The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia
Mitsubishi F1M2 "Pete"
Dimensions
36'1"by 31'2" by 13'1"Weight
4251-5622 lbsMaximum speed
230 mph at 11,290 feetClimb rate
28 feet per secondCeiling
30,970 feetArmament
Two forward-firing 7.7mm Type 97 machine gunsExternal stores
Two 60kg (132 lb) bombsRange
460 miles 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 of
amphibious
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)
The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia © 2007, 2009, 2014 by Kent G. Budge. Index
