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AIRCRAFT COMPONENTS
Topics:
Propellers
Japanese Seatbelts
Hand Holds
Engines (New)
Posted By: Tom Hall <Hall023038@aol.com>
Date: Saturday, 28 April 2001, at 10:05 p.m.
Dear Mr. Sullivan,
Model Art No. 327 was a special on Japanese planes 1910-45. It has a table regarding propellers at page 132:
Ki-27 ---- 2.90 meters
Ki-43 ---- 2.90 meters
Ki-44 I -- 2.95 meters
Ki-44 II - 3.00 meters
Ki-61 I -- 3.00 meters
Ki-61 II - 3.10 meters
Ki-84 ---- 3.05 meters
A6M2 ---- 2.90 meters
A6M3 ---- 3.05 meters
J2M3 ---- 3.30 meters
N1K1-J --- 3.30 meters
N1K2-J --- 3.30 meters
A7M2 ---- 3.60 meters
Posted By: Matt Q <matthew.quinney@mms.gov>
Date: Thursday, 24 May 2001, at 2:47 p.m.
In the Japanese Interiors book there is a photo of a seatbelt in, um, I forget which aircraft, which the caption describes as a "rare original". It is dark brown (leather?) and has two rows of grommets (double-pronged buckle) and a quick release painted red.
Were the Japanese seatbelts standardized? i.e. Should or could I use this design to make seatbelts for a variety of aircraft? I may be jumping the gun here, I haven't read the book cover-to-cover yet, and the answer may be in there somewhere....
Thanks
Posted By: Pete Chalmers <pchalmers@carolina.rr.com>
Date: Thursday, 24 May 2001, at 6:38 p.m.
In Response To: Japanese seatbelts (Matt Q)
I still don't have my copy ( it's "in the mail" ), but what you are describing is a standard leather IJAAF seat belt. Recheck the book - I saw a color pic of a belt from a Frank or Tojo years ago.
Posted By: Pete Chalmers <pchalmers@carolina.rr.com>
Date: Friday, 25 May 2001, at 12:03 p.m.
In Response To: Japanese seatbelts (Matt Q)
Just got my copy today - the belt is in the Cosford Ki-100 - interesting, because at one time that aircraft had a green repro. webbing belt with a similar buckle. This one is authentic.
On p.29, you'll see a similar belt installed in a captured Ki-44, strapped around the stick as a
gustlock.
Another "standard" belt appears on p.114 ( Ki-55 ) but part of the buckle is missing.
The Rex on p.172 has what appears to be a Sutton harness, but in leather and webbing - if this is authentic and original ( it's old ! ) this would be a new one to me.
The Liz on p.245 has what appears to be a different type again.
I have pictures in other refs. of the "standard" IJAAF belt in the Ki-21 and Ki-48.
The belt shown in the restored NASM Gekko ( p.154) looks to be a reproduction, and is very strange - lacking any pretense of a quick-release, with a miniscule buckle entirely inappropriate for the intended use.
IJNAF belts are still an open question - the double-tongued double-row of grommets appears in some artwork, coupled with a single over-the-left shoulder and across your chest single grommeted upper torso restraint.
Illustrations and artwork differ as to whether this attached to the lap belt or to a seperate belt end at the lower right side of the seat - I don't know - and there may well have been more than one variation.
Posted By: Jim Szabo <Nickel107@aol.com>
Date: Wednesday, 1 August 2001, at 2:09 p.m.
On most Japanese aircraft under the canopy on the fuselage there appear to be small latches that can be lowered. Are these hand holds or mechanisms for opening the canopy from the exterior? They're most notable on the Zero's and Kates.
TIA.
Posted By: Rob Graham <reishikisenguy@aol.com>
Date: Wednesday, 1 August 2001, at 4:37 p.m.
Jim:
I'm not sure we're talking the same thing, but I think these are hoisting points. These are roughly square, two on each side, below the canopy, and about even with the center of gravity. These small covers would open to reveal the hoist points.
Hand holds were often spring-loaded pins that would pop out like a turkey thermometer when an adjacent button was pushed.
Do you have a picture that shows this? Maybe I can confirm if we're looking at the same thing.
Posted By: Jim Szabo <nickel107@aol.com>
Date: Wednesday, 1 August 2001, at 5:48 p.m.
I don't have a picture, but what you described as hand holds is exactly what I'm refering to. The small little push button you speak of is directly over the latch.
I assumed that's what they were, but I wanted to be sure. They're not hoist points because there are three on each side of a Kates fuselage, the aft most hold is in the shape of a 'U'. Being an aircraft mech, I knew for sure the last one was a hold.
Thanks for the confirmation Rob.
Posted By: Grant Goodale <grant.goodale@sympatico.ca>
Date: Wednesday, 1 August 2001, at 6:04 p.m.
Jim -
To the best of my knowledge, the spring loaded push-in plates were hand holds and the spring out posts were foot steps but I guess that they could easily be used as hand holds.
FWIW
- Grant
Nakajima Sakae Engine Info Needed
Posted By: William <ursaminor@attglobal.net>
Date: Tuesday, 7 August 2001, at 7:09 p.m.
Hello,
Can anyone tell me the diameter of the Nakajima Sakae
radial powerplant?
Thank you so much, William
Posted By: Mike Goodwin <Mike.Goodwin@iname.com>
Date: Wednesday, 8 August 2001, at 1:08 p.m.
Hello William,
My references give 1.115m. That is the same for the width
and the height, so presumably excludes attachments.
Cheers,
Mike
Posted By: James Oxley <jlo@apex.net.au>
Date: Sunday, 18 August 2002, at 1:28 a.m.
Looking for any information on the name of, type, and
picture etc of Bomb Sights used on Japanese Bombers - both JNAF and JAAF.
I know that the B5N was equipped with a 'tube sight' when
used as a level bomber, but what type of optical bombsight did the Japanese
heavies e.g. G4M, Ki-21, G3M Ki-76 etc use?
And while I'm at it, when the G4M carried a Torpedo
instead of bombs, did the pilots do the aiming, or did the bombardier?
Thanks in advance for any info!
Posted By: Rich Lane <carrlane@aol.com>
Date: Monday, 19 August 2002, at 9:02 p.m.
James,
Here is a website that has good coverage of Japanese
bombsights. Bettys carried Type 90s and a torpedo sight in the cockpit.
Rich
Posted By: richard dunn <rdunn@rhsmith.umd.edu>
Date: Tuesday, 20 August 2002, at 5:15
a.m.
POW reports say the BETTY carried a type 92 and a "Boiko"
bombsight. The type 92 used when the Boiko was not serviceable. The pilot
aimed the torpedo in torpedo attacks.
Rick
Posted By: Rich Lane <carrlane@aol.com>
Date: Tuesday, 20 August 2002, at 6:00
a.m.
Hello Rick,
You are correct the Betty also carried the Type 92 Mk. 2.
Here is a scan of the description and drawing from a translated Betty Manual.
Source: OP-16-FE, Translation No. 80, 11 Nov 1944, Manual for G4M2 (Betty)(captured
on Saipan).
BTW: Just recently saw a very nice Type 92 bombsight on
display at the Air and Space Museum at Wash DC.
Rich
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