F1M2 "Pete", Japanese Reconnaissance Floatplane (original) (raw)
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The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia | |
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Mitsubishi F1M2 "Pete"
| Crew | 2 in tandem open cockpit |
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| Dimensions | 36'1"by 31'2" by 13'1" 11.00m by 9.50m by 3.99m |
| Weight | 4251-5622 lbs 1928-2550 kg |
| Wing area | 318 square feet 29.5 square meters |
| Maximum speed | 230 mph at 11,290 feet 370 km/h at 3440 meters |
| Climb rate | 28 feet per second 8.5 meters per second |
| Ceiling | 30,970 feet 9440 meters |
| Power plant | One 875 hp (652 kW) Mitsubishi Zuisei 13 14-cylinder air-cooled radial engine driving a three-blade metal propeller. |
| Armament | Two forward-firing 7.7mm Type 97 machine guns One flexible rear-firing 7.7mm Type 92 machine gun |
| External stores | Two 60kg (132 lb) bombs |
| Range | 460 miles 740 km |
| Fuel | 54 gallons 204 liters |
| Production | A total of 1118 F1Ms were built. Mitsubishi Jukogyo K.K., Nagoya: 524 F1M2 Dai-Nijuichi Kaigun Kokusho, Sasebo: 590 F1M2 |
| Variants | The F1M1 was produced only in protype.A small number were converted to the F1M2-K advanced trainer. |
"Pete" was the only short-range observation float plane accepted for full production by the Japanese Navy, and it was standard on all carriers and battleships. It also operated from shore bases. Because of its outstanding maneuverability, it was occasionally operated as a fighter and dive-bomber in support ofamphibious operations, when no enemy fighter opposition was anticipated.
The design dated to late 1934, when the Navy issued a specification for a replacement for the E8N1 "Dave" to Aichi, Kawanishi, and Mitsubishi. The Mitsubishi design team, led by Hattori Joji, completed a prototype in June 1936. The design was very clean and outperformed the Aichi contender, but had poor stability. This was corrected in the F1M2, which was ordered into production by the Navy.
References
Francillon (1979)
Williams and Gustin (2003)
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