A6M2 Performance.

[AirFlyer]

An article on the A6M2's performance, interesting to see that the A6M2's top speed might of actually been 345 M.P.H.

http://www.j-aircraft.com/research/rdunn/zeroperformance/zero_performance.htm

ZERO-SEN Model 21 Performance: Unraveling Conflicting Data

INTRODUCTION

The Mitsubishi Type Zero Carrier Fighter Model 21 was the fighter that opened the war in the Pacific over Hawaii and the Philippines . It was the primary fighter used by the Japanese navy from the beginning of the war until early 1943 and remained in front line service until well into 1944. As important as this fighter was in the Pacific air war there is little agreement in published sources about some aspects of its performance. In particular, the aircraft's maximum speed is given by different post-war publications in a range from 316 mph to 345 mph. This disparity of nearly 30 m.p.h. is sufficiently broad that at the lower end the aircraft might be deemed relatively slow by 1942 fighter standards and at the upper end it might be considered relatively fast and definitely competitive. This article attempts to unravel conflicting data and provide a likely, if not definitive, answer to the question of the Zero's maximum speed.

[Delirium]

I don't see any mention of the octane of fuel involved in the article.

That can make for a huge difference in overall top speed.

[AirFlyer]

I don't see any mention of the octane of fuel involved in the article.

That can make for a huge difference in overall top speed.

True but it doesn't really de-base the theory of it being able to do 345mph. Considering that the article compares a lot of data from A6M2's that the Japanese were using, which mean with whatever octane fuel they were using, it was capable of getting the A6M2 to 345mph.

[Delirium]

Considering that the article compares a lot of data from A6M2's that the Japanese were using, which mean with whatever octane fuel they were using, it was capable of getting the A6M2 to 345mph.

By that standard, alot of planes were rated lower in the field than they were while they were being tested. My P38 was one of those unfortunate aircraft...

[Seagoon]

True story.. Visited the Pacific Aviation Museum in Oahu last year where they have one of the few A6M2s still in existence. The info card in front of it listed the top speed as.... 390 MPH! I audibly said to my wife "390 Miles Per Hour? Well maybe if you removed the wings and dropped it from a Betty..." One of the museum guys walked over and sheepishly put his hand over the number and said "yeah, we need to change that."

Anyway it occurs to me that given how stiff the control surfaces on the Zero become once you are above 320, at 345 the plane would be an unbending beast. Not very useful to be able to fly that fast if you can't change your attitude once you get there. No?

- SEAGOON

[AirFlyer]

345 isn't that bad, you might have to cut throttle on a beginning merge but I don't think it's an excuse to keep our A6M2 slower then it should be.

[Angus]

No way it was that fast.
At best in a shallow dive.
VNE perhaps?

[2bighorn]

I don't see any mention of the octane of fuel involved in the article.

Not relevant really. It is noted at what MAP settings they were tested.

That can make for a huge difference in overall top speed.

Japanese engines were designed to run on fuel they had (87-92 octane). If A6M could run at 250 mm HG on 87 octane and reach certain speed, then at the same MAP 150 avgas wouldn't change much.

[Angus]

AFAIK, the a6m would have wing problems at that speed (skin), so as a max in level flight, it would be rather odd.
What would the HP be anyway?

[Bubbajj]

zekefights end up at 150mph and slower anyways. The only advantage to a few more MPH is getting around the map a bit quicker.

[2bighorn]

AFAIK, the a6m would have wing problems at that speed (skin), so as a max in level flight, it would be rather odd.

Skin was good for 380+mph. Model 11 could reach over 330mph in level flight. Model 21 was further improved (streamlined, heavier wing though), so it's possible it reached similar speeds.

What would the HP be anyway?

For?

[AirFlyer]

Besides, the 345mph is only reached in overboost(wep), so it's not like it would always be that fast.

[busa]

The maximum speed of A6M2b Zero Mk.1 Mod.2 (Mod.21) is 331mph.
The maximum speed of A6M2a Zero Mk.1 Mod.1 (Mod.11) is 316mph.

Two airplanes were the same air frames.
However, the thickness of outer skin was different.
The main wings of A6M2a were twisted and its drag was large.

The maximum speed of Zero Mk.2 series is 335-351mph.

They were measured in military power.

However, WEP was given to A6M5 series in October, 1945.
But the maximum speed is not indicated in the performance table.
If WEP is given to A6M5 in AH, I will calculate it for Pyro.

Thank you for reading my poor English.

[Anaxogoras]

True story.. Visited the Pacific Aviation Museum in Oahu last year where they have one of the few A6M2s still in existence. The info card in front of it listed the top speed as.... 390 MPH! I audibly said to my wife "390 Miles Per Hour? Well maybe if you removed the wings and dropped it from a Betty..." One of the museum guys walked over and sheepishly put his hand over the number and said "yeah, we need to change that."

- SEAGOON

Having worked at a place comparable to a museum (big public aquarium), I promise you that the sign still says 390mph.  Exhibit signage tends to be run by committees that never accomplish anything except for making things worse.  For example, we had a sign that made an outright false claim about the leopard shark, and it took 6 months to have it changed after I pointed it out.   They even had a model shark jaw with the teeth in backwards and wouldn't take my word for until they asked the guy with the phd, and all the while 9 year olds were asking "aren't those teeth backwards?".

[Cajunn]

I've always understood that the Zero and the F4F had the same top speed of 331 mph, don't remember where I seen or read that but I do remember it clearly because of them being the same.