AviationDiscuss Japanese "Popular" names for Aircraft in the World War II - Aviation forums; After July of 1943, names were given to Japanese Naval aircraft instead of
type designations, according to a scheme based ...
After July of 1943, names were given to Japanese Naval aircraft instead of
type designations, according to a scheme based on the aircraft's role.
Carrier & Seaplane fighters: "Wind" names usually ending with pu
or fu.
Interceptors: "Lightening" names ending in den.
Night Fighters: "Light" names ending in ko.
Attack Planes: "Mountain" names ending in zan.
Bombers: "Star" or "Constellation" names usually ending in sei.
Patrol: "Sea" or "Ocean" names ending in kai.
Recon: "Cloud" names ending in un.
Trainers: names for "Trees", "Plants" and "Flowers"
Transports: "Sky" names ending in ku.
Miscellanous aircraft were give "Landscape" names.
It should be noted, on two special occasions, "Ohka" (Cherry Blossom)
and "Kikka" (Orange Blossom), both types were designated 'special
attackers' (kamizaze weapons) and were named for fruit trees in the
gardens of the Imperial Palace.
__________________
"His motor's conked out!"
"What's the differance, they're all Nazis!"
"Luke, shut up!"
"Fear the hook!"
"Oh.....I wanna fly."
"You mean the kind that go under water and fly up the stairs?"
"What you doing? Oh Nooooo!"
Maybe instead of "popular", they might be considered "propaganda" names?
I think I read on Dan Ford's site about the Japanese army for propaganda purposes introducing flashy names like "Hayabusa" for their types at some point of the war, but of course the Navy decision might be entirely unrelated ...
"Soon after the opening of hostilities in the Pacific area it became evident to the Japanese High Command that the use of the Kitai and Type number systems in battle communiques had two shortcomings: they revealed too much to the enemy and were too complex for any particular aircraft to appeal to the Japanese populace. Therefore popular names were given to the principal aircraft likely to attract the enthusiasm of the public. Whereas the Navy gave popular names to their aircraft according to a set pattern, the Army chose their names haphazardly".
Charles, two more to add under the Blossom-Special Attack (Suicide) Plane category;
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