302 replies to this topic

[pyantoryng]

460 airspeed

11x7.7mm for 102 firepower

Approx. 361 maneuverability

Optimal Altitude 1050 meters, Climb rate 26.4 m/s

860 HP

 

How does it look?

[J311yfish]

pyantoryng, on 27 November 2017 - 02:19 PM, said:

460 airspeed

11x7.7mm for 102 firepower

Approx. 361 maneuverability

Optimal Altitude 1050 meters, Climb rate 26.4 m/s

860 HP

 

How does it look?

 

​-- "460 airspeed" -- could make sense for Tier V, approximating A6M2

-- "11x7.7mm for 102 firepower" -- does not make sense; and bombs not specifically mentioned

-- "361 maneuverability" + "26.5 m/s climb rate" + "Optimum Altitude 1050m" + "860hp" -- suggest low-mid-altitude bomber

-- the image itself shows the aircraft at low altitude close to the water, viewed from above

-- the image size 1049x675 is unusual, suggesting that it was cropped

-- usually https://gamemodels3d.com/​ has an indication of new aircraft; so far Ki-57 does not show up

-- There is no mention by Francillon of a Ki-57 configured in this way

-- There is no mention by Dyer of a Ki-57 configured this way

-- If everything is true and historical in nature, then possible sources are 'Meatballs and Dead Birds' by Gallagher (pictures of aircraft found at the end of the war), or 'Japanese Experimental Transport Aircraft of the Pacific War' by Picarella, or a perhaps source in Japanese indicating a one-off or late-war conversion for a specific mission or purpose (there are many instances of this).

 

Anyway, curious indeed!

Edited by J311yfish, 28 November 2017 - 01:37 AM.

[J311yfish]

Mitsubishi Ki-57 -- "Topsy" -- Paratroop and Special Forces Operations

-- "With the establishment of the 1st Raiding Regiment and the imminent establishment of the 2nd Raiding Regiment at the end of 1941, the compliment of aircraft to carry them into battle rose to over 50 transports.  The [IJA] arranged these planes into the 1st and 2nd Chutais and placed them under a Hikotai​ headquarters, with the 3rd and 4th Chutais​ coming along in early 1942.  Due to the limited number of aircraft available for dedicated operations it was decided that the 1st and 2nd Chutais​ would operate the Type Lo and Ki-56, while the 3rd and 4th Chutais​ would field the newer and larger Mitsubishi Ki-57 'Topsy'." (Picarella, 40)

-- "... from 1943 onwards the IJA executed all remaining paratroop operations and airborne special attack missions." (Picarella, 40)

-- "The second and possibly most notable paratroop operation of the war occurred at Palembang, Sumatra, on [02/14/1942] --- The first group consisted of 24 transport aircraft and 19 bombers, escorted by Ki-43-I 'Oscars' of the 64th Sentai​.  In place of the standard 3-aircraft formations typically used by the transports, this attacking force of transports and bombers was specially grouped into [groups of 9], a tactic that had been rehearsed during the planning stage of the operation.  This arrangement was designed to provide better fighter cover for the formations.  The second group consisted of 9 transports and 9 bombers covered by Ki-43-Is of the 59th Sentai​. // The drops were satisfactory.  The attacking force succeeded.  Within 72 hours the Japanese had control of Palembang, and air losses during the operation amounted to 3 transports and 1 bomber." (Picarella, 40)

-- "Following the success of Palembang, the IJA paratroop operations were planned against such targets as Tjilatap in Java, Pangkalanberandan and Sabang in Sumatra, and Andaman in the Indian Ocean ..." (Picarella, 40)

-- "Surprisingly, some aircraft of the 1st Paratroop Sentai​ carried out maritime patrol duties around Andaman and the Nicobar area in Bengal Bay.  To be suitable to operate in this capacity, maintenance personnel modified the Ki-57s in the field by installing bomb shackles so that the planes could carry bombs and depth charges." (Picarella, 42)

 

Sources:

Japanese Experimental Transport Aircraft of the Pacific War, by Giuseppe Picarella (2011 Stratus)

 

-----------------------------------------------------------

 

Based on the above, it would seem that the Ki-57, if truly to be in game, could be part of a new game mode -- such as: 1) capture of enemy territory via paratroopers instead of outright destruction; 2) escort of the Ki-57 so that it can reach its destination.  There is also the possibility that the Ki-57 could be used as a low-altitude bomber or as coastal defense.

[pyantoryng]

Within the current framework I'd say that it would appear as a bomber...

 

...the 11x7.7mm is still a mystery though...

[J311yfish]

New tech tree background has bombs, jet engines, and what appears to be an Aichi D3A with a bomb along the centerline.  Ki-10 upper left, Ki-84 far lower left (halfway off-screen):

Spoiler

 

 

old background with A5M upper left, J4M lower left and right:

Spoiler

 

 

Edited by J311yfish, 06 February 2018 - 02:36 AM.

[pyantoryng]

J4M changed to J7W1 too...

[Hiro_Yoshi]

Commander_Rasseru, on 25 February 2014 - 11:10 PM, said:

Torpedo bombers could take a role as Attack aircraft. The Devs would just have to switch to bombs and add some guns. I don't think all B5N and the B6N were gun-less.

B5N  1 × 7.7 mm Type 92 machine gun in rear dorsal position and later  a 2 × 7.7 Type 97 machine guns in the wings. Also 1x 800kg (1,760lb) bomb or 2 × 250 kg (550 lb) bombs or 6 × 132 kg (293 lb) bombs

B6N Type 92 machine gun in a ventral tunnel at the rear of the cockpit, and a 7.7mm Type 97 machine-gun to the port wing.  Revised tail armament. 7.7 mm (.303 in) Type 92 machine gun and later replaced with one 13 mm Type 2 machine gun. 800 kg (1,760 lb) of bombs (1 x 800kg or 500kg, or 2 x 250kg)

Don't forget Seaplane.... they could be useful for a low or med tier plane. Like the Aichi M6A.

 

​That is VERY light armament, so what role would they fill? The TBM Avenger was a contemporary of the B6N yet it was more heavily armed. The same goes for US dive bombers versus Japanese dive bombers, as US Navy Dauntless dive bombers were sometimes employed as low altitude fighters.

[J311yfish]

Hiro_Yoshi, on 06 February 2018 - 04:10 AM, said:

​That is VERY light armament, so what role would they fill? 

 

I am not a developer, but if I had to guess, I would say that in the context of new objectives that mimic historical scenarios, torpedo bombers might have a place -- if not as a playable aircraft, then perhaps as a bot aircraft to be protected.  For example,  provide air superiority for the torpedo bombers as they fly in and sink the American carrier.  If you are defending the carrier, then you are trying to destroy the torpedo bombers while fighters try to shoot you down.  Do you take out the fighters first to achieve air superiority, thus making quick work of the remaining torpedo bombers?  Or, do you try to take out the torpedo bombers first to keep the carrier afloat?  Just an idea.  2.0 really is the beginning of these kinds of possibilities.

[J311yfish]

J311yfish, on 13 March 2017 - 03:15 PM, said:

 

182,840 views since creation 02/24/2014 as of 03/13/2017 = 1,112 days = 164 views/day = 6.85 views/hour average over the lifetime of the thread.

 

241,858 views since creation 02/24/2014 as of 03/08/2018 = 1,474 days = 164 views/day = 6.84 views/hour average over the lifetime of the thread -- still going strong!

[J311yfish]

Imperial Japanese Army Air Force -- armament and implications

 

This is a re-post and update of an earlier post, due to limited space.

 

Key

 Purple = tier verified

 Maroon = tier approx.

 

Sources:

-- Mikesh

-- Wargaming links

 

------------------------------------------------

 

IJAAF

Year	Name	Caliber	rpm	m/s	status	notes
1930-~1940 1939-1944 1940-1945	Army Type 89 fixed Te-1 flex Army Type 89 Kai fixed	7.7mm (7.7x58 SR)	900	820	operational	"...license-built copy of the Vickers Class E gun chambered for 7.7x58 SR Type 89 cartridge"; "synchronized well, but also saw much use as a wing mount"; heavily revised 1938-1940, thereafter marked Type 89 kai;  Te-1 = Type 89 made flexible; "used in tail of Ki-21, and perhaps other applications." Developer: Vickers; Giken possibly Producer: Tokyo (early), Kokura and Nagoya A.A.'s II 2x7.7mm Type 89 (S) Nakajima Type 91  II II 2x7.7mm Type 89 (S) Nakajima A4N  II II 2x7.7mm Type 89 (S) Mitsubishi Ki-18  II II 2x7.7mm Type 89 (S) Nakajima Ki-8  II II 2x7.7mm Type 89 (S) Nakajima Ki-11  II -- confirm II 2x7.7mm Type 89 (S) Nakajima Ki-27  II II 2x7.7mm Type 89 (S) Nakajima Ki-43 IV II 2x7.7mm Type 89 (S) Kawasaki Type 92  II -- confirm II 2x7.7mm Type 89 (S) Kawasaki Ki-10  II II 2x7.7mm Type 89 (S) Kawasaki Ki-28  IV II 1x7.7mm Type 89 (S) Kawasaki Ki-3  II -- confirm II 1x7.7mm Type 89 (rear) Kawasaki Ki-3  II -- confirm II 2x7.7mm Type 89 (rear) Kawasaki Ki-3  II -- confirm II 1x7.7mm Type 89 (S) Kawasaki Ki-32  III II 1x7.7mm Type 89 (rear) Kawasaki Ki-32  III II 2x7.7mm Type 89 (W) Mitsubishi Ki-30  III II 2x7.7mm Type 89 (rear) Mitsubishi Ki-30  III III 2x7.7mm Type 89 © Kawasaki Ki-45  IV II 1x7.7mm Type 89 (rear) Kawasaki Ki-45  IV II 1x7.7mm Type 89 (rear) Kawasaki Ki-45 KAI  V II 2x7.7mm Type 89 (W)  Mitsubishi Ki-51 IV II 1x7.7mm Type 89 (rear)  Mitsubishi Ki-51 IV
1936-1945	Te-4	7.7mm (7.7x58 SR)	730	810		Developer: Probably Tokyo Army Arsenal/Giken Producer: Tokyo (early), Kokura and Nagoya A.A.'s II  1x7.7mm Te-4 (rear)  Nakajima Ki-8  II IV  1x7.7mm Te-4 (rear) Kawasaki Ki-45  V
1938-1945	Army Type 98 flex	7.9mm (7.92x57)	1100	750	operational	licensed production of Luftwaffe MG 15; essentially the same as Navy Type 1 flexible; produced by Nagoya Army Arsenal for IJN late in war Developer: Solothurn Producer: Nagoya Army Arsenal IV  1x7.92mm Type 98 (rear) Kawasaki Ki-45  V
1938-1945	Army Type 98 fixed	7.9mm (7.92x57)	1100	750	operational	licensed production of Luftwaffe MG 17 Developer: Solothurn Producer: Nagoya A.A.
1940-1945	Army Type 100/1 flex	7.9mm (7.92x57)	2200	750	operational	twin gun; "developed by placing the actions of two Czech ZB 26 (BREN type) infantry guns side-by-side in a single receiver -- a remarkable piece of work." Developer: Giken Producer: Nagoya Army Arsenal
1941-1945	Army Type 1 (Ho-103 fixed) (Ho-104 flex)	13mm (12.7x81 SR)	900 400(S)	780	operational	Ho-103 (fixed); project to adapt U.S. Model 1921 Browning to Italian cartridge; found in Kawasaki Ki-61 Ho-104 (flexible); developed late in the war, saw service in the Mitsubishi Ki-67 Developer: Chuuou Kougyou KK Producer: Chuuou Kougyou KK; Kokura and Nagoya A.A.'s IV 2x12.7mm Type 1 (S) Nakajima Ki-43 IV IV  2x12.7mm Type 1 (W) Mitsubishi Ki-51 IV IV  2x12.7mm Type 1 © Kawasaki Ki-45 KAIa V IV  2x12.7mm Type 1 (S) Kawasaki Ki-6001 V IV  4x12.7mm Type 1 (S+W) Kawasaki Ki-6003 V IV  2x12.7mm Type 1 (S) Kawasaki Ki-61 V IV  2x12.7mm Type 1 (W) Kawasaki Ki-61 V IV  2x12.7mm Type 1 (W) Kawasaki Ki-61-II VI IV  2x12.7mm Type 1 (W) Kawasaki Ki-100 VII
~1941-1944+	Ho-1	20mm (20x125)	400	820	operational	"the first in a series of Ho-00X 20mm aircraft machine gun projects; based on the powerful Army Type 97 anti-tank gun Developer: Japan Special Steel/Giken Producer: Kokura A.A.
1942?-1945	Ho-3	20mm (20x125)	400	820	operational	Developer: Japan Special Steel/Giken Producer: Kokura A.A. ​IV  2x20mm Ho-3-II (S)  Nakajima Ki-43-II  V IV  1x20mm Ho-3 © Kawasaki Ki-45 KAIa V IV  1x20mm Ho-3 © Kawasaki Ki-45 KAIb V
1942?-1945	Army Type 2 (Ho-5)	20mm (20x94)	750-850	750-820	operational	"The first true fighter-fighter 20mm cannon produced by the Army, the best Japanese 20mm aircraft gun,  and arguably the best WWII 20mm produced by any combatant nation -- when made with decent raw materials  and skilled labor; evolved by scaling up Ho-103, chambering for shortened version of the very popular 20x100 Hispano-Suiza cartridge." Developer: Chuuou Kougyou KK Producer: Hitachi Heiki KK; Kokura and Nagoya A.A.'s V  2x20mm Ho-5I (S)  Nakajima Ki-43-II  V VI  2x20mm Ho-5 (S) Nakajima Ki-43-III V VI  2x20mm Ho-5 (N) Kawasaki Ki-45 KAI a/b/d V VI  2x20mm Ho-5 (S) Kawasaki Ki-88  VI VI  2x20mm Ho-5 (S) Kawasaki Ki-61  V VI  2x20mm Ho-5 (S) Kawasaki Ki-61-II  VI VI  2x20mm Ho-5 (S) Kawasaki Ki-100  VII VI  2x20mm Ho-5 (S) Kawasaki Ki-64  VI VI  2x20mm Ho-5 (W) Kawasaki Ki-64  VI VI  2x20mm Ho-5 (_) Kawasaki Ki-96  VI VI  2x20mm Ho-5-II (S) Nakajima Ki-84 VII VI  2x20mm Ho-5-II (W) Nakajima Ki-84 VII VI  2-4x20mm Ho-5 (W) Kawasaki Ki-94-II  VIII
	Ho-51	25mm			experimental	further modified to become Ho-155 Ho-155-I = Ho-51 scaled up Ho-155-II = Ho-155-I trimmed down, intended to fit spots originally for Ho-5
late 1944-1945	Ho-155-I Ho-155-II	30mm (30x115)	500	700	experimental	scaled up from Ho-51;  would have been very difficult to synchronize at a useful rate of fire; Neither Ho-155-I or Ho-155-II ever formally adopted, both remaining experimental; given the misnomer 'Ho-105' Developer: Chuuou Kougyou KK Producer: Nagoya A.A.'s Nakajima Ki-84-Ic Nakajima Ki-87 Rikugun Ki-202 Nakajima Kikka Nakajima Ki-201 VII  2x30mm Ho-105-II (W) Nakajima Ki-84 VII VII  2x30mm Ho-105-II (W) Tachikawa Ki-94-I  VII VII  2x30mm Ho-105-II (W) Tachikawa Ki-94-II  VIII ​VIII  2x30mm Ho-105-I ©  Tachikawa Ki-162-I  IX ​IX  2x30mm Ho-105-III © Tachikawa Ki-162-I  IX​, Tachikawa Ki-162-III  X
1943-1945	Ho-203	37mm (37x111 R)	~130	570	operational	"entirely unsuited for wing mounting; very low rate of fire; relatively useless for fighter-fighter conflict, though pressed into such use"; designed/installed for bomber attack Developer: Japan Special Steel Producer: Japan Special Steel; Kokura and Nagoya A.A.'s Mitsubishi Ki-83 VI  1x37mm Ho-203 © Kawasaki Ki-45 KAIc  V VI  1x37mm Ho-203 (_) Kawasaki Ki-45 KAId  V VI  1x37mm Ho-203 (N) Kawasaki Ki-96  VI Kawasaki Ki-102 Kawasaki Ki-108 VI  1x37mm Ho-203 (H) Kawasaki Ki-88  VI
1944-1945	Ho-204	37mm (37x144)	400	450	operational	primary use of the gun was in the Ki-46-III Kai air defense fighter; some sources misidentify as Ho-203; Developer: Chuuou Kougyou KK Producer: Chuuou Kougyou KK (few); Kokura and Nagoya A.A.'s IX  2x37mm Ho-204 (W) Tachikawa Ki-94-I  VII Mansyu Ki-98
1943-1945	Ho-301	40mm caseless (40x129)	475	245	operational	"the only aircraft gun using caseless ammunition to see combat; should really be considered an automatic grenade launcher" Developer: Chuuou Kougyou KK Producer: Nagoya A.A.'s Nakajima Ki-44-IIc
1944?-1945	Ho-401	57mm (57x121 R)	80-100	560	operational	"can be though of as either a scaled-up Ho-203, or automated Type 90 tank gun" Developer: Japan Special Steel Producer: Japan Special Steel; Nagoya A.A. Kawasaki Ki-102 Tachikawa Ki-94-I​ -- Note: premium in game uses the 2x37mm configuration instead
1943-1945	Ho-402	57mm (57x577 R)			experimental	57x577R tank/antitank gun with recoil operated automatic loader;  "Rikugun Ki-93-Ia designed around this gun" Rikugun Ki-93-Ia
1945	Ho-403	(57x187 R)			experimental	little-known Kokura arsenal project; design stage 1945; smaller and less powerful than Ho-402; probable 57x187R
1943-1945	Ho-501	75mm			experimental	75mm version of Ho-203; in development at end of war, no testing reported
	Ho-502/503/504				experimental	unknown
	Ho-505	75mm			experimental	distinct from Ho-501; "this may be the Type 88 antiaircraft gun fitted with a recoil-operated automatic loader" Rikugun Ki-93-1b
1942-1945	Ho-3057	57mm caseless			experimental	single feasability prototype; now at USAF museum
1942	Ho-3075	75mm caseless			experimental	abandoned in design phase
1942-1945	Ho-3157	57x187RB			experimental	2 unfinished feasibility prototypes; recovered 1945
1942	Ho-3175	75mm			experimental	75mm version of Ho-3157; abandoned in design phase 1942

Data: Mikesh.     [more]

 

Conclusions
-- Kayaba Katsuodori's 30mm caseless ammo might be fired from an experimental cannon named 'Ho-3030' (based on naming conventions for Ho-3057 and Ho-3075 caseless ammo projects)

Edited by J311yfish, 15 November 2018 - 05:00 PM.

[J311yfish]

Imperial Japanese Navy -- armament and implications

 

This is a re-post and update of an earlier post, due to limited space.

 

Key

 Purple = tier verified

 Maroon = tier approx

 

Sources:

-- Mikesh

-- Wargaming links

 

------------------------------------------------

 

IJN

Year	Name	Caliber	rpm	m/s	status	notes
1932-1945	Navy Type 92 flex	7.7mm (7.7x56 R) (.303 British)	600	740	operational	license-built copy of Lewis lmg built by BAS in England Developer: Savage Arms Co. Producer: Toyokawa and Yokosuka N.A.'s II  2x7.7mm Type 92 (S) Aichi D1A1  II -- confirm II  1x7.7mm Type 92 (rear) Aichi D1A1  II II  1x7.7mm Type 92 (rear) Kusho B4Y1  II II  1x7.7mm Type 92 (rear) Nakajima B5N1  III II  1x7.7mm Type 92 (rear) Nakajima B5N2  IV II  2x7.7mm Type 92 (rear) Aichi D3A  IV II  2x7.7mm Type 92 (S) Kusho D4Y  V -- confirm II  1x7.7mm Type 92 Kugisho P1Y1  VI
1937-1945	Navy Type 97 fixed	7.7mm (7.7x56 R) (.303 British)	900	745	operational	license-built copy of the Vickers E Developer: Vickers Producer: KK Nihon Seikoujo; Suzuka and Yokosuka N.A.'s III  2x7.7mm Type 97 Model 1 (S)  Nakajima A4N  II III  2x7.7mm Type 97 Model 1 (S)  Mitsubishi A5M  III III  2x7.7mm Type 97 Model 1 (S)  Mitsubishi Ki-33 III III  2x7.7mm Type 97 Model 2 (S)  Mitsubishi A6M1  IV III  2x7.7mm Type 97 Model 2 (S)  Mitsubishi A6M2  V V  2x7.7mm Type 97 Model 2 (S) Mitsubishi A6M3 VI III  2x7.7mm Type 97 Model 2 (S)  Mitsubishi A6M5  VI III  2x7.7mm Type 97 (S)  Mitsubishi J2M  V III  2x7.7mm Type 97 (S)  Kawanishi N1K1-J  VI III  2x7.7mm Type 97 (S)  Aichi D3A  IV III  2x7.7mm Type 97 (S)  Kusho D4Y  V III  1x7.7mm Type 97 (VT) Nakajima B6N  V III  1x7.7mm Type 97 (rear) Nakajima B6N  V -- confirm
1939-1945	Navy Type 99 Mk.1 fixed/flex	20mm (20x72 RB)	520-550	600	operational	all variants based on license-built copy of Oerlikon FF (FF, FFL, FFS) Developer: Oerlikon/Dainihon Heiki KK Producer: Dainihon Heiki KK; Toyokawa N.A.; likely others V  2x20mm Type 99-1 Model 1 (W)  Mitsubishi A6M1  IV V  2x20mm Type 99-1 Model 1 (W)  Mitsubishi A6M2  V V  2x20mm Type 99-1 Model 1 (W)  Mitsubishi A6M5  VI VI  2x20mm Type 99-1 Model 3 (W)  Mitsubishi A6M2  V VI  2x20mm Type 99-1 Model 3 (W)  Mitsubishi J2M  V VI  2x20mm Type 99-1 Model 4 (W)  Mitsubishi J2M  V V  1x20mm Type 99-1 (N)  Nakajima J1N1  V
1941-1945	Navy Type 99 Mk.2 fixed	20mm (20x101 RB)	480-500	750-760	operational	license-built Oerlikon FFL Developer: Oerlikon/Dainihon Heiki KK [Kugishisyo possibly] Producer: Dainihon Heiki KK; Tagajou N.A. VII  2x20mm Type 99-2 Model 1 (W)  Mitsubishi A6M5 VI VII  2x20mm Type 99-2 Model 4 (W)  Mitsubishi A7M VII VII  2x20mm Type 99-2 (W)  Mitsubishi J2M  V VII  2x20mm Type 99-2 (W) Kawanishi N1K1-J  VI VII  4x20mm Type 99-2 (W) Kawanishi N1K1-J  VI VII  4x20mm Type 99-2 (W) Kawanishi N1K2-J  VII VII  2x20mm Type 99-2 (W) Aichi B7A  VI VII  2x20mm Type 99-2 (F) Aichi S1A  VII VII  2x20mm Type 99-2 (remote-control dorsal turret) Aichi S1A  VII VII  2x20mm Type 99-2 (N) Nakajima J5N1  VII
03/1945+	Navy Type 99 Mk.2 Model 5 fixed	20mm (20x101 RB)	620	760	operational	used Kawamura belt feed of the Model 4 and a very strong multiple coil spring external bolt buffer to achieve a much higher rate of fire than typical for Oerlikon guns VII  2x20mm Type 99-2 Model 5 (W)  Mitsubishi A7M VII VII  2x20mm Type 99-2 Model 5 ©  Mitsubishi J4M VII
1941-1945	Navy Type 1 flex	7.92mm (7.92x57)	1000	785	operational	license-built copy of Luftwaffe MG 15; like IJAAF Type 98; Nagoya Army Arsenal became major manufacturer for Navy  Developer: Solothurn Producer: Nagoya Army Arsena; Tagajou and Yokosuka N.A.'s III  1x7.92mm MG-15 rear gun Bf 110 C-6  IV III  1x7.92mm Type 1 (rear) Kusho D4Y  V III  1x7.92mm Type 1 (rear) Aichi B7A  VI
~1942-1945	Navy Type 2 flex	13mm (13x64 B)	900	750	operational	license-built copy of Luftwaffe MG 131, in the original percussion-ignition form of that gun Developer: Rheinmetall-Borsig AG Producer: KK Nihon Seikoujo; Suzuka (possibly) and Toyokawa N.A.'s IV  2x13.2mm Type 2 (S)  Mitsubishi A5M  III -- confirm; possible error in name/caliber VI  1x13mm Type 2 (rear) Nakajima B6N  V VI  1x13mm Type 2 (rear) Kusho D4Y  V VI  1x13mm Type 2 (rear) Aichi B7A  VI VI  Kugisho P1Y1  VI VI  2x13mm MG 131 (S) Fw190A-5/D/Bf 109F/G/Me209A VI/VI/VI/VII/VIII VI  13mm MG 131 rear Ju 88P  VI VI  2x13mm MG 131 rear Me265  VI VII  4x13mm MG 131 rear Me265  VII
1944-1945	Type 2 fixed	30mm (30x91 RB)	400	710	operational	underpowered, slow-firing, limited magazine capacity; limited deployment; combat testing spring 1944 on Truk; rejected for fighter wing mounting, ostensibly because of its small magazine capacity Developer: Dainihon Heiki KK Producer: Dainihon Heiki KK VII  2x30mm Type 2 exp (W) Mitsubishi A6M3 VI VIII  1x30mm Type 2 © Mitsubishi J4M VII VIII  4x30mm Type 2 ©  Kyushu J7W1 VIII
1943-1945	Type 3 fixed/flex	13.2mm (13.2x99)	800	790-800	operational	straightforward copies of the M2 Browning (12.7x99 Browning) but chambered for the 13.2x99 Hotchkiss Developer: Kugishisyo possibly Producer: KK Nihon Seikoujo; Suzuka and Toyokawa N.A.'s VI  2x13.2mm Type 3 (W)  Mitsubishi A6M5 VI VI  2x13.2mm Type 3 (W)  Mitsubishi A7M  VII VI  2x13.2mm (_) Kawanishi N1K3-J  VII VI  2x13.2mm (_) Kawanishi N1K4-J  VII VI  2x13.2mm (_) Kawanishi N1K5-J  VII
1945	Type 5 fixed	30mm (30x122)	500	760	operational	original and efficient; recoil to airframe greatly reduced; weapon of choice for all Navy proposed/prototype fighter/interceptors of 1945; about 2000 made, but few in action before war end. Developer: Japan Special Steel ​Producer: Toyokawa N.A.; test quantities by Japan Special Steel and KK Nihon Seikoujo VIII  2x30mm Type 5 (W)  Mitsubishi J2M5  V (proof) VIII  2x30mm Type 5 (F)  Aichi S1A  VII VIII  2x30mm Type 5 (N)  Nakajima J5N1  VII VIII  1x30mm Type 5 (N)  Nakajima Kikka  VIII VIII  2x30mm Type 5 (N)  Nakajima Kikka  VIII VIII  2x30mm Type 5 (W)  Mitsubishi J8M  VIII IX  4x30mm Type 5 ©  Kyushu J7W1  VIII IX  4x30mm Type 5 ©  Kyushu J7W2  IX
1939	14-shi	23mm			experimental	scaling 20mm Oerlikon FF design down to produce medium caliber gun 03/1939 to 09/1942 program to improve Oerlikon FFS motor-cannon [designations provided]
	14-shi	14mm			experimental	testing began 03/1941, completed by 07/1942     cartridge similar to 20x100 RB Oerlikon L, necked down to 14mm; similar to Type 99-1
08/1942+	17-shi				experimental	“special large caliber machine gun” program; several developed; most or all disintegrating belt fed.
	17-shi	25mm			experimental	“Model 4” (4 gata) Type 96 Hotchkiss antiaircraft gun modified for aircraft use; belt fed; heavy and slow firing; abandoned in favor of 30mm
	17-shi-otsu	30mm			experimental	becomes Type 5 30mm (operational)
	17-shi-kou	30mm			experimental	Kugisho-designed 30x122 cartridge; 10kg heavier than otsu X  Kyushu J7W3?  X -- confirm; possible error in name X  Kugisho R2Y2?  IX
	17-shi	40mm			experimental	40x150 cartridge; diagramed by Chinn in great detail; very original, short-recoil operated with advanced primer ignition, rising-block locked, disintegrating belt fed; designed and developed primarily by Kure Naval Arsenal; rejected in favor of Type 5 30mm in 03/1945 after considerable development; 6 projectile modifications of Vickers 40mm catalogued. X  Kugisho R2Y2?  IX X  Kugisho R2Y3?  X
	18-shi	20mm			experimental	closely related to Type 5 (30mm) but using a 20x98 cartridge (shortened from 20x125); may be direct derivative of Army Ho-4; developed by Kugisyo; discontinued 03/1945.

Data: Mikesh

Edited by J311yfish, 15 November 2018 - 04:01 PM.

[J311yfish]

March 2018: Developer Q&A Part 1

 Q: What additions to the Japanese line can we expect to come in the following years?
A: The near future will bring a mini-branch of Japanese heavy fighters that will specialize in bomber interception.

 

Q: Will the Ki-61 ever see its synchronized Ho-5 20mm cannons, or its Ho-155 30mm wing cannons?
A: No plans for that currently.

 

[J311yfish]

J311yfish, on 21 March 2014 - 01:27 PM, said:

Tier VII

 

Mitsubishi A7M Reppū (Strong Gale)  烈風  -- "Sam"  (05/1944) -- Experimental Carrier Fighter

Production	Airframe	Engine	Speed	Armament		Bombs**
2 prototypes	VI  A7M1 (M-50)	VII Nakajima NK9K Homare 22 [Ha-45-22] 2000hp 1570hp @ 6850m	575 km/h @6190m	VI  2x13.2mm Type 3 (W)	VII  2x20mm Type 99 Model 2 (W)	2x250 kg
7 prototypes 1 production	VII A7M2 Model 22	VIII Mitsubishi MK9A [Ha-43-11] 2200hp* 1800hp @ 6000m IX   Mitsubishi MK9E 2550hp (fiction?)	628 km/h @6600m	None	VII  4x20mm Type 99 Model 2 (W)	2x250 kg
0; incomplete	A7M3-J Reppu Kai	Mitsubishi MK9A Ru [Ha-43-11 Ru] 2200hp 2130hp  @  6800m 1920hp @ 10200m	649 km/h @10000m	2x30mm Type 5 oblique 60-deg (F)	IX  4x30mm Type 5 (W)	2x250 kg
0; incomplete	A7M3	Mitsubishi MK9C [Ha-43-31] 2250hp 2000hp @ 1800m 1800hp @ 5000m 1660hp @ 8700m	642 km/h @8700m	None	6x20mm Type 99 Model 2 (W)	2x250 kg

Data:  Francillon (401-403), Dyer (85-90)  //  Specifications in-game  //  development timeline

 

Notes:

-- Wargaming article on A7M

-- "In the Reppu, Japanese pilots felt they could confidently battle the latest U.S. fighters such as the Chance-Vought F4U Corsair and the Grumman F6F Hellcat and come out on top." (Dyer #2, 87)

-- Dyer claims A7M2 external payload was to be 2x60kg and 2x30kg, or two 350 liter drop tanks. (Dyer #2, 87)

-- Dyer claims A8M Rifuku in design stage but does not elaborate further [see Alternates]. (Dyer #2, 90)

 

A7M performance at altitude by engine (Francillon):

engine	altitude (m)	horsepower (hp)	climb (mm:ss)	speed (km/h)
NK9K Homare 22 (A7M1)	takeoff	2000
	6000 6190		9:54	"underpowered" 574 km/h
	6850	1570
MK9A (A7M2)	takeoff	2200
	6000 6600	1800	6:07	627 km/h
MK9C (A7M3)	takeoff	2250
	1800	2000
	5000	1800
	8700	1660		642 km/h (est.)
	10000		13:06 (est.)
MK9A Ru [Ha-43-11 Ru]  (A7M3-J)	takeoff	2200
	6800	2130
	10000		15:00 (est.)	648 km/h (est.)
	10300	1920

Data: Francillon, Dyer   * based on these estimates, A7M3 and A7M3-J climb rate to 10000m exceeds J6K1

 

 

Kawanishi N1K2-J Shiden Kai (Violet Lightning, Modified)  紫電改​  -- "George"  (12/1943) -- Navy Interceptor Fighter

 

-- see progression from N1K1-J above

 

 

Nakajima J5N1 Tenrai (Heavenly Thunder)  天の雷  (07/1944) -- Experimental Interceptor Fighter

Production	Airframe	Engine	Speed	Armament		Bombs
6	J5N1	VII  2x NK9H Homare 21 1990hp (four-blade props)*	597 km/h @ 6000m	VIII  2x30mm Type 5	VII  2x20mm Type 99-2	2x60kg

* also used by N1K1-J, N1K2-J, N1K3-J and Ki-84

 

Note:

-- "Designed by Katsuji Nakamura [engineer for J1N1] and Kazuo Ohno [later worked on Kikka] to meet ... requirement for a single-seat shore-based, twin-engined interceptor ... bore no more than a configurational resemblance to the preceding J1N1 ... development was cancelled when it became obvious that the shortcomings of the Tenrai could not be rectified without major redesign." (Green, 428-429)

-- "During the spring of 1943 Nakajima undertook the design of a single-seat twin-engine aircraft to meet the requirements of an 18-Shi specification calling for an interceptor fighter capable of reaching a top speed of [666 km/h @ 6000m].  Bearing a strong resemblance to their earlier J1N1, but fitted with an all-round-vision cockpit canopy above the leading edge of the wings ... Flight trials begun [07/1944] were disappointing ... 6 prototypes were built, the last 2 being experimentally modified as two-seaters ... not placed in production." (Francillon, 492)

-- "In a further attempt to expedite production of Kikka, the J5N1 Tenrai, twin-engine fighter by Nakajima was discontinued ... and standby plans were made to curtail or terminate production of the four-engine [G8N] Renzan (RITA)." (Mikesh, 14)

-- another 3-view (Hashimoto)

 

 

Kugisho P1Y3 Ginga (Galaxy)  銀河  -- "Frances" (07/1945+)

 

-- see progression from Tier VI above

 

 

Kayaba Katsuodori -- (~1944) -- Experimental Ramjet Interceptor

Production	Airframe	Engine	Speed	Armament	Bombs
(1944 prototype projected)	Katsuodori	VII  Kayaba Model 1 (or possibly later) ramjet  300-750kg*	up to 900 km/h (est.)	VIII  2x30mm (W) caseless ammo	None
		VII  Ne-20  490kg thrust  (proposed; as used in Kikka)
		IX  Toku-Ro 2 (KR10)  1500kg thrust   (proposed; as used in J8M)

Data:  Dyer    *see speed/thrust relationship table below

 

Notes:

-- Tailless ramjet-powered point defense interceptor, named after the katsuodori bird that dives to catch fish. (Dyer, 17)

Engine Background

-- "The genesis of the Kayaba Katsuodori began as far back as 1937 with the Kayaba Ramjet Study Group, a collection of engineers and scientists who sought to investigate ramjet propulsion in Japan.  The concept of the ramjet was actually patented in 1908 by French engineer René Lorin, but it was the Russian I.A. Merkulov who first built and tested one, the GIRD-04 in 1933." (Dyer, 17)

-- "The main drawback with a ramjet engine is that at subsonic speeds its performance is poor.  Below 612 km/h (380 mph), a ramjet suffers significant loss in speed and becomes highly inefficient in terms of fuel consumption.  The ramjet typically requires another power source to bring the aircraft up to the speed at which the ramjet can operate efficiently.  Typically, this speed is at least 966 km/h.  Once the ramjet reaches that speed the engine is self-sufficient and, without fuel injection moderation, would propel the plane to speeds far in excess of the designs ability to handle the high temperatures and Mach number." (Dyer, 17)

-- "The Kayaba Ramjet Study Group saw the benefits of high speed with a relatively easy to manufacture engine.  The group produced to test [engines] before the final product, the Kayaba Model 1 ramjet, was realized.  The Model 1 was projected to be able to offer speeds of [up to] 900 km/h (559 mph).  With the engine complete, all that was needed was the [airframe]." (Dyer, 17)

Airframe Background

-- "The airframe design began with Kumazo Hino.  Hino was an officer in the IJA and had been the first Japanese to unofficially make a flight on December 14 1910 when he accidentally took to the air in a Hans Grade monoplane while he was taxiing.  This aircraft had been purchased from Germany.  His interest in aviation saw him produce four aircraft designs:  the Hino No.1, No.2, and the No.3 and No.4 Kamikaze-go airplanes.  However each of these designs was a failure.  Pressure from his military superiors saw Hino give up on aviation by 1912. However, in 1937, Hino was inspired to create a tailless glider.  The project was taken over by the Kayaba Seisakusho (Kayaba Manufacturing Works) and then by Dr. Hidemasa Kimura who worked for the Aeronautical Research Institute of the Tokyo Imperial University under Dr. Taichiro Ogawa. [the radical Kawasaki Ki-78, inspired by the Me 209, was also created there]  The result was the HK-1.  the HK-1 (standing for Hino Kumazo) was built by the Ito Hikoki K.K. and was completed [02/1938].  It was purely a research glider to test the tailless concept.  Testing commenced [12/1938] with ground towing at Kashima in Ibaraki Prefecture and the first air released flights began [09/1939] at Tsudanuma in Chiba Prefecture.  Because it showed positive results, the IJA took an interest in the concept ... HK-1 was purchased by the Rikugun Kokugijutsu Kenkyujo in [04/1940] for continued testing ... test flight on April 16 by an IJA officer pilot resulted in a hard landing that damaged the HK-1 beyond repair.  In all, 182 flights had been made in the HK-1." (Dyer, 17-18)

-- "... IJA still interested ... Rikugun Kokugijutsu Kenkyujo set aside 200,000 yen to continue the project.  Kimura, along with Kayaba's chief development designer Dr. Shigeki Naito, set about the task of producing a new tailless aircraft, this time with a possible military application.  The result was the Ku-2 ... no tail but rudders were fixed to the wing tips and the design was tested extensively from [11/1940] through [05/1941] making 270 flights in all before it was damaged in a crash on May 10 [1941].  To further test the concept, Kimura (with the aid of Joji Washimi) produced the Ku-3 which had no vertical control surfaces at all and featured a cranked delta wing form to test various angles of sweep.  The only control came from the flaps arranged along the wings.  65 flights were carried out with the single Ku-3 before a crash in 1941 wrecked the glider." (Dyer, 18)

-- "The last design put forward by Kimura was the Ku-4 ... to be powered ... rear mounted de Havilland Gipsy 120hp 4-cylinder, air-cooled, inline engine was selected, turning a two-bladed propeller.  Unfortunately for Kimura, the IJA lost interest in the entire concept.  With the loss of the Ku-2 and the Ku-3, the IJA cancelled the Ku-4 before it could be finished.  With no backing, Kayaba could not afford the 100,000 yen to finish the Ku-4 alone.  The IJA had paid Kimura and Kayaba 17,000 yen out of the 200,000 yen project money for costs associated [with development].  The remaining funding was not released.  Shiro Kayaba, however, still had hopes that the concept could become a potent weapon and from this came the Katsuodori." (Dyer, 18)

Kayaba Katsuodori

-- "The roots of the Katsuodori come from the Ku-2. [However unlike] the Ku-2, the wings were moved higher on the fuselage and the wing form had a rearward sweep ... retained the vertical wingtip rudders ... ramjet filled most of the fuselage which meant there was no room for landing gear.  Instead, a main skid was incorporated on the underside of the fuselage along with a small wheel mounted at the rear of the aircraft ... Katsuodori was to be fitted with a simple, sprung set of landing gear that could be jettisoned when the aircraft took to the air.  The pilot sat towards the front of the fuselage and was provided with a one piece canopy that offered respectable visibility to the front and sides." (Dyer, 18)

-- "In order to get the Katsuodori off the ground, Kayaba envisioned the use of four rocket booster units.  Secured to each side of the fuselage under the wings were two rocket units and together all four could provide an estimated 7200kg (15,873 lb) of thrust ... Each rocket contained propellant for 5 seconds of thrust [staggered in pairs over 10 seconds].  Kayaba estimated that ... 367 km/h (228 mph) [would need to be achieved] before the ramjet would operate ... the rockets, once used, may or may not have been releasable but the latter is likely in order to minimize drag." (Dyer, 18)

-- "With the ramjet operating, the estimated performance of the Katsuodori was a speed of [up to] 900 km/h (559 mph) and a climb rate of [3:00 to 10000m].  Fuel load was 1500kg (3306 lb) and with a fuel consumption of 50kg (110 lb) per minute would grant a combat endurance of 30 minutes.  Once the fuel was exhausted, the Katsuodori would use its gliding properties to return to base." [all of this is a similar concept to Messerschmitt Me 163, Mitsubishi J8M, Rikugun Ki-202]

-- "The design of the Katusodori was nearly complete by 1943 and Kayaba anticipated that he could have had a flying prototype by 1944.  By this time, however, the IJA was already involved with the rocket-powered Ki-200 [the IJA version of the IJN's Mitsubishi J8M1 Syusui] and so paid no attention to the Katsuodori.  Kayaba, in trying to salvage the design, stated that he could adapt the Katsuodori to accept the Kugisho Ne-20 turbojet [as used in Nakajima Kikka] or the KR10 rocket motor [as used in the J8M/Ki-200].  And since his design was nearly complete a prototype could be ready for testing before the Ki-200." (Dyer, 18-19)

-- "Despite the potential advantages over the Ki-200, the Katsuodori would never see life outside plans on Kayaba's design board.  The IJA was looking to the Ki-200 and their own Ki-202 for their interceptor needs and thus ended Kayaba's dream of seeing his Katsuodori taking to the skies to defend Japan." (Dyer, 19)

-- model here

Armament

-- "...planned on mounting two 30mm cannons externally, one under each wing near the wing root.  [However] Kayaba did not wish to use existing 30mm cannon designs ... preferring to produce a 30mm version of the 40mm Ho-301 cannon which his manufacturing facilities were constructing for use in the Ki-44-II Hei Shoki fighter.  The Ho-301 used caseless ammunition with each round being, in effect, a rocket.  The propellant cavity was partially lined with a thin aluminum cap.  When the primer was struck, the propellant was ignited and the pressure would build up until the cap burst, the exhaust gas being vented out the back of the round to move the projectile forward.  The main advantage of the weapon was its light weight for such a heavy caliber." (Dyer, 18)

-- "Kayaba's election to use a 30mm version of the Ho-301 cannon would have been a recipe for disaster [against a slow bomber].  The 40mm version, as used in combat by the Japanese, had an incredibly short range -- only 149.5m (490 ft) since it had a muzzle velocity of 241 m/s (790 ft/sec).  Coupling the very short range of such a weapon with a high closure rate due to the speed of the Katsuodori against a slow bomber, the pilot would have had mere seconds or less to line up the target, fire, and then bank to avoid collision.  Since Kayaba did not proceed with a 30mm variant of the Ho-301, the muzzle velocity for the round is unknown but it cannot have been substantially more than the Ho-301." (Dyer, 19)

 

Ramjet variable thrust

Ramjet speed (km/h)	Thrust generated (kg)
367	300
490	420
612	550
734	750
1103	750

^ in other words maximum thrust is reached at and beyond 734 km/h.

 

Size and weight comparison to J8M and Ki-202:

	Katsuodori	J8M / Ki-200	Ki-202
Span (m)	8.99	9.47	9.72
Length (m)	4.48	5.88 (Ki-200) 6.03 (J8M)	7.68
Height (m)	1.85	2.68	2.74
Wing area (m2) Wing Loading (kg/m2)	12.57 .....	17.72 219.22 (J8M1) 219.70 (J8M2)	18.39 272.43
Wing sweep	25.5°		.....
Empty (kg)	850	1445 (J8M1) 1505 (Ki-200) 1510 (J8M2)	1619
Loaded (kg)   Loaded max (kg)	3000	3000 (J8M1) 3650 (J8M2) 3870 (J8M1/Ki-200) 3900 (J8M2)	3384   5015
Max speed	900 km/h (est.)	800-900 km/h @ 10000m (est) (Ki-200)         900 km/h @ 10000m (est.) (J8M)	900 km/h @ 10000m (est.)
Landing speed	100	150 km/h	132
Range	30:00	5:30 (J8M)	10:28
Climb	3:00 to 10000m	3:40 to 10000m (Ki-200) 3:50 to 10000m (J8M)	3:26 to 1000m
Ceiling	15000m	12000m	12000m
Armament	2x30mm caseless	2x30mm Type 5 or 1x30mm Type 5 (J8M) 2x30mm Ho-155 (Ki-200)	2x30mm Ho-155

Data: Dyer

 

 

 

Kayaba Katsuodori vs. Mitsubishi J8M vs. McDonnell XF-85 Goblin

	Katsuodori	J8M / Ki-200	XF-85 Goblin
Span (m)	8.99	9.47	6.43
Length (m)	4.48	5.88 (Ki-200) 6.03 (J8M)	4.52
Height (m)	1.85	2.68	2.54
Wing area (m2) Wing Loading (kg/m2)	12.57 .....	17.72 219.22 (J8M1) 219.70 (J8M2)	9.34 271.9
Wing sweep	25.5°		37°
Empty (kg)	850	1445 (J8M1) 1505 (Ki-200) 1510 (J8M2)	1807
Loaded (kg)   Loaded max (kg)	3000	3000 (J8M1) 3650 (J8M2) 3870 (J8M1/Ki-200) 3900 (J8M2)	2540
Max speed	900 km/h (est.)	800-900 km/h @ 10000m (est) (Ki-200)         900 km/h @ 10000m (est.) (J8M)	1,043 km/h @ SL    935 km/h @ 10,670m
Landing speed	100	150 km/h	...
Range/Endurance	30:00	5:30 (J8M)	20:00
Climb	3:00 to 10000m	3:40 to 10000m (Ki-200) 3:50 to 10000m (J8M)	3:26 to 1000m
Ceiling	15000m	12000m	14630m
Armament	2x30mm caseless	2x30mm Type 5 or 1x30mm Type 5 (J8M) 2x30mm Ho-155 (Ki-200)	4x0.50"

Data: Dyer, Francillon

 

XF-85 Goblin is comparable in size to Kayaba Katsuodori ramjet fighter, though it has a smaller profile from above/below (~30%), and larger profile from front/back (+37%).  For comparison to Rikugun Ki-202 (tier IX/X rocket fighter) see spoiler tag above.

Edited by J311yfish, 20 April 2018 - 02:23 PM.

[J311yfish]

Akamatsu medal = Mitsubishi J2M Raiden

 

[pyantoryng]

Got any info on Type 3 aircraft rockets? The current carrier rework over in WoWS has their Japanese fighters sling this "Type 3 No. 1 Mk.28" thing as their rocket attacks. Maybe Japan can finally get some extra explosive power for use in WoWP?

 

The Hakuryu also get a Nakajima J5N "Tenrai" (is that thing even supposed to operate off carriers?) option as torpedo bombers but not "Wakusei" dive bombers. Could this thing be included into WoWP in some capability?

[J311yfish]

Update 2.08

 

Update 2.08 -- 11/07/2018

 

Pilots!

Meet Update 2.0.8 for World of Warplanes.

Please note: In order to deploy the latest update, the servers will undergo maintenance on November 8 from 00:00 PT / 03.00 ET till 04:00 PT / 07:00 ET

Total size of this update from previous version:

 

SD part (base client): 709,5 MB

SD + HD (with high res textures): 1,11 GB

 

For new players size of client to download

SD part (base client): 7,4 GB

SD + HD parts: 16,3 GB

Update 2.0.8 introduces two brand new tech tree branches to World of Warplanes—the huge and destructive American Flying Fortresses and the extremely dangerous Japanese heavy fighters to counter them. Feel the deafening roar of powerful engines and the rumble of heavy weapons.

In addition, with the release of the update, new ratings start. All active players now have the opportunity to take part in the ratings while fighting in battles and receive valuable prizes based on the rating results.

Early access to new aircraft

From November 8 till December 5, players will have the chance to add the new planes to their Hangar first by participating in the event. 

Drop by the Supply Service ("Tokens" Menu in your Hangar) and buy Operation Orders for the six new aircraft, complete the series of missions given to be able to conquer the skies in your brand new bomber or heavy fighter without the need to research and purchase them.

Remember that you can get Tokens for completing Daily missions and receiving the most valuable medals in battles. In addition, during the event there will be the opportunity to buy Tokens using gold on weekends.

New aircraft

USA bomber line

Not very maneuverable, but incredibly strong and well-protected aircraft with high survivability, loaded with a huge stock of large caliber bombs. These aircraft are perfectly suited for the rapid capture of well-protected sectors with a large number of objects. In a single pass, these machines can easily destroy a huge number of targets, and then, on their way back, complete the task and wipe out the enemy’s buildings. In air combat, the most powerful turrets with reliable overlapping sectors of fire provide excellent protection against enemy fighters—any target at close range will be full of holes in a matter of seconds.

• Boeing B-17D — USA, Tier V bomber;
• Boeing B-17G — USA, Tier VI bomber;
• Consolidated B-32 — USA, Tier VII bomber.

Japan heavy fighters line

Maneuverable heavy fighters with powerful heavy weapons, bombs, and turret gunners. Thanks to effective forward-firing and outboard weapons, these aircraft can be used to break through ground and air defense of sectors, resist bomber raids, and intercept attack aircraft. In air combat, their powerful large-caliber weapons are especially effective against large targets, but good handling and maneuverability make it possible to counter light fighters.

• Kawasaki Ki-45 Toryu — Japan, Tier V heavy fighter;
• Kawasaki Ki-102 — Japan, Tier VI heavy fighter;
• Rikugun Ki-93 — Japan, Tier VII heavy fighter.

New promotional planes added:

• Curtiss XP-36F — USA, Tier IV fighter;

Aircraft available only to developers and participants of the Supertest for testing:

• Curtiss-Wright XP-55 Ascender — USA, Tier VI fighter.
• Blohm und Voss BV P.203 — Germany, Tier VIII heavy fighter.

Aircraft balance adjustments

• Increased the overall accuracy of the high-altitude bombing of bombers. Decreased the accuracy of bombing directly at the very upper limit of the optimal altitude. 
• Updated the damage models for the following aircraft: XP-36F, P-36C, P-36, Hawk 75, P-40, P-40 M-105, Tomahawk IIb, Model 81A-1, Yak-1, Yak-1M, Yak-3, Yak-3RD, Yak-3Т, Yak-7, Yak-9, Yak-9U, Yak-15.

Personal ratings:

New ratings start with the release of the update. Each of them will last for six days from Thu 15:00 PT / 18:00 ET - Tue 19:00 PT / 22:00 ET. By taking part in battles and meeting the conditions of the rating entrance for each of the weeks, players will be placed into one of the divisions and, on Wednesdays, receive prizes according to their effectiveness.

• Week 1: National ratings. Only Tier IV+ aircraft take part in the ratings. The criterion for entering the ratings this week is the number of personal points earned by players in battles on aircraft of all nations present in the game except for France and China. The prizes for participating depending on the division will be gunners of corresponding nations with free skill points, equipment for aircraft with outboard weapons, and—for participants of the higher divisions—gold. Players can participate in all 5 national ratings simultaneously.
• Week 2: Aircraft type ratings. Only Tier IV+ aircraft take part in the ratings. The criterion for entering the ratings this week is the number of destroyed aerial and/or ground targets depending on the type of aircraft. The prizes for participating depending on the division will be ultimate and advanced equipment, rare materials for calibration and enhancement, and—for participants of the higher divisions—gold. Players can participate in all 5 aircraft type ratings simultaneously.
• Week 3: Aircraft tier ratings. All tiers of aircraft can participate. The criterion for entering the ratings this week is the number of times the player placed among the top 3 ranks in the combat group. The prizes for participating depending on the division will be Tokens, free XP, and gold. Players can participate in all 4 ratings simultaneously (Tiers I-II, III-IV, V-VII и VIII-X).

Matchmaker

• Increased time for matchmaker to attempt balancing a single flight in the battle queue with another flight.
• Increased time for matchmaker to attempt balancing a single player in the battle queue with another one before launching a battle against bots.
• Reduced the maximum total difference in player aircraft Tiers in battles that include 3vs3 players or more to 2 Tiers instead of 3. Now player aircraft in battles will be more balanced.

Interface

Hangar

• Added the number of bombs and rockets used per one launch to the description of the bomb and rocket modules.
• Improved the descriptions of bombers according to the optimal tactics of their usage: precision altitude bombing, area bombardment with the use of a large number of bombs, possibility of dive bombing. 

Other changes

• Improved a number of internal interface mechanics to reduce performance drops caused by them during battles.

 

 

Tech tree project will be updated accordingly soon.  Rather than move information around, though, which is complicated by forum constraints on post length, I am simply going to post a list of modules from the new heavy fighters, with their corresponding implications.

 

Pretty awesome update for Japan, really!  And the implication of Ki-93 being tier VII instead of VIII means further-on jet developments, which is kind of exciting.

 

Tier Aircraft	Engine	Airframe	Armament		Turret	Outboard weapon	Implications
V Ki-45	III  2xNakajima Ha-20 Otsu	V  Ki-45 Kai	III  2x7.7mm Type 89 ©	IV  20mm Ho-3 ©	IV  7.7mm Te-4	None
	III  2xNakajima Ha-25		IV  2x12.7mm Type 1 ©		V  7.92mm Type-98	VI  2x250kg
	IV  2xMitsubishi Ha-102		VI  37mm Ho-203 ©				Nakajima J1N1 heavy fighter Mitsubishi Ki-46-I/II Mitsubishi Ki-51 attack Nakajima Ki-63 Kawasaki Ki-66-Ia
VI Ki-102	V  2xMitsubishi Ha-112-II	VI  Ki-102 Ko	VI  37mm Ho-203 ©	IV  2x20mm Ho-3 ©	V  7.92mm Type-98	None	Kawasaki Ki-45-II/96 heavy fighter Mitsubishi Ki-46-III KAI Mitsubishi Ki-46-IIIb Mitsubishi Ki-46-IIIc Kawasaki Ki-100-I (conversion of Ki-61) Nakajima Ki-116 (conversion of Ki-84)
	V  2xMitsubishi Ha-112-II Ru		VI  57mm Ho-401 ©	V  2x20mm Ho-5 ©	VI  12.7mm Ho-103	VI  2x250kg	Mitsubishi Ki-46-IVb Kawasaki Ki-108 heavy fighter Kawasaki Ki-100-II
VII Ki-93	VII  2xMitsubishi Ha-211 Ru	VII  Ki-93 Ko	VI  57mm Ho-401 ©	V  2x20mm Ho-5 (W)	VI  7.92mm Type 100	None	Kawanishi J3K Kawanishi N1K5-J Aichi B7A Mitsubishi Ki-83 heavy fighter Mansyu Ki-98 heavy fighter Kugisho P1Y5 (possible parent for Ohka) Nakajima G8N2 (parent for Ohka)
	VII  2xMitsubishi Ha-214 Ru		VII  57mm Ho-402 ©	VII  2x20mm Ho-5-II (W)	VII  12.7mm Ho-103	VI  2x250kg	Kawasaki Ki-91 heavy bomber

 

Updated big-picture image page 1.

 

Nakajima Ha-20b

-- "In 1937 Nakajima acquired another infusion of Bristol engine technology by licensed production of the 840hp Mercury VIII 9-cylinder radial.  It was more compact than the original Jupiter, much more powerful than even the Kotobuki, and in fact comparable with the much larger Hikari.  The Army soon expressed an interest in the engine, designating it the Ha-20 … the engine was compact and powerful, and was specified to power a new Army Experimental Twin-engine Fighter, the subject of a revised specification issued in [12/1937].  This was a successor to an earlier specification issued in [03/1937] for this type of aircraft, to which Nakajima Ki-37, Kawasaki Ki-38, Mitsubishi Ki-39 had all been invited to tender … the Kawasaki design was considered promising and a detailed mockup was completed by [10/1937]. // The revised specification contained new performance requirements and Kawasaki was instructed to develop its Ki-38 design to meet them under the new designation Ki-45.  The first prototype had engine cowlings very similar to those of the Mercury-powered Bristol Blenheim I, with cylindrical profile and an integral exhaust collector ring around the front rim, but, compact as the engine was, the installation led to excessive drag and frequent nacelle stall.  Various alterations to reduce drag were tried in the following 3 prototypes, including tapered cowlings with rocker cover blisters, wide-chord spinners, and even annular spinners to force cooling air through their centers and out through wing slots … Unfortunately all the effort was to no avail and the Ha-20b powered Ki-45 was abandoned in mid-1939.  As soon as smaller diameter 14-cylinder radial engines became available from early 1940, the Ki-45 was converted to mount them, finally entering service in [08/1942]." (Goodwin & Starkings, 143)

-- "Despite production problems and its failure in the Ki-45, the Ha-20 was a significant engine for Nakajima … introduced Nakajima to the construction of modern, compact,  high powered radial engines, standing them in good stead for future projects.  10 examples of the Ha-20 and Ha-20b were constructed between 1937 and 1939." (Goodwin & Starkings, 143)

 

Mitsubishi Ha-214

-- "... The Ha-214 was bench tested from the end of 1943 and flight tested in the 16th and 17th Ki-67 prototypes in early 1944.  No photos have survived of these installations and depictions of them … apparently driving six bladed propellers.  Little is known about the performance of the prototype units, although it appears to have been promising as they were planned for a new, strengthened version of this aircraft, the Ki-67-II.  In addition the Army planned to use the Ha-214 for other future projects:

• [Tachikawa] Ki-74 … which were replaced with the Ha-211 before detail design had begun …
• Kawasaki Ki-89 Army Experimental Research Plane about which virtually nothing is known …
• [Kawasaki] Ki-91, a large 4-engine design with a projected range of 4,500km with a 4000kg bomb load.  Its Ha-214 installation featured ultra long chord cowlings, turbo-superchargers, and 6-blade propellers as for the G7M1; it was also pressurized and had remotely controlled gun barbettes.  Tooling for the prototype had begun, but was largely destroyed in a [02/1945] bombing raid, whereupon the project was cancelled." (Goodwin & Starkings, 114)

-- "... Whatever its virtues, the Ha-214 was not put into series production, although other factors may have had a bearing on this … probably shared some components with the sorely needed Ha-104 that had priority. // One other aircraft that did fly with Ha-214 engines was the Ki-93, powered by 2 that actually had the ultra-long chord cowlings, long spinners and 6 bladed propellers of the project models.  The Ki-93's engine cowling length is explained by the frontal cooling fan at one end, and by the shrouding of the internal cooling gills at the other.  The first prototype made a small number of test flights, the last one being terminated by a collapsed starboard undercarriage leg … A second prototype was completed and never flown as the war end stopped all further testing." (Goodwin & Starkings, 114-115)

 

Edited by J311yfish, 13 November 2018 - 09:35 AM.

[J311yfish]

pyantoryng, on 18 October 2018 - 08:29 AM, said:

Got any info on Type 3 aircraft rockets? The current carrier rework over in WoWS has their Japanese fighters sling this "Type 3 No. 1 Mk.28" thing as their rocket attacks. Maybe Japan can finally get some extra explosive power for use in WoWP?

 

The Hakuryu also get a Nakajima J5N "Tenrai" (is that thing even supposed to operate off carriers?) option as torpedo bombers but not "Wakusei" dive bombers. Could this thing be included into WoWP in some capability?

 

Found some information about air-air and air-ground rockets in a Japanese engine book.  Will update.

[J311yfish]

Heavy Fighter speculation -- tiers VIII-X

 

If there are ever to be heavy fighters at tiers VIII-X, they might resemble a continuation of the Me 262 with 50mm cannon -- as the Nakajima Ki-201 with a 57mm or 75mm development.  There is evidence in the historical narrative.

 

Me 262 A-1a/U4 -- 50mm MK 214 or 50mm BK 5 // Me 262 E-1 -- 55mm MK 114

 

Historical Narrative -- aircraft designed around large-caliber cannons:

 

Kawasaki Ki-45

-- " ... the Ki-45 KAIc ... [claimed] at least 8 Superfortresses on their first mission." (Francillon, 99)

-- "One aircraft was experimentally armed with a 75mm anti-tank cannon but the heavy calibre gun proved too much for the fairly light structure of the Toryu." (Francillon, 99)

 

Kawasaki Ki-102a

-- "A month before the maiden flight of the first Ki-102 prototype, the Koku Hombu once again indicated their desire to obtain a heavy high-altitude version of the Kawasaki series of twin-engined aircraft.  To meet this requirement, Kawasaki already had under development the Ki-108 but, as its intended pressure cabin required considerable time to be fully developed, the manufacturers were instructed ... to design a straightforward version of the Ki-102 capable of operating as a high-altitude fighter.  Six pre-production Ki-102's were modified as prototypes for the Ki-102a high-altitude fighter, the first aircraft being completed [06/1944].  Externally the Ki-102a was identical to the Ki-102b but was powered by two Mitsubishi Ha-112-II Ru engines fitted with Ru-102 turbosuperchargers which maintained their rated power of 1250hp up to 8200m, the standard Ha-112-II giving this power at 5800m.  The Ki-102a had revised armament comprising [see table above].  Following satisfactory completion of flight trials with the 6 prototypes, an additional series of 20 Ki-102a's was built by modifying a similar number of production Ki-102b airframes.  However, only 15 of these aircraft could be delivered to the Army before the end of the war, and the Ki-102a was never placed in quantity production." (Francillon, 135-136)

Kawasaki Ki-102b

-- "Designed as a heavy assault fighter." (Jackson, 223); "...replacement for Toryu used in the ground attack role." (Francillon, 134); first flown [03/1944]; placed into production 10/1944 as the Army Type 4 Assault Plane (Ki-102b); "...saw limited action during the Okinawa campaign where the Ki-102b became known as RANDY to the Allied forces.  In Japan, the Ki-102b was used in the development program of the Igo-1-B air-to-ground guided missile with which it was hoped to equip the aircraft prior to the anticipated Allied invasion of the homeland." (Francillon, 135)

-- "additional armor and petrol tank protection were designed into the Ki-102, and heavier armament ..." (Francillon, 134)

 

Rikugun Ki-93

-- "The chaotic conditions prevailing in Japan at this late state of the war delayed the flight trial program and the tests were not completed prior to the Japanese surrender." (Francillon, 244)

 

---

 

Mitsubishi Ki-109 -- stop-gap; ineffective due to low engine power

-- "[Early 1943] Mitsubishi ki-67 heavy bomber then undergoing flight trials had proved that despite its size and weight it was fast and remarkably maneuverable." (Francillon, 194).

-- "Without bombs the Ki-67 could easily make loops and vertical turns, and its controls remained smooth and effective in a dive at indicated airspeeds up to 600 km/h." (Francillon, 188)

-- "The Army were so pleased with the aircraft [Ki-67] that they were continually planning additional equipment and for a while its production appeared in jeopardy as there could be no agreement on a standard configuration." (Francillon, 189)

-- "Starting with the third Ki-109, the dorsal turret and lateral blisters were dispensed with and no bomb-bay fitted.  15 shells were carried for the 75mm Type 88 cannon which was hand-loaded by the co-pilot, and the sole defensive armament consisted of a flexible 12.7mm Type 1 machine gun in the tail turret.  The rest of the airframe and the powerplant were identical to those of the Ki-67." (Francillon, 195)

-- "Another attempt to improve climbing speed was made when a solid propellant rocket battery [RATO] was installed in the rear bomb-bay of the first prototype but this scheme was abandoned." (Francillon, 195)

-- [Dyer's book #2 is expected to have more info]

 

 

Messerschmitt Me 262 

-- "An attempt was also made to increase the Me 262's firepower along slightly more conventional lines which resulted in the marrying of the Me 262A-1a airframe to the MK 114 50mm canon.  Theoretically this was an ideal combination for the Me 262 could then attack the heavy bomber formations from far beyond the range of the defensive fire as well as having the speed to outrun the fighter escort … installation project [began 01/1945], and was completed, from preliminary design to final installation, in the brief period of 4 weeks.  The nose wheel underwent the most radical change, being modified to turn through 90-degrees and lie flat when retracted due to the size and location of the cannon feed system.  Flight testing was carried out by Karl Baur between [02/1945] and [04/1945], many hours being spent in trying to perfect the weapon.  One of the faults that became rapidly apparent was the need for an increase in the size of the fin and rudder to compensate for the yawing motion set up after each shot was fired.  Despite these problems the firing trials were quite successful and there is little doubt that the combination would have been quite effective had it reached operational status." (Merrick, 9-10)

-- "Initially 4 airframes were modified … components for another 60 were found by U.S. ground forces at Oetztal while Russian troops located a further 500 near Berlin.  Major Hergert of the Luftwaffe test pilot school was given the task of carrying out the initial combat tests but as far as can be ascertained these never eventuated, his Me 262, Werk. Nr. 170083 falling into the hands of the American ground forces that over-ran Lechfeld in [04/1945]." (Merrick, 10)

 

---

 

Nakajima Ki-201 Karyu

-- "...designed by Nakajima late in 1944 and bore a striking resemblance to the smaller Messerschmitt Me262 fighter ... scheduled to fly in [12/1945], but quantity production of the aircraft was in doubt, as the Army had selected the Rikugun Ki-202 for priority development." (Francillon, 488)

-- "...Whereas the [Kikka] only bore a superficial resemblance to the Me262, [Iwao] Shibuya's design would seek to match the Me262 as much as possible ... larger derivative of the Me262 ... bigger and heavier ... accommodations made due to limited materials and semi-skilled labor." (Dyer, 36)

-- "Although Nakajima engineered both Kikka and the Ki-201, this is little indication that there was any appreciable cross-tell of information, as Army and Navy projects were seldom coordinated.  The Mitaka plant on the west edge of Tokyo was to construct the prototype, even though this was the Engine Research Works for Nakajima.  Production was to take place at the newly established Kurosawajiri Research Works No.21 near Kitakami, In Iwate Prefecture, north-central Honshu." (Mikesh, 28)

-- design team led by Iwao Shibuya (Dyer, 34)

-- "The Ki-201 was initiated on [01/12/1945], five months after the start of the Kikka ... Structural design led by Nakajima Engineer Iwao Shibuya was to be completed by [12/1945], and the first eighteen aircraft to be delivered by [03/1946]." (Mikesh, 28)

-- "Nakajima wanted to have the final design of the Ki-201 completed by [07/1945] with more advanced testing underway by [08/1945].  The first prototype of the Karyu was to be completed and ready for flight trials by [12/1945], and in addition, a further 18 examples of the Ki-201 were to be built and delivered by [03/1946]." (Dyer, 36)

-- the naming of the Ki-201 as Karyu (Fire Dragon) is consistent with other IJA aircraft designed as bombers: Nakajima Ki-49 Donryu (Storm Dragon), Mitsubishi Ki-67 Hiryu (Flying Dragon)

 

---

 

Combined Timeline
-- 01/1945 -- installation of 50mm MK 114 on Me 262A-1a project began; Nakajima Ki-201 project begun 01/12/1945

-- 02/1945 -- installation of 50mm MK 114 on Me 262A-1a project completed; flight testing begun by Karl Baur

-- 04/1945 -- flight testing completed; captured by American ground forces at Lechfeld

-- 07/1945 -- scheduled design completion of Nakajima Ki-201

-- 08/1945 -- scheduled advanced testing of Nakajima Ki-201

-- 12/1945 -- scheduled flight trials of Nakajima Ki-201 prototype

-- 03/1946 -- scheduled delivery of 18 Nakajima Ki-201 pre-production aircraft

 

 

 

Armament -- extrapolation of cannon development:

 

Tier	Fighter	Heavy Fighter	Multirole Fighter
VII  Ki-84 // Ki-93 // A7M	...	VI  Ho-401 57mm © + V  2x20mm Ho-5 (W)
	...	VII  Ho-402 57mm © + VII  2x20mm Ho-5-II (W)
VIII  Ki-94-II // _____ // J7W1	…	Ho-402 57mm	VII  4x20mm Type 99-2 Mod 5
	...	Ho-403 57mm	VIII  4x30mm Type 2 ©
	VII  2x30mm Ho-155-II (W) + VI  2x20mm Ho-155-II (W)		IX   4x30mm Type 5 ©
IX  Ki-162-I // _____ // J7W2	VIII  2x30mm Ho-155-I ©	Ho-501 75mm	VII  4x20mm Type 99-2 Mod 5
	IX  2x30mm Ho-155-III ©	Ho-505 75mm	IX  4x30mm Type 5 ©
			__  4x30mm Type 17 ©
X  Ki-162-III // _____ // J7W3	IX  2x30mm Ho-155-III ©	Ho-505 75mm	__  4x30mm Type 17 ©

 

 

Ho-203

-- 37mm of 1943-1945; operational. (Mikesh)

-- "entirely unsuited for wing mounting; very low rate of fire; relatively useless for fighter-fighter conflict, though pressed into such use; designed/installed for bomber attack." (Mikesh)

-- "The Ho-203 was a Kawamura-designed long-recoil gun, firing a low-velocity 37x112R cartridge (taken from the 37mm Type 11 infantry gun) from a hoop-shaped 15-round 'captive belt', very similar to the 30-round magazine used with the US 37mm M4 (magazine sizes of 18 and 25 rounds were also reported). Rate of fire was only 120 rpm." (Williams & Gustin, 34)

-- developed by Japan Special Steel, produced by Japan Special Steel, Kokura and Nagoya A.A.'s. (Mikesh)

-- used on Kawasaki Ki-45, Ki-102; Ki-96, Ki-108; Kawasaki Ki-88; Mitsubishi Ki-83

-- 37x112R; 89kg, 154cm; 87cm barrel; rate of fire 120 rpm. (Williams & Gustin, 317)

Ho-401

-- 57mm of 1944(?)-1945; 57x121 R. (Mikesh)

-- "can be though of as either a scaled-up Ho-203, or automated Type 90 tank gun." (Mikesh)

-- "The Ho-401 was essentially the same design [as the Ho-203], scaled up to take a 57x121R cartridge (from a tank gun) and with a similar type of 17-round magazine, but rate of fire further reduced to 80 rpm." (Williams & Gustin, 34)

-- developed by Japan Special Steel; produced by Japan Special Steel, Nagoya A.A. (Mikesh)

-- used on Kawasaki Ki-102; proposed for use on Tachikawa Ki-94-I

-- 150kg, 204cm; 100cm barrel; rate of fire 80 rpm. (Williams & Gustin, 317)

Ho-402

-- experimental 57mm of 1943-1945; 57x577 R. (Mikesh)

-- "57x577R tank/antitank gun with recoil operated automatic loader; Rikugun Ki-93-Ia designed around this gun." (Mikesh)

-- "Experimental Japanese weapons which did not enter service included the 57mm Ho-402, a large cannon weighing 400kg and firing its 2.7kg projectiles at 700 m/s and 80 rpm …" (Williams & Gustin, 34)

-- used on Rikugun Ki-93

Ho-403

-- experimental 57mm of 1945 (Mikesh)

-- "little-known Kokura arsenal project; design stage 1945; smaller and less powerful than Ho-402; probable 57x187R." (Mikesh, 136)

 

Ho-501

-- experimental 75mm of 1943-1945 (Mikesh)

-- "75mm version of Ho-203; in development at end of war -- no testing reported." (Mikesh, 136)

-- "Experimental Japanese weapons which did not enter service included … the 75mm Ho-501 which weighed 450 kg, had a muzzle velocity of just under 500 m/s and a [rate of fire] of 80 rpm." (Williams & Gustin, 34)

Ho-502 to 504

-- "No known documentary references" (Mikesh, 136)

Ho-505

-- "75mm listed in United States Strategic Bombing Survey (USSBS) report, Japanese Air Weapons and Tactics, [01/1947], as distinct from Ho-501.  No other data.  This may be the Type 88 antiaircraft gun with a recoil-operated automatic loader." (Mikesh, 136)

Type 88

-- 75x497R

-- "… 15 shells were carried for the 75mm Type 88 cannon which was hand-loaded by the co-pilot." (Francillon, 195)

-- 480kg, 331cm; 260cm barrel; "another source gives 250kg (possibly for barrel only) plus 136.4kg for the magazine with 15 rounds." (Williams & Gustin, 317)

-- used in Mitsubishi Ki-109, an adaptation of Mitsubishi Ki-67 bomber.

 

 

Vertical progression

-- 75mm tried on Ki-45 but considered to be too heavy; 75mm Type 88 later tried on Ki-109, a development of Ki-67, but unsuccessful due to low engine power

-- development of the 57mm continued as Ho-403, to be smaller; still in progress at war end

-- development of the 75mm continued; still in progress at war end

-- VIII could be the Ki-109 with RATO as mentioned in historical narrative

-- IX and X should be the Ki-201-I and Ki-201-III

 

Horizontal agreement

-- firepower would have to be greater than J7W3's 4x30mm, such as 1x57mm © or 1x75mm and 2x30mm ©

 

---

 

German progression

 

RhB BK 5

-- 50mm

-- "... a KwK 39 tank gun with a 22-round annular autoloader fitted with a 12-round rotary magazine" (Williams & Gustin, 33)

-- 50x419R; 540kg, 434cm; barrel 304cm; rate of fire 45 rpm. (Williams & Gustin, 316)

 

Mauser MK 214A

-- 50mm

-- "An extremist approach to the armament problem was represented by a single Me 262a-1a/U4 armed with the 50mm MK 214 cannon in the nose; the long barrel easily distinguished this aircraft.  This mighty weapon fired 1.5 kg shells at a muzzle velocity of 1,100 m/s, and a hit would easily destroy a bomber.  But Major Willy Herget discovered that although the cannon worked well enough on the ground, the accelerations of flight jammed its feed mechanism.  After h is two failed attempts to fire the MK 214 cannon in combat, the weapon was abandoned.  After his capture Göring reportedly deried the Me 262 with a 50mm cannon as a monstrosity." (Williams & Gustin, 235)

-- "At the end of the war Germany was showing much interest in 50 and 55 mm caliber guns for air fighting, having determined that one hit from such a weapon could be expected to down the heaviest bomber, but none of them entered service." (Williams & Gustin, 33)

-- 50x419R; 490kg, 416cm; barrel 282cm; rate of fire 160 rpm. (Williams & Gustin, 316)

 

RhB MK 112

-- 55mm

-- "The Rheinmetall-Borsig MK 112 was an MK 108 scaled up to take a 55x175RB cartridge.  It achieved test status (trials continued in the USA after the war under designation '57 mm T78') but was too late and development was not completed.  The belt-fed, 275kg gun fired a 1,485 kg Minengeschoss shell at 600 m/s, and could achieve 300 rpm." (Williams & Gustin, 33)

-- "It was intended to install [in Do 335], as soon as this weapon became available, the 55mm MK 112, either a single one as an engine cannon or 2 under the wings.  Similar to a scaled-up MK 108, the MK 112 fired at 300 rpm, an impressive rate of fire for a gun of this caliber.  It possessed a relatively low muzzle velocity, 595 m/s, but this was higher than that of the MK 108.  It weighed 274 kg, almost twice the weight of the MK 103.  The MK 112 guaranteed, at least in theory, the destruction of a heavy bomber by a single hit.  But although 10 prototypes of this gun were completed before the end of the war, none was ever installed on the Do 335.  The Mk 112 was also planned for the Me 262 (2 in the nose with 25 rpg) and the Arado Ar 234 (2 with 50 rpg)." (Williams & Gustin, 237-238)

-- 274kg; rate of fire 300 rpm; 595 m/s. (Williams & Gustin, 237-238)

 

RhB MK 114

-- 55mm

-- "... designed around high-velocity 55x450B ammunition (2.03kg at around 1,000 m/s).  This weighed 700kg and could fire 150-180 rpm. Its competitor in the same caliber was the Mauser 214 B, which weighed 650 kg." (Williams & Gustin, 33-34)

 

RhB PaK 40

-- 75mm

-- 75x714R; barrel 320cm; 10-round magazine. (Williams & Gustin, 316)

 

RhB BK 7,5

-- 75mm

-- "... based on the PaK 40 anti-tank gun, which was semi-automatic and fitted with a 12-round rotary magazine." (Williams & Gustin, 33)

-- 75x714R; 705kg, 610cm; barrel 320cm; rate of fire 30 rpm; 12-round magazine. (Williams & Gustin, 316)

 

 

Engines -- extrapolation of engine development:

 

Tier	Fighter	Heavy Fighter	Multirole Fighter
VII  Ki-84 // Ki-93 // A7M	VII  Nakajima Ha-45-11  1800hp	VII  2x Mitsubishi Ha-211 Ru 2200hp	VII  Nakajima NK9K 1990hp
	VII  Nakajima Ha-45-12  1900hp	VII  2x Mitsubishi Ha-214 Ru 2500hp	VIII  Mitsubishi MK9A 2200hp
	VIII  Nakajima Ha-45-21  1990hp		IX  Mitsubishi MK9E 2550hp
VIII  Ki-94-II // _____ // J7W1	VIII  Nakajima Ha-145 2000hp		VIII  Mitsubishi MK9D 2300hp
	VIII  Mitsubishi Ha-211 Ru 2200hp		IX  Mitsubishi MK9F 2500hp
	IX  Nakajima Ha-219 Ru 2420hp		IX  Mitsubishi MK10B 3100hp
IX  Ki-162-I // _____ // J7W2	IX  Ne 130 1000kgf		IX  Ne 130 1000kgf
	IX  Ne 230 1390kgf		IX  Ne 230 1390kgf
	__  Ne 330 1500kgf		__  Ne 330 1500kgf
X  Ki-162-III // _____ // J7W3	__  2xNe 130b 2400kgf		__  Ne 440 1800kgf

 

Vertical progression

-- VIII would be piston-engined greater than 2500hp, or early jet engine such as Ne 20, or combination

 

Horizontal agreement

-- engines for IX and X would be consistent horizontally.

 

 

 

Edited by J311yfish, 28 November 2018 - 02:00 PM.

[J311yfish]

J311yfish, on 26 November 2018 - 04:40 AM, said:

I am not a developer, but here are some considerations related to the Mitsubishi J2M Raiden (Thunderbolt):

-- if it were to appear as a premium, there are several one-off variants that could be used in order to keep it safe for progression (Ex: J2M5 Model 33 with 2x30mm) (development notes)

-- if it were to appear for progression, it would lead to the Kawanishi N1K1-J, N1K2-J and related developments which surpassed it

-- the Japanese Army counterpart to the J2M is the Nakajima Ki-44.  If Ki-44 is used for progression, it would lead to Kayaba Katsuodori and Army development of the J8M.

-- the abundance of lightning- and thunder-themed names could make for an interesting event in which these aircraft compete each other:

 

USA

Heavy Fighters

-- Lockheed P-38F Lightning -- (V)

-- Lockheed P-38J Lightning -- (VI)

-- Lockheed XP-58 Chain Lightning -- (VIII)

Multirole Fighters

-- Republic P-47B Thunderbolt -- (VI)

-- Republic P-47D Thunderbolt -- (VII)

 

Italy

Fighters

-- Macchi C.200 Saetta (Thunderbolt) -- (V)

-- Macchi C.202 Folgore (Lightning) -- (VI)

-- Macchi C.206 -- (VII)

 

Japan

Heavy Fighters

-- Nakajima J5N1 Tenrai (Heavenly Thunder) -- (VII)

-- Aichi S1A Denko (Bolt of Light) -- (VII)

Multirole Fighters

-- Mitsubishi J2M Raiden (Thunderbolt) -- (VI)

-- Kawanishi N1K1-J Shiden (Violet Lightning) -- (VII)

-- Kawanishi N1K2-J Shiden Kai (Violet Lightning, Improved) -- (VII-VIII)

-- Kyushu J7W1 Shinden (Magnificent Lightning) -- (VIII)

-- Kyushu J7W2 Shinden Kai (Magnificent Lightning, Improved) -- (IX)

-- Kyushu J7W3 -- (X)

 

from post J2M Raiden 11/25/18

 

[J311yfish]

J311yfish, on 17 November 2018 - 07:17 PM, said:

Estimates:

 

-- Bloch MB 162 -- tier VI est. -- based on SNCASE SE.100's Gnome-Rhone 14N's engines being tier V

 

-- Mitsubishi G3M -- tier IV est. -- up to 800 kg of bombs

-- Mitsubishi G4M -- tier V est. -- up to 800 kg (G4M1); up to 1,000 kg (G4M2, G4M3)

-- Nakajima G5N -- tier VI est. -- up to 2,000 kg normal; 4,000 kg max

-- Mitsubishi G7M Taizan -- tier VI est.

-- Kugisho P1Y -- tier VII est -- up to 1,000 kg of bombs (P1Y1, P1Y2); up to 1,600 kg of bombs (P1Y3)

-- Nakajima G8N -- tier VII est. -- 4x250 kg normal; 2x2,000 kg max -- Nakajima Homare engine is in game for Nakajima Ki-84 tier VII

-- Nakajima G10N -- tier VIII est. -- up to 20,000 kg of bombs short range; up to 5,000 kg of bombs long range (USA)

 

If IJN bombers were saved for progression, though, they might be granted use of the Kugisho Ohka and Kawanishi Baika.

 

IJA on the other hand might be granted use of radio-controlled missiles:

 

-- Kawasaki Ki-48 -- tier IV est -- up to 300 kg of bombs normal; 400 kg max

-- Kawasaki Ki-48-II -- tier V est -- up to 400 kg of bombs normal; 800 kg max

-- Nakajima Ki-49 -- tier V est. -- up to 750 kg of bombs normal; 1,000 kg max

-- Mitsubishi Ki-67 -- tier VII est. -- up to 500 kg of bombs normal; 800 kg max

-- Mitsubishi Ki-67-II -- tier VII est.

-- Tachikawa Ki-74 -- tier VII est. -- up to 1,000 kg of bombs -- engines in game for Rikugun Ki-93 tier VII

-- Tachikawa Ki-74-II -- tier VII est. -- up to 2,000 kg of bombs

-- Kawasaki Ki-91 -- tier VIII est. -- up to 4,000 kg of bombs

 

from a post about bombers 11/17/18