herwin -> RE: An error in IJN CV capacities? (11/15/2010 8:22:52 PM)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Local Yokel I've just run a 1:76 scale rule over my 1:72 plans of a Model 21 Zero and D3A1 and D3A2 variants of the Type 99. It would tax my tired brain too much to convert the result to an accurate dimension, but, interestingly, the D3A2 with tips folded appears to have the same span as the Model 21, also with tips folded. This must be coincidental because the D3A1 wing appears to be hinged further outboard, thus giving it a slightly larger span with tips folded than the other two aircraft mentioned. At first I thought the coincidence of spans might have been dictated by something like size of lift well, but since the earlier D3A1 has a bigger span with tips folded and therefore requires a bigger well I don't think that can be the case. The real dimensional difference lies in the length: both variants of D3A are at or close to 10.2 metres in length, whilst the Model 21 comes in appreciably smaller at 9.05 metres. I estimate the D3A1 to have a span of about 12.4 metres between wingtip hinge points, so it's a bit bigger (but not that much) than the Zero in all plan axes. Perhaps Parshall and Tully make too much of it being a space hog. Well, the analysis seems to hold up--750 square feet for a Japanese carrier aircraft, with an added 10-20% more Zeros if you squeeze them in. 64x750 square feet of aircraft can live in the Hiryu's hangar. However, the Kaga is quoted at 108,240 square feet and 5,568 square feet, and the Akagi with 93,000 square feet for the upper and middle level hangars combined, and 8,515 square feet for the lower level hangar. Subtract 18000 square feet from the Kaga's upper hangars, and you get 90000 square feet for planes--120 or so! The Akagi comes in at 100! I don't trust those figures... Suppose the quoted figures don't include elevators, and not all the area is usable. Does it work then?
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