A6M3 Model 32

[STEELE]

Well, it rolls nice (up to about 200 or so), and the flaps are great.
I was in a A6M5 today, co-E with a A6M3, couldnt out dive, accel. away, or zoom climb away from the M3.  I'd say it's pretty darn powerful, but I expected the increased roll rate to be effective past 200 or so.

[Slade]

Dives to 495 mph.  At 500 mph wings parts start coming off.

NOE max speed 270 mph.  Nice nose over view.

[STEELE]

Wingloading: 21.3 lb per sq. ft.
Powerloading: 5.42 lb/hp
 Anyone know the wingloading and power loading for the B239?


Edit: here is the full specs. on the Model 32 Hamp
http://rwebs.net/avhistory/history/Zeke32.htm

[Squire]

NOE max speed 270 mph

Try again without the drop tank or bomb. It does 291 TAS at 100 feet.

Early impressions on the A6M3 (all comparisons with 100 fuel no DT): 20 mph TAS faster than an A6M2 at S.L. TAS 290 to 269 (very nice). Climbs @ 650 fpm better initially, @ 3400 fpm to @ 2750 fpm, has very close acceleration to the A6M5, 0-200 at @ 40 seconds for both a/c. 100 rpg for the cannon to the A6M2s 60 rpg. Rolls better. Only weighs 100 lbs more than an A6M2. Fuel capacity is only 16 gallons less internal to the A6M2. Its reduced range is more a function of the more powerfull engine it carried.

For just overall handling its actualy the nicer of the three versions imho and for a 1942 a/c a definite improvement over the A6M2. I can see why it would not have been as much of an improvement that the IJN woud have wanted fighting in the Solomons in 1942-43 they really needed the A6M5 to have arrived a year earlier than it did, mid 1942 as opposed to mid 1943.

[mausil]

I did some sorties with it and found it to be much more controlable at high speeds than any of the others
The best of the zekes imo

[Debrody]

I did a sustained turn test with it, on the deck, with fuel for 20 mins.
   Does a full circle in 13.6-8 seconds without flaps and around 16.0 with full flaps. Its pretty much between the a6m2 and the a6m5, a bit closer to the later model, but it depends on pilot, the difference is as little.
Turns better than the brewster, rolls really well around 200mph, loses a little bit at real slow speeds but still remain nicely controllable even with flaps out. Its a huge improvement over the a6m2. Its easy to perform the hammerhead reversal with this ride, and it can do the tailslide too. Remains controllable til 400mph without adjusting the trims. The climb performance is excellent, around 3400 ft/min on the deck. What you have to watch: unlike the a6m2, it loses a lot from its turn rate at real low speeds if you dont use the flaps.
   I would take this ride against any other zeek, brew or hurricane.

[mausil]

same here

[Volron]

I rarely fly the 190 A-5 so, for those of you who do, how does the A6M3 stack up against it in the roll?

I've only upped it a couple of times, but so far I am enjoying it.  Since my 2 weeks of vacation come up at the end of my current work week, I will be able to up it a bit.   They really did a fantastic job redoing the Zero's, and the A6M3...*drools*

[Karnak]

190 rolls very much faster.