Your Completed KitsDiscuss ADVENT 1/72nd A6M5 Reisen (Zero) in the Modeling forums; I knew they installed it in twin engine planes in late 44 and 45. But never heard of it installed ...
I knew they installed it in twin engine planes in late 44 and 45. But never heard of it installed in a little Zeke. Seems like a waste of effort for a non-radar plane with a single upward firing 20mm against a B-29. Either utterly futile or suicide if you ask me.
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if
they made a difference in the world. But, the [U.S.]
Marines don't have that problem."
-- Ronald Reagan
I knew they installed it in twin engine planes in late 44 and 45. But never heard of it installed in a little Zeke. Seems like a waste of effort for a non-radar plane with a single upward firing 20mm against a B-29. Either utterly futile or suicide if you ask me.
It wasnt used very often and mainly used as night fighters. The 302nd commander pushed it from what Ive read for his squadon and had may aircraft in the squadron armed that way. I use to have some close pictures some where but cant find them but this one. Also here is a twin engine with an unual mounting.
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if
they made a difference in the world. But, the [U.S.]
Marines don't have that problem."
-- Ronald Reagan
Wonderful pics, Micdrow. You have inspired me to work in my Zeke.
Very cool Matt,
Im actually starting to dig in my archives and found Ive lost quite abit of date in the last 8 years due to computer failure and stuff but am still digging. I have tommorrow off so will try and see what else I can dig up.
302 Ku certainly had a few Zeroes with the upward firing cannon. Pauls example is YoD-150.
There were also J2M3 Raiden fitted with a cannon protruding from the side of the fuselage upwards....at about 30 degrees and slightly outward.
The A6M5c Zero had a 20mm wing cannon and 13mm outboard machine gun in each wing, the earlier A6M5, A6M5a and A6M5b had only the single 20mm cannon in each wing.
The tail codes were usually positioned just above the mid point of the tail plane.
Last edited by Wayne Little; 01-22-2009 at 06:33 AM.
That looks like suicide against a formation of B-29s. Assuming that you would only be able to utilize the oblique cannon in rear attacks the speed differential being so small that would make that Zeke pilot a relatively easy target as he's lining up with his single 20mm against all those .50s. Yipes.
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if
they made a difference in the world. But, the [U.S.]
Marines don't have that problem."
-- Ronald Reagan
That looks like suicide against a formation of B-29s. Assuming that you would only be able to utilize the oblique cannon in rear attacks the speed differential being so small that would make that Zeke pilot a relatively easy target as he's lining up with his single 20mm against all those .50s. Yipes.
Like you, I would agree it would be near suicide with this setup. I would prefer if I had a choice to have the first one above that goes through the canapay behind the pilot then the 30 degree angle one out the side of the fuselage.
IMHO, a slightly less suicidal setup would have been a single 20 or 30mm weapon on the a/c centreline, angled foward about 10-15 degrees, much more like Schrage Musik. Rather than having to calculate an off set as with the weapon coning out of the fuselage side, the pilot would be able to fire from directly below the B-29, and would hopefully be in a blind spot - I believe I am right in thinking the ventral guns on a B-29 couldn't point straight down like the ball turret of a B-17/B-24 Nevertheless, it would be a night-time only system - attacking a formation of B-29s at altitude, escorted, using that kind of system would be crazy, even by Japanese standards
EDIT: Micdrow, just re-read your post and have realised that I have largely repeated your point. Apologies!!!
Last edited by BombTaxi; 01-23-2009 at 11:42 AM.
Reason: My inability to read ;)
"Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind;
and therefore never send to ask for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee" - John Donne, Meditation XVII
Thats interesting Wayne, you wouldnt happen to have picture of this configureation with the Raiden would you.
You might find this one interesting.
Sure can do, will scan you a pic today....
That plan drawing is basically how the Raiden gun was set up, the Zero's gun was more vertical in the fuselage up through the canopy as you have already shown, havent seen any Zero's with the side cannon....
Last edited by Wayne Little; 01-24-2009 at 04:27 AM.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, ... I'm watching Wall*e with my boys right now... sorta. I put some weathering on my Zeke today and a coat of Future. It's drying as I write this. I made my HF aerial and 20mm cannon barrels. But haven't attached them.
I think I'm not cut out for "Your Completed Kits". I'm more of a "post your model development as you lope along" kinda guy. No pics quite yet to keep with the theme.
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if
they made a difference in the world. But, the [U.S.]
Marines don't have that problem."
-- Ronald Reagan
Originally Posted by Matt308
Nevertheless, it would be a night-time only system - attacking a formation of B-29s at altitude, escorted, using that kind of system would be crazy, even by Japanese standards
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