About the designations method of IJNAF
"About kai"
"kai" is named temporarily at a prototype-plane modification program.
Example.
In the case of J2M (Raiden)
Prototype plane. Type14 prototype local fighter (Jyuuyonsi-kyokuti-sentouki J2M1).
The 1st modification. Modified Type14 prototype local fighter (Jyuuyonsi-kyokuti-sentouki-kai J2M2).
And it is named The prototype Raiden. (Sisei-Raiden J2M2) .
The 2nd modification. Prototype Raiden-kai (Sisei-raiden-kai J2M3).
By the way, code name A6M5b etc. is not offucial names.
It is called omitted sign.
The example of offucial names.
In the case of a Zero Fighter (A6M5b)
Offucial name. Type Zero carrier-borne-fighter Model Five-Two Otu.
The meaning. TypeZero Carrier-borne-fighter Mk2-Mod.5-Weapon variant B
Notes.
Weapon variant is the classification added on October 9, 1944.
(Since the weapons which A6M5 carry increased in number, it was displayed) .
(And it was also for indicating what bomb it can carry) .
That is, the airframes manufactured before this time do not have this classification.
For example, A6M5b was A6M5.
The kind of A6M in the Pacific War is introduced.
1) Type Zero Mk1 (Mod.2). A6M2b.
2) Type Zero Mk2. A6M3. （Cliped wing）
Type Zero Mk2-Mod.2 (Long wing). A6M3&A6M3b.
3) Type Zero Mk2-Mod.2-kai (Round Cliped). A6M5.
Type Zero Mk2-Mod.5. A6M5, A6M5a&A6M5b.
4) (Type Zero Mk3) . But Mk2 Weapon variant C was manufactured owing to a certain accident.
Type Zero Mk2-Mod.5(6)-Weapon variant C. A6M5c. A6M6c.
Type Zero Mk2-Mod6. A6M7.
Original A6M5c was a small number of production.
Almost all A6M5c was the same structure as A6M7.
A6M5c is not clear in the distinction with A6M7 in taxonomy.
Thank you for reading my poor English.
