Author Topic: Japanese definitions (Read 573 times)

Loddar · « **on:** August 08, 2005, 06:44:10 AM »

What different types of japanese were
used for fighters (and bombers) ?

I found these

Ko = ?a
Otsu = ?b
Hei = ?c

What is "KAI" standing for ?
Are there any other definitions ?

Thanks for help

Karnak · « **Reply #1 on:** August 08, 2005, 10:27:10 AM »

Ko is "a"
Otsu is "b"

I think Hei is "c" and Tei is "d".

There is no KAI in Japanese designations. Note that the Ki-61 in AH is now correctly labeled a Ki-61-I-Tei.

The Ki-84 should be a Ki-84-I-Ko.

The Navy was entirely different.

A = Carrier borne fighter
6 = Sixth such to enter service
M = Mitsubishi
5 = Fifth major version of said fighter
b = third minor version of said fighter

D = Carrier dive bomber
3 = Third such to enter service
A = Aichi
1 = First major version of said aircraft

N = Float plane fighter
1 = First such to enter service
K = Kawanishi
2 = Second major version
-J = Modified to be a Land based interceptor.

First letter meanings:

A = Carrier fighter
B = Carrier bomber
D = Dive bomber
G = Land based bomber
H = Flying boat
J = Land based interceptor
N = Float plane fighter

and many others that I don't recall off the top of my head.

Second letter companies:

A = Aichi
K = Kawanishi
M = Mitsubishi
N = Nakajima
X = Yokosuka, IIRC

and many others that I don't recall off the top of my head.

Loddar · « **Reply #2 on:** August 08, 2005, 10:41:36 AM »

Thank you Karnak

Found the "KAI" is a modified version
of the existing version with changes
in engine or gun model.

Ryusei · « **Reply #3 on:** August 09, 2005, 06:25:46 AM »

Just a small additionAand what Loddar mentioned is absolutely correct.

"Kai" is an abbrebiation of a word "Kaizo" = Modified (adj), or modification (n).

i.e. N1K2-J "Shiden-Kai" is a modified variant of N1K1-J of Shiden.

Note the word "Kai" is used as name of the aircraft (like Mustang for P-51) rather than its official production codes.

regards,

Ryusei

Kweassa · « **Reply #4 on:** August 09, 2005, 07:54:28 AM »

Just for the fun of it...

"Kou", "Otsu", "Hei", "Tei"... are chinese characters originally used to designate the celestial system in the ancient lunar calender. In Chinese it is pronounced "Chia", "Ii", "Bing", "Cheng", and in Korean, "Gab", "Eul", "Byung", "Jung"...

After a while, Asian people began using these letters when giving order to a certain sequence of things... so it roughly corresponds to the Western method of designation - "Alpha.. Bravo... Charlie.. Delta.." or "Anton.. Bertha.. Cesar.. Dora..." etc etc.. When Westerners go A, B, C, D.... Japanese go Kou, Otsu, Hei, Tei.. etc etc..

Rolex · « **Reply #5 on:** August 09, 2005, 09:46:57 AM »

I think it means it's time for us to have another cold beer, Ryusei-san!! I'll be in Tokyo Friday night through Saturday...

Ryusei · « **Reply #6 on:** August 09, 2005, 09:49:14 AM »

Sounds great!
I`ll give you a call !

Ryusei:aok

Loddar · « **Reply #7 on:** August 09, 2005, 05:21:01 PM »

Thank you all, now i understand a little
of the japanese definitions of their planes.

All of that it was a little confusion. Thank
you for help.

FDutchmn · « **Reply #8 on:** August 09, 2005, 07:31:48 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Rolex
I think it means it's time for us to have another cold beer, Ryusei-san!! I'll be in Tokyo Friday night through Saturday...

u-... Kanto-jin wa ii no-. Ome-ra Kansai ni konai no ka?

(u guys in Kanto area... sheesh, any of you coming down to Kansai?)