In Box Review of Tamiya 1/50th Scale
Japanese Navy Observation Seaplane Biplane
F1M2 "Pete"
Kit no. MA-111
By Ray Mehlberger
OUT OF PRODUCTION
Copyright 1967
By Ray Mehlberger
OUT OF PRODUCTION
Copyright 1967
HISTORY:
The main object of an observation seaplane is to remain in mid-air between the friend and enemy-fleets -answer to spot and report the fall of fired shots by radio in order to lead the gn fight favourable to the friend fleet.
Before the emergence of the Type-Zero observation plane the reconnaissance ship-plane served both purposes of observation and reconnaissance. However, due to the progress of carrier-based aircraft, it had become common knowledge that the fleet was escorted by an aircraft-carrier from which numerous defense-fighter could fly outl.
As a result, a reconnaissance ship-plane lacking in speed and easy maneuverability could not carry out its observational object against the increased blocking activity by fast enemy carrier-fighters. The Japanese Navy, therefore, acutely felt the need of the development of a particular kind of aircraft specialized solely in observational duty with superior climbing power, fighting ability and high speed.
In 1934, the Navy asked the three aircraft-manufacturing companies of Kawasaki, Aichi and Mitsubishi to start on trial manufacture of this particular kind of airplane. Before starting the work on this plane, however, the Mitsubishi Company studied the pros and cons of mono- and bi-planes and also mono- and twin-floats with a view to decide which type of plane should be adopted as the best.
The Company concluded that fighting capability should first of all be stressed even at the cost of speed to some degree and thus a biplane structure is more favorable because of its small wing loading and also that the single-float type is much better when it's fast maneuverability is considered.
In order to lessen a harmful resistant-tendency due to the biplane structure, an elliptical instead of a oblong-shaped wing was preferred, and when mass-produced, it was further decided that the latter wing, too, should be changed into a trapeze-shaped, thin wing and props between upper and lower wings were to be a single one type.
On the basis of these decisions, the Company began its design work. The Mitsubishi trial-plane was completed and passed the flying test by the Navy in March, 1937. and its type was officially adopted by the latter in preference to those of the two rival companies, Kawanishi and Aichi.
The plane was named as the Type-Zero Observation Seaplane in October 1939 and mass-produced as the 1st bi-seaplane for the Japanese Navy.
Equipped with the 780 hp Zuisei-13 engine, the plane could fly alone at 200 kt., considered the fastest maximum for any seaplane throughout the world at the time. It was armed with two 7.7mm fixed machine guns and a single-flexible machine gun at the rear of the fuselage.
Its war records were outstanding, sometimes fighting even with enemy fighters in the air battle thanks to its superior circling capability, while going out far to destroy enemy submarines under the sea with its two 30 kg bombs. Thus, the plane was very widely used, not only in the normal role and such activities, but also to serve other multi-purposes as well.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Crew: two, pilot and rear gunner
Length: 9.5 m (31 ft 2 in)
Wingspan: 11 m (36 ft 1 in)
Height: 4 m (13 ft 1½ in)
Wing area: 29.5 m² (318 ft²)
Empty weight: 1,928 kg (4,251 lb)
Loaded weight: 2,550 kg (5,622 lb)
Max. takeoff weight: 2,856 kg[7] (6,296 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Mitsubishi Zuisei 13 14-cylinder two-row radial engine, 653 kW (875 hp)
Maximum speed: 370 km/h (200 kn, 230 mph) at 3,440 m (11,300 ft)
Range: 740 km (400 nmi, 460 mi)
Service ceiling: 9,440 m (30,970 ft)
Wing loading: 86.3 kg/m² (17.7 lb/ft²)
Power/mass: 257 W/kg (0.156 hp/lb)
Climb to 5,000 m (16,404 ft): 9 min 36 sec
The main object of an observation seaplane is to remain in mid-air between the friend and enemy-fleets -answer to spot and report the fall of fired shots by radio in order to lead the gn fight favourable to the friend fleet.
Before the emergence of the Type-Zero observation plane the reconnaissance ship-plane served both purposes of observation and reconnaissance. However, due to the progress of carrier-based aircraft, it had become common knowledge that the fleet was escorted by an aircraft-carrier from which numerous defense-fighter could fly outl.
As a result, a reconnaissance ship-plane lacking in speed and easy maneuverability could not carry out its observational object against the increased blocking activity by fast enemy carrier-fighters. The Japanese Navy, therefore, acutely felt the need of the development of a particular kind of aircraft specialized solely in observational duty with superior climbing power, fighting ability and high speed.
In 1934, the Navy asked the three aircraft-manufacturing companies of Kawasaki, Aichi and Mitsubishi to start on trial manufacture of this particular kind of airplane. Before starting the work on this plane, however, the Mitsubishi Company studied the pros and cons of mono- and bi-planes and also mono- and twin-floats with a view to decide which type of plane should be adopted as the best.
The Company concluded that fighting capability should first of all be stressed even at the cost of speed to some degree and thus a biplane structure is more favorable because of its small wing loading and also that the single-float type is much better when it's fast maneuverability is considered.
In order to lessen a harmful resistant-tendency due to the biplane structure, an elliptical instead of a oblong-shaped wing was preferred, and when mass-produced, it was further decided that the latter wing, too, should be changed into a trapeze-shaped, thin wing and props between upper and lower wings were to be a single one type.
On the basis of these decisions, the Company began its design work. The Mitsubishi trial-plane was completed and passed the flying test by the Navy in March, 1937. and its type was officially adopted by the latter in preference to those of the two rival companies, Kawanishi and Aichi.
The plane was named as the Type-Zero Observation Seaplane in October 1939 and mass-produced as the 1st bi-seaplane for the Japanese Navy.
Equipped with the 780 hp Zuisei-13 engine, the plane could fly alone at 200 kt., considered the fastest maximum for any seaplane throughout the world at the time. It was armed with two 7.7mm fixed machine guns and a single-flexible machine gun at the rear of the fuselage.
Its war records were outstanding, sometimes fighting even with enemy fighters in the air battle thanks to its superior circling capability, while going out far to destroy enemy submarines under the sea with its two 30 kg bombs. Thus, the plane was very widely used, not only in the normal role and such activities, but also to serve other multi-purposes as well.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Crew: two, pilot and rear gunner
Length: 9.5 m (31 ft 2 in)
Wingspan: 11 m (36 ft 1 in)
Height: 4 m (13 ft 1½ in)
Wing area: 29.5 m² (318 ft²)
Empty weight: 1,928 kg (4,251 lb)
Loaded weight: 2,550 kg (5,622 lb)
Max. takeoff weight: 2,856 kg[7] (6,296 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Mitsubishi Zuisei 13 14-cylinder two-row radial engine, 653 kW (875 hp)
Maximum speed: 370 km/h (200 kn, 230 mph) at 3,440 m (11,300 ft)
Range: 740 km (400 nmi, 460 mi)
Service ceiling: 9,440 m (30,970 ft)
Wing loading: 86.3 kg/m² (17.7 lb/ft²)
Power/mass: 257 W/kg (0.156 hp/lb)
Climb to 5,000 m (16,404 ft): 9 min 36 sec
THE KIT:
Tamiya is an old prolific model company based in Shizuoka, Japan. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a "Pete" in a side profile and head-on view. It is posed against one of Tamiya's signature all-white backgrounds that they use for the box arts of the majority of their kits.
The "Pete" is dark-green over a grey under-carraige, with white rudder code KEA-35.
One side panel has the history of the "Pete" in Japanese and English.
Tamiya is an old prolific model company based in Shizuoka, Japan. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a "Pete" in a side profile and head-on view. It is posed against one of Tamiya's signature all-white backgrounds that they use for the box arts of the majority of their kits.
The "Pete" is dark-green over a grey under-carraige, with white rudder code KEA-35.
One side panel has the history of the "Pete" in Japanese and English.
The other side panel shows color profiles of other 1/50th scale aircraft kits that Tamiya makes: a Japanese Navy carrier-borne dive-bomber Type 99 "Val" and a Ki-61 Hien "Tony".
WHAT'S IN THE BOX:
This kit contains 7 dark-green trees, a clear tree and decal sheet in 4 stapled-shut clear cello bags and the instructions.
The instructions consist of a single-sheet, printed on both sides in large 21" x 7" format, folded three times to fit the box.
The face side begins with the history of the "Pete" and its specifications, over painting and marking instructions and a list of Japanese Corps.
The painting and marking instructions show 3 top and bottom views and 6 side views of "Petes".
1. A "Pete" that is dark-green over light-grey, with a dark-brown spinner, a white square with the Japanese red roundel on it on the sides of the fuselage and white Japanese character -14 on the rudder.
It was with the Tateyama Flying Corps, active in and around the Tokyo Bay for patrols and the defence of convoys.
2. A "Pete" that also is dark-green over light-grey, with a white spinner, 2 white fuselage bands and white rudder code YI-II.
It was aboard the carrier Chitose.
3. A "Pete" that is also dark-green over light-grey, with a dark green spinner. It has roundels that are split in two with the top half being white and the bottom half red. The rudder flap also is divided in two with its top half red and bottom half white. Rudder code is black AI.
It was employed at the Indonesian Front.
The divided roundels are not on the decal sheet.
4. A "Pete" that is also dark-green over light-grey, with a white spinner and rudder code white RI-15.
It was with the so-called "R" Squadron.
5. A "Pete" that is also dark-green over light grey, with a red spinner and a white fuselage band and white rudder code 932-21.
It was with the 938th Air Squadron.
6. A "Pete" that is also dark-green over light-grey, with a silver spinner and white rudder code Z-18.
It was aboard carrier Kamikawa.
This kit contains 7 dark-green trees, a clear tree and decal sheet in 4 stapled-shut clear cello bags and the instructions.
The instructions consist of a single-sheet, printed on both sides in large 21" x 7" format, folded three times to fit the box.
The face side begins with the history of the "Pete" and its specifications, over painting and marking instructions and a list of Japanese Corps.
The painting and marking instructions show 3 top and bottom views and 6 side views of "Petes".
1. A "Pete" that is dark-green over light-grey, with a dark-brown spinner, a white square with the Japanese red roundel on it on the sides of the fuselage and white Japanese character -14 on the rudder.
It was with the Tateyama Flying Corps, active in and around the Tokyo Bay for patrols and the defence of convoys.
2. A "Pete" that also is dark-green over light-grey, with a white spinner, 2 white fuselage bands and white rudder code YI-II.
It was aboard the carrier Chitose.
3. A "Pete" that is also dark-green over light-grey, with a dark green spinner. It has roundels that are split in two with the top half being white and the bottom half red. The rudder flap also is divided in two with its top half red and bottom half white. Rudder code is black AI.
It was employed at the Indonesian Front.
The divided roundels are not on the decal sheet.
4. A "Pete" that is also dark-green over light-grey, with a white spinner and rudder code white RI-15.
It was with the so-called "R" Squadron.
5. A "Pete" that is also dark-green over light grey, with a red spinner and a white fuselage band and white rudder code 932-21.
It was with the 938th Air Squadron.
6. A "Pete" that is also dark-green over light-grey, with a silver spinner and white rudder code Z-18.
It was aboard carrier Kamikawa.
The reverse side has a grand total of 7 assembly steps and a list of all the kit's parts names.
Step 2 shows motorization of the propeller instructions. Not an option with this kit. I assume Tamiya makes another "Pete" kit with a motor in it.
Trees are a bit alphabetized.
Only one tree, out of the 7 in the kit, is illustrated in the instructions. The tree holding the elevators and small pontoons etc.
The 1st dark-green tree holds the wing halves (3 parts)
Step 2 shows motorization of the propeller instructions. Not an option with this kit. I assume Tamiya makes another "Pete" kit with a motor in it.
Trees are a bit alphabetized.
Only one tree, out of the 7 in the kit, is illustrated in the instructions. The tree holding the elevators and small pontoons etc.
The 1st dark-green tree holds the wing halves (3 parts)
The 2nd dark-green tree holds other wing halves (3 parts)
The 3rd dark-green tree holds: propeller, figures, dashboard, bombs, motor parts, machine gun etc. (24 parts)
The 4th dark-green tree holds the main pontoon (2 parts)
The 5th dark-green tree holds the fuselage (2 parts)
The 6th dark-green tree holds: cockpit floor, beachin dolly parts and wheels, cowling etc. (11 parts)
The 7th dark-green tree holds: elevators, spinner, struts, small pontoons, seats etc. (26 parts)
The clear parts are the canopy (2 parts)
The decal sheet completes the kit's contents.
Detail is engraved and the flaps are molded solid.
Recommended.
Recommended.