1/72 Mitsubishi A6M3 Zero Fighter Type 22/32
$12.00
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■Product Description
The Zero fighter, which crowned the early stages of the war with victories,
was a superb fighter aircraft that achieved the best possible flight performance with an engine of less than 1000 horsepower.
Because it was such an excellent aircraft, both the manufacturer and the military sought something even better,
and development of the A6M3 model, including an engine change, began in early 1941, a year before the start of the Pacific War.
The main focus of the development was on improving high-altitude performance by changing the engine for the manufacturer,
and on improving roll rate and speed performance by eliminating the wing folding mechanism for the military,
as well as improving productivity and maintainability.
An improved Sakae 21 engine with a single-stage, two-speed supercharger was prepared,
and the propeller was also equipped with a Hamilton constant-speed propeller with a diameter 15 cm larger to absorb the increased horsepower.
While the engine's performance improved, its weight increased, resulting in significant modifications to the mounting points and fuselage. As a result, the fuselage was shortened compared to the Zero Fighter Type 21.
The cowling was also redesigned to improve aerodynamic refinement, and the carburetor intake was moved from bottom to top.
The wingtips were reshaped into a square shape, shortening the fuselage by a total of 1 meter.
The 20mm cannons fixed to the wings were also replaced with the Type 99 Model 2 fixed guns, which had an increased ammunition capacity.
The modified A6M3 made its maiden flight on July 14, 1941, and after numerous tests, it was adopted by the Navy as the Zero Fighter Model 32 and deployed to the Solomon Islands and the Southwest Pacific, where it saw action.
While these modifications improved speed and roll ratio,
horizontal maneuverability and the range performance that was a characteristic of the Zero Fighter were significantly reduced.
Although it wasn't much of a problem when it first entered service,
when the long-range invasion from Rabaul to Guadalcanal began,
its lack of range became a major issue.
Therefore, a version with improved range was created, with the wingspan restored to 12m
and additional fuel tanks added inside the outer wings,
which was adopted on January 29, 1943, as the Zero Model 2 Carrier Fighter Type 22.
The Type 22 had a longer range than the Type 32,
and while the Type 32 was subsequently assigned to training units despite being a newer model,
the Type 22 played a leading role in the air battles in the Solomon Islands.
In addition, Type 22A and Type 32A versions were also produced, in which the armament inside the wings was replaced with the long-barreled Type 99 Model 2 Fixed Gun Type 3.
《Data》Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero Fighter Type 22
Crew: 1
Wingspan: 12.00m
Length: 9.060m
Height: 3.570m
Maximum speed: 540.8km/h (6,000m)
Engine: Sakae Type 21 (Takeoff power 1,130hp)
Armament: 7.7mm machine gun x 2, 20mm cannon x 2
《Data》Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero Fighter Type 32
Crew: 1
Wingspan: 11.00m
Length: 9.060m
Height: 3.570m
Maximum speed: 544.5km/h (6,000m)
Engine: Sakae 21 (Takeoff power 1,130hp)
Armament: 7.7mm machine gun x 2, 20mm autocannon x 2
■Product Specifications
Manufacturer: Hasegawa
Item No: D26
Scale: 1/72
JAN: 4967834014565
1/72 Mitsubishi A6M3 Zero Fighter Type 22/32
$12.00
The Zero fighter, which crowned the early stages of the war with victories,
was a superb fighter aircraft that achieved the best possible flight performance with an engine of less than 1000 horsepower.
Because it was such an excellent aircraft, both the manufacturer and the military sought something even better,
and development of the A6M3 model, including an engine change, began in early 1941, a year before the start of the Pacific War.
The main focus of the development was on improving high-altitude performance by changing the engine for the manufacturer,
and on improving roll rate and speed performance by eliminating the wing folding mechanism for the military,
as well as improving productivity and maintainability.
An improved Sakae 21 engine with a single-stage, two-speed supercharger was prepared,
and the propeller was also equipped with a Hamilton constant-speed propeller with a diameter 15 cm larger to absorb the increased horsepower.
While the engine's performance improved, its weight increased, resulting in significant modifications to the mounting points and fuselage. As a result, the fuselage was shortened compared to the Zero Fighter Type 21.
The cowling was also redesigned to improve aerodynamic refinement, and the carburetor intake was moved from bottom to top.
The wingtips were reshaped into a square shape, shortening the fuselage by a total of 1 meter.
The 20mm cannons fixed to the wings were also replaced with the Type 99 Model 2 fixed guns, which had an increased ammunition capacity.
The modified A6M3 made its maiden flight on July 14, 1941, and after numerous tests, it was adopted by the Navy as the Zero Fighter Model 32 and deployed to the Solomon Islands and the Southwest Pacific, where it saw action.
While these modifications improved speed and roll ratio,
horizontal maneuverability and the range performance that was a characteristic of the Zero Fighter were significantly reduced.
Although it wasn't much of a problem when it first entered service,
when the long-range invasion from Rabaul to Guadalcanal began,
its lack of range became a major issue.
Therefore, a version with improved range was created, with the wingspan restored to 12m
and additional fuel tanks added inside the outer wings,
which was adopted on January 29, 1943, as the Zero Model 2 Carrier Fighter Type 22.
The Type 22 had a longer range than the Type 32,
and while the Type 32 was subsequently assigned to training units despite being a newer model,
the Type 22 played a leading role in the air battles in the Solomon Islands.
In addition, Type 22A and Type 32A versions were also produced, in which the armament inside the wings was replaced with the long-barreled Type 99 Model 2 Fixed Gun Type 3.
《Data》Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero Fighter Type 22
Crew: 1
Wingspan: 12.00m
Length: 9.060m
Height: 3.570m
Maximum speed: 540.8km/h (6,000m)
Engine: Sakae Type 21 (Takeoff power 1,130hp)
Armament: 7.7mm machine gun x 2, 20mm cannon x 2
《Data》Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero Fighter Type 32
Crew: 1
Wingspan: 11.00m
Length: 9.060m
Height: 3.570m
Maximum speed: 544.5km/h (6,000m)
Engine: Sakae 21 (Takeoff power 1,130hp)
Armament: 7.7mm machine gun x 2, 20mm autocannon x 2
■Product Specifications
Manufacturer: Hasegawa
Item No: D26
Scale: 1/72
JAN: 4967834014565