ChezDaJez
Posts: 3436
Joined: 11/12/2004 From: Chehalis, WA Status: offline
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quote:
You are right . I was under the impression that the A6M3 and the A6M3a were the same aircraft with the later being the carrier capable version. Begs the question why produce the A6M3 at all. sspahr is correct. The A6M3 was basically a A6M21 with the folding wingtips removed and a new version of the Sakae 21 engine with 1130hp installed. The engine had twin superchargers giving it better high altitude performance. Removal of the wingtips was an effort to improve its roll rate but fuel was reduced from 156 gallons to 134 gallons as a result. The roll improvement was minimal and the reduction in fuel made it unsuitable for long range bomber escort. Only 343 were built. The A6M3a had the original wings tips reinstalled and fuel capacity returned to the original 156 gallons but kept the new engine. Chez
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Ret Navy AWCS (1972-1998) VP-5, Jacksonville, Fl 1973-78 ASW Ops Center, Rota, Spain 1978-81 VP-40, Mt View, Ca 1981-87 Patrol Wing 10, Mt View, CA 1987-90 ASW Ops Center, Adak, Ak 1990-92 NRD Seattle 1992-96 VP-46, Whidbey Isl, Wa 1996-98
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