FP35 IJN PLANNED INTERCEPTOR MITSUBISHI A7M2 'REPPU' SAM

The Mitsubishi A7M was a Japanese low-wing, prototype, on-board fighter from the Second World War. The drive was provided by a single engine Mitsubishi MK9A with a power of 2,200 hp. The prototype flight took place in May 1944 - the machine never entered mass production. The on-board armament was to consist of four 20mm Type 99 cannons or two 20mm Type 99 cannons and two Type 3 machine guns. The machine would also be able to carry a bomb load of up to 120 kilograms. Work on the Mitsubishi A7M began in 1940, and the new aircraft was to be the successor to the very successful A6M Zero fighter. Initially, however, work on the A7M had a very low priority and it was not until 1942 that it started at full speed on the initiative of both the Mitsubishi company and the Japanese Navy command. However, the work on the plane began to drag out again due to problems with choosing the right power unit. Finally, the first prototype (designation: A7M1) was not ready until mid-1944. The plane, despite its great maneuverability, had performance very similar to that of the A6M Zero, and the climb time was even worse! This led to the change of the power unit to the engine Mitsubishi MK9A The prototype marked in this way (designation: A7M2) took off in October 1944. This aircraft already had very good performance, allowing it to engage in equal combat with the F6F Hellcat or F4U Corsair machines. Later, at Mitsubishi plants, an even more perfect version of the aircraft, designated A7M3, was developed. However, the strategic bombing of Japanese cities, the shortage of raw materials needed to produce new aircraft, as well as problems with the production of engines prevented the implementation of serial production. Mitsubishi A7M. It is assumed that 9-10 prototypes were built by the end of the war.