Just recently I have became aware of just how common the the #80 bombs were for the Japanese, their use from kates and later Jills seams fairly common, and indead a prefered load out for land atack sorties, before I thought it was quiet rare and only if ever used at Pearl, while this is true only for the special AP varient of the # 80 bomb type, their was more than one type of # 80 bomb.
Some Sources and Quotes from various forums:
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Japanese CV loads out's an example, I have others as well, but they follow the same patern:
Shokaku Class
(before 7/42)
45 - Type 91 aerial torpedoes
60 - 800kg bombs
60 - 500kg bombs
312 - 250kg bombs
528 - 60kg bombs
48 - 30kg bombs
Aviation gas - 496 tons
Aircraft handling equipment - 1,700 tons
Shokaku ag ordnance was changed according to Kampon Memo No. 1-27111 dated 20 July 1942. Forward bomb hold CE-1 /large caliber bombs/ was modified, cells for 800kg bombs were removed and replaced with 250kg bomb cells.
(after 7/42)
45 - Type 91 mod.6 aerial torpedoes + 12 more in aft hangar
60 - 500kg bombs
442 - 250kg bombs
528 - 60kg bombs
48 - 30kg bombs
Aviation gas - 496 tons
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Taiho Class
(this is “official” ordnance on trials, according to Tateo Kinoichi’s research 800kg bombs weren't Taiho standard load, free space in aft hangar hold was used for 16 additional torpedoes, not much cause torps were sufficiently longer and it was problematic to get them out. In overall Taiho had impressive amount of ammo for a/g, only Shinano carried more stuff and with her smaller air group she had best autonomics among IJN carriers.)
45 - Type 91 mod.6 torpedoes
90 - 800kg bombs (or 16 torpedoes more)
468 - 250kg bombs
468 - 60kg bombs
144 - 30kg bombs
Aviation gas - 614 tons
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Unryu Class
36 - Type 91 mod.6 torpedoes
72 - 800kg bombs
240 - 250kg bombs
360 - 60kg bombs
144 - 30kg bombs
Aviation gas - 412 tons
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Lundstrum sent this to me:
"Regarding the 800-kg bombs, that was the standard load for the B5N2 Kates when attacking land targets"
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The naval Historical sight also shows that Kates were ordered to arm with # 80 bombs for the atack on Midway Island, and that they were used in atacks aganst shore targets in the Indian Ocean raides.
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Somthing slightly off topic:
Do you have access to a copy of AICHI D3A1/2 VAL, by Peter C. Smith, published in the UK by The Crowood Press, 1999
ISBN 1 86126 278 7?
States that both D3A1/D3A2 had provision for five bomb racks, one under fuselage (for 250kg bomb) and two under each wing (for 60kg bomb); but includes table that states max bomb load for both was 310kg/783lb.
Also states that a 500kg bomb could be carried if the rear gunner was left out and very rarely done.
Only two photos showing mixed bomb load:
A photo of a Val carrying three bombs, caption: "A 'Val' bombed-up with under-wing bomb load in place poses for the camera on a shore base in Japan. Author's collection from D3A Type 99 Carrier-Borne Dive-Bomber Manual"
Photo showing bomb under fuselage and bomb under wing is captioned: "An Aichi 'Val' dive-bomber taking off from an airstrip on a south-west Pacific island during the Rabaul campaign, 1943. Koujin-sha"
