wing loading
142.9 kg/m2
152.9 kg/m2
163.3 kg/m2
183.1 kg/m2
Power loading
2.2 kg/hp
2.1 kg/hp
2.2 kg/hp
2.6 kg/hp
Performance:
 
 
 
 
Maximum speed
310 kt at 6,190 m
339 kt at 6,600 m
347 kt at 8,700 m
350 kt at 10,000 m
Cruising speed
-
225 kt at 4,000 m
-
-
Climb to …
6,000 m
6,000 m
10,000 m
10,000 m
…in
9 min 54 sec
6 min 7 sec
13 min 6 sec
15 min
Service ceiling
-
10,900 m
11,300 m
11,500 m
Endurance
-
2.5 hr at cruising +
30 min combat
-
-
 
 
Production: A total of 10 A7Ms were built by Mitsubishi Jukogyo K.K. at Nagoya as follows:
 
References:
 
1.      Taylor, Michael (ed), Jane’s Encyclopedia of Aviation, London, Jane’s Publishing Company, 1980.
2.      Fitzsimons, Bernard et al, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of 20th Century Weapons and Warfare, Toronto, Purnell Reference Books, 1977.
3.   Francillon, René J., Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War, Putnam, 1979 (numerous   revised reprints available from several publishers).
4.   Parshall, Jon, http://www.combinedfleet.com/kaigun.htm. An excellent website for       information on the Imperial Japanese Navy. Aircraft information on this page originally compiled by Joao Paulo Julião Matsuura.