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AIR INFORMATION SUMMARY #12 Distribution: TO ALL UNITS ASHORE AND AFLOAT CONCERNED WITH AIRCRAFT COMPARATIVE PERFORMANCE OF JAPANESE FIGHTER AIRCRAFT The principle fighters of the Japanese air force are;
The performance and characteristics of each of the above aircraft are shown on sheets 1, 2, 5, 4, and 5. Performance figures were calculated by BuAer using basic data which was obtained from (l) the examination of captured enemy aircraft, (2) translations of captured documents and (3) various reports and intelligence summaries. The performance of "ZEKE" is based on actual flight tests of the aircraft that was recovered from the Alaskan Theater. The horsepower ratings for the Sakae 12 (used in "ZEKE", "RUFE", and "OSCAR") were obtained from a captured document and checked with preliminary estimates made by BuAer. The horsepower ratings used for the Sakae 21 are based on estimates made by BuAer. A dynamometer test is now being run on a captured engine of this type and the results of this test may make slight changes in the performance figures as presented herein for "HAP" and "DINAH". In the case of "DINAH", it is assumed that it is equipped with two Sakae 21 engines because a captured document shows that the engines have two-speed superchargers and approximately the same horsepower rating as the Sakae 21. The speed and rate of climb of the above five fighters is shown graphically on chart No. 1. These graphs show that "HAP" is superior to the other Japanese fighters in speed and that "DINAH" is superior in rate of climb. It is of interest to note that "DINAH" is practically the equal of the single engine fighters in performance. Page 1 A12779 |
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CONFIDENTIAL
Chart No. 1 also shows the comparison of the range of these aircraft. The range, as here stated, is the estimated total distance that can be covered at 90% of maximum speed and at most economical speed using the normal and maximum fuel loading. The range calculations make allowance for fuel, required for five minutes warm-up and take off at maximum rated power plus fuel required for rated power climb to the critical altitude. No allowance is made for combat. It is requested that comments be sent to BuAer from combat areas where actual observed performance is available which relates to the data presented herein. INFORMATION ON THE TAIL OF TYPE 0, MARK 1, SSF FLOAT PLANE, "RUFE". Preliminary examination at the Naval Aircraft Factory, Philadelphia, of the wreckage of two Type 0, Floatplanes, "RUFE", has disclosed some new details of the construction of this aircraft. In all observable respects it is the same aircraft as "ZEKE" with the exception of the tail, the location of the oil cooler in the forward strut of the main float, and the change from landing gear to floats. In the case of "RUFE", the rudder forms the entire after end of the tail and is rounded off at the bottom whereas in the case of "ZEKE", the rudder extends only to the top of the horizontal stabilizer and the fuselage forms the pointed after end of the tail below the rudder. Also the tail wheel has been removed and a small fin has been added to the bottom of the after end of the fuselage and to the bottom of the rudder. A sketch of the tail of "RUFE" is attached hereto.
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CONFIDENTIAL SKETCH SHOWING THE TAIL OF TYPE O, MARK I,
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The aircraft depicted on the sheets following is listed on the lower right-hand corner.
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