Mitsubishi 3MT5
| 3MT5 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Role | Bomber |
| National origin | Japan |
| Manufacturer | Mitsubishi |
| First flight | 19 October 1932 |
| Primary user | Imperial Japanese Navy |
| Number built | 11 |
TheMitsubishi 3MT5was aJapanesebomberof the 1930s. It was a twin-enginedbiplanethat was intended to operate from Japaneseaircraft carriers,but proved to be unsuitable for carrier use, and the eleven aircraft built were instead used as land-based trainers.
Design and development
[edit]In 1929, theImperial Japanese Navy Air Servicedeveloped a requirement for a large twin-engined carrier-basedtorpedo-bomber,with an order being placed withMitsubishiin January 1930. Design of the new aircraft has entrusted to a team led by the British engineer G. E. Petty. The design process was prolonged, as the Navy kept changing their requirements, and the first of eleven prototypes, designated 3MT5 by Mitsubishi and the7-ShiTwin-engine Carrier Aircraftby the Navy, was completed in September 1932. The new torpedo bomber was atwo-baybiplanewithfolding wings,and was of mixed construction, with a wood and metal fuselage and a metal wing structure with fabric covering. It had a fixedtailwheel undercarriage,[1]and was powered by two Mitsubishi A4radial engines(later developed into theMitsubishi Kinsei[2]) driving two-bladed propellers.[3]
The first prototype made its maiden flight on 19 October 1932, with a further three prototypes (all designated3MT5Aby Mitsubishi) being completed in 1932. The remaining five prototypes (3MT5) were completed in 1933 incorporating modifications based on initial testing, with atwin tailreplacing the single fin and rudder of the first four aircraft, three-bay wings and four-bladed propellers being fitted. Despite these changes, the aircraft was difficult to control, and suffered from severe vibration, which on one test flight in March 1934, resulted in all fouraileronsbeing torn off the wings of one of the prototypes, which was safely landed. These problems could not be resolved, and the lengthy development meant that the type was now obsolete, so no production followed.[3]
There is sometimes confusion between this aircraft and the 'Mitsubishi Navy 8-shi Experimental Attack Bomber' (also designatedMitsubishi G1M), which was a monoplane, two entirely different aircraft.
Operational history
[edit]The 3MT5 was not considered suitable for use aboard aircraft carriers, and was therefore relegated to land-based operations as theNavy Type 93 Land-Based Attack Aircraft.Unfit for combat, it was mainly used as a trainer with theTateyamaKōkūtaifor more modern twin-engined aircraft.[3]
Designations
[edit]The Mitsubishi 3MT5 was variously designated:-
- Mitsubishi 3MT5
- Mitsubishi 3MT5A
- Mitsubishi Navy 7-shi Experimental Carrier Attack Bomber
- Mitsubishi Navy Type 93 Land Attack Bomber
- Mitsubishi G1M (also used for the (8-shi Experimental Attack Bomber))
Specifications (3MT5)
[edit]Data fromJapanese Aircraft 1910–1941[3]
General characteristics
- Crew:3–5
- Length:12.05 m (39 ft 6 in)
- Wingspan:20.70 m (67 ft 11 in)
- Height:4.70 m (15 ft 5 in)
- Wing area:102.3 m2(1,101 sq ft)
- Empty weight:3,940 kg (8,686 lb)
- Gross weight:6,400 kg (14,110 lb)
- Powerplant:2 ×Mitsubishi A414-cylinder two-rowradial engine,600 kW (800 hp) each
- Propellers:4-bladed wooden
Performance
- Maximum speed:235 km/h (146 mph, 127 kn)
- Range:2,306 km (1,433 mi, 1,245 nmi) (reconnaissance)
- Combat range:991 km (616 mi, 535 nmi)
- Time to altitude:3,000 m (9,840 ft) in 13 min
Armament
- Guns:2× flexibly mounted 7.7 mm machine guns in nose and 1× in dorsal position
- Bombs:1,000 kg (2,200 lb) bombs or one 800 kg (1760 lb) torpedo
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- Mikesh, Robert and Shorzoe Abe.Japanese Aircraft 1910–1941.London:Putnam, 1990.ISBN0-85177-840-2.
- Sunburst: The Rise of Japanese Naval Air Power, 1909-1941. By Mark R. Peattie
External links
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