Many will be outraged right after the headline. Author, what are you talking about? "Zero" does not get out of the ratings of the same as you, films were made about it and in general …
And in general, and in particular especially. I will not tire of repeating that the "rating", where a pre-war carrier-based fighter is adjacent to an end-of-war fighter-bomber and a twin-engined heavy fighter, is the same rating where the VAZ-2101 will be considered next to the Ferrari. Approximately the same degree of "straightness" of the comparison. And what, both models are Italian, on four wheels, with gasoline engines …
So the ratings, where "Zero" are put on a par with the "Mustang" - well, so-so.
However, let's talk about the plane first. And for a snack, let's leave why he suddenly turned into "the best".
The birthday of "Fighter Zero" or, in our opinion, "Zero" was April 10, 1938. To say that the plane “did not enter” at the first time is to say nothing. Everyone criticized the project, both conservatives and progressives. The first did not like the closed cockpit, for example. It was such a fashion for the pilots of carrier-based aircraft to lean out of the cockpit and visually monitor the landing glide path.
In addition to this trifle, which caused lively disputes, the parties clashed in a serious battle following the presentation of the aircraft model in terms of weapons and the priority of speed over maneuverability, or vice versa. By the way, there were approximately equal numbers of supporters and opponents.
That is, half were supporters of a super-maneuverable fighter with light weapons (2 machine guns of a rifle caliber), the other half were in favor of a fast and well-armed fighter.
The debate reached a dead end, and I must say that all these disputes could ruin the project altogether, but diplomat Jiro Horikoshi, the chief designer, promised to satisfy the demands of both parties.
That is, to create a fast, maneuverable fighter with good weapons.
There are no miracles. Horikoshi was a very good constructor. I would even say - at the world level, since I have created more than one decent aircraft. But not brilliant. And what was promised was bordering on either genius or deception.
What was more - judge for yourself.
On April 25, 1939, with the official speed measurements, "Project 12" (the future "Zero") developed only 491 km / h. The competitor F2A "Buffalo", born in 1937, produced 542 km / h on similar tests. Feel the difference, as they say.
It is clear that it was not the aircraft design that was to blame, but the engine. Japan, like all countries of the second league of aircraft construction, was content with what it was. Therefore, when the Americans, the British and the Germans had already installed 1,000 hp engines on their aircraft. and higher, the most powerful engine from Mitsubishi, Zuisei 13, produced only 875 "horses".
The naval ministry found a way out in installing an engine from Mitsubishi's direct competitor, Nakajima. "Nakajima-Sakae 12" produced 940 hp, which was, in principle, comparable to world analogues, although this alignment was unlikely to please Mitsubishi specialists.
And with the Sakae engine, the plane did not just fly, but flew very promising. And the naval ministry liked it so much that it was launched into a series without completing the main part of the tests, under the official designation "experimental type 0 carrier-based fighter", or A6M1.
If you look impartially, then we must admit: the plane has become a victim of propaganda. The Japanese military department so wanted to convince everyone of creating something so transcendental that it itself believed in it. Therefore, the tests took place under open pressure from the naval command.
Moreover, the military department insisted, contrary to the opinion of Mitsubishi, on combat trials in China, where by that time military operations were already in full swing.
Tests were carried out on the first six pre-production fighters as part of the 12th Joint Air Group in July 1940. In parallel, another group of aircraft of the pre-production batch was being tested on board the aircraft carrier "Kaga", and after the tests, it was also included in the 12th group.
Looking ahead, let's say that the combat tests were more than successful. After testing the aircraft received the name "Marine type zero carrier-based fighter model 11" (A6M2 model 11) - "Rei-Shiki Kanzo Sentoki", in short - "Reisen".
Zero's actions in China have generated rave reviews. Newspapers were filled with reports of new fighter jets shooting down Chinese planes in batches.
On September 13, 1940, 13 Zeros escorted bombers and engaged 30 Chinese Air Force aircraft, shooting down 25 (two more collided in the air themselves) of them. Of course, this caused the proper resonance, but … "Zero" fought with I-15 and I-16 type 5 Soviet production. And these aircraft, which were inferior in speed by a hundred kilometers per hour and armed with two ShKAS, can be called full-fledged rivals? And under the control of Chinese pilots?
But the Japanese had enough. They really believed that the new fighter was worthy of the super prefix. So the opinion was formed, which said that "Zero" alone is worth from two to five of any enemy aircraft. Well, blessed is he who believes.
And what, in fact, made the new plane stand out so much?
Armament. Yes, the standard of pre-war armament of 2-4 rifle-caliber machine guns (Bf.109C and D, Gladiator, Gladiator, I-15, I-16 was blocked by the Zero configuration, since 7, 7-mm machine guns were added to two synchronous machine guns two wing-mounted 20-mm Mauser cannons manufactured under license.
Maneuverability. It was. Let's not deny it. But without hanging tanks. And without tanks, the range of action immediately became uninteresting. And in battle, the tanks were often not discarded, and the Zero immediately became an iron. But, in principle, it was a very maneuverable fighter, we should give it its due.
Speed. Yes, there was speed. The usual average speed for a monoplane fighter of the time was 500 km / h.
Range. Range - yes. A beautiful and real figure. "Zero" could fly very far at a cruising speed of 300 km / h, no matter accompanying bombers or performing their tasks. The most important thing for us is that the plane could fly far away.
Moreover, "Zero" was not a feather. It weighed more than Messer, more than I-16, as much as Kittyhawk and Hurricane. That is, the "feather" that will flutter, destroying everything around, "Zero" was not.
But what was paid for all the good characteristics?
I have already said that Horikoshi was not a genius. He was quite a good specialist who understood what he was doing. And if he promised that the plane would be fast, nimble, able to fly far and shoot well, it would have to be done. By what means? Considering that the motor was so-so for a car of this weight, we are left with only one parameter that could be played.
Protection that didn't exist
Yes, out of three tons of A6M1, not a single gram was spent on protection. Protected tanks, armored backrest, armored headrest, in general, everything with the prefix "armor" was not present on the "Zero". That is, in the frontal projection, the pilot was still somehow protected by the engine, but not on the other sides. And ANY bullet of a rifle caliber could be the first and the last for the Zero. Especially hitting the pilot.
Until now, we have a very erroneous opinion that "Zero" is something small and maneuverable. Alas, many were wrong, including our authors too. For example, I will give a quote from the Legendary "Zero" article.
“With its engine power less than that of any Allied fighter, the Zero significantly outnumbered enemy vehicles in speed and maneuverability due to its well thought-out and lightweight design. The Mitsubishi fighter successfully combined small size and low specific wing loading with a not very powerful engine, cannon armament and excellent airplane behavior, including exceptional range. Only with the appearance of Mustangs and Spitfires, Hellcats and Corsairs, the pilots of the USA and Great Britain were able to start fighting the Zeros.
Let's cling to some phrases.
So, about the "thoughtful and lightweight" design. If thoughtfulness means that everything that could give the pilot a chance to survive in a battle is removed from the plane … No, I still cannot call THAT “thoughtfulness”. This despair is mixed with stupidity. But - more on that later. Now I will just note that the "genius" creator of "Zero" Jiro Horikoshi for some reason was subsequently removed from work on the development of the aircraft. Suddenly so.
"The Mitsubishi fighter was a good combination of small size."
This is a very interesting passage. Let's compare, perhaps … With the P-40 Tomahawk and the Yak-1, for example.
So, A6M2 / R-40S / Yak-1.
Wingspan, m: 12, 0/11, 38/10, 0
Wing area, sq. m: 22, 44/21, 92/17, 15
Length, m: 9, 05/9, 68/8, 48
Maximum weight, kg: 2 757/3 424/2 995
Doesn't add up. Yes, "Zero" is lighter than classmates, that's right. But about the size - sorry. The Tomahawk was still that bandura, and, as you can see, it was not much larger in size. So if anyone here and was small - it's not about "Zero". This is about the Yak.
By the way, about the weight. Yes, the A6M2 was easier, but who said it was good? It was for these aircraft that there was a limitation on the dive speed, because the Zero could not be accelerated "all the way." It just fell apart. This is what the allies used, leaving the Japanese precisely on a steep dive.
How we won at "Zero"
Mostly on the pages of newspapers. The victories there were simply amazing.
"Completely bewildered by the maneuvers of the nimble Zeros, the three Chinese pilots hurriedly parachuted out of their undamaged aircraft."
Nimble "Zero" that outperformed the I-16 and the I-15 biplane? You believe? Me not. And this could have ended.
“As a result of the air battles, the pilots of the pre-production A6M2, together with the replenishment from the production vehicles, announced 99 victories with the loss of two Zeros.
Hartmans and Rally as one. However, as Suvorov used to say: "Write a hundred thousand, why should you feel sorry for them, basurmans!" Both Hartman and Rall lied, why are the Japanese worse? So it was possible to declare anything at all, if only there was a sense.
However, it is worth seeing, but in general, how was Zero's success?
But not very luxurious.
If you do not take the massacre at Pearl Harbor, then otherwise all the bravura reports are Japanese propaganda. In fact, the Asia-Pacific region (APR) was equipped with far from the best aviation units of the allies with not the most modern equipment.
It is logical: in 1941, the British "Spitfires" repelled German air raids on the islands and in North Africa, and, as it were, there was no time for the colonies. Accordingly, the "Brewsters", "Buffalo" and "Hurricanes" of the first models against the "Zero" did not look at all. About the same as the Chinese I-15.
That is, in fact, the key to the success of "Zero". Experienced pilots at the helm of the latest aircraft in 1940-41 against the not very best contingent of the Allies on older aircraft.
Naturally, the Japanese thrashed everyone in the tail and mane. Naturally. The Americans and the British were washed in blood, but they learned. And then? Quote again.
"Only with the advent of the Mustangs and Spitfires, Hellcats and Corsairs, the US and British pilots were able to start fighting the Zeros."
Hmm … also doubtful. "Mustang" became an aircraft for combat, and not to increase the statistics of the enemy only in 1944, "Spitfire", as it were, from 1936 in the series, but it was produced very tightly. Corsair and Hellcat? Sorry, the Wildcats in the confrontation with the Zeros had a ratio of 5, 1 to 1, which means there was one Wild Cat for every 5 Zeros shot down.
The battle in the Coral Sea has already put everything in its place. 3 Japanese aircraft carriers versus 2 American ones. The losses were equal, but the Americans thwarted the attack on Port Moresby. And two battered Japanese aircraft carriers ("Zuikaku" and "Sekaku") did not take part in the Battle of Midway Atoll, which ended with a deafening slap in the face of the Japanese fleet.
So why could such rascal Zeros, in their confrontation with American (not Mustangs and Corsairs) planes, be able to oppose them with anything?
And one cannot but recall April 18, 1943, when the Zero could not do anything with the American planes that sent Admiral Yamamoto to the next world. Moreover, the "Zero" fought not even with the Wildcats, but with the Lightnings. Twin-engine long-range fighters R-38. Yes, there were 14 against 6, but it was Zero!
As a result, the P-38s shot down both bombers and a pair of Zeros, and lost only one fighter.
In general, I can continue indefinitely, that is, until September 1, 1945. The essence of this will not change. "Zero" was good only against aircraft that could not provide him with the proper resistance. Let me emphasize that I have good pilots on board.
And the Japanese began to have problems with the flight personnel already in 1942.
Indeed, how do you want? 2-3 bullets of any caliber - and instead of "Zero" we see such a good torch. Given the frank frostbite of Japanese pilots, who did not want to escape, surrender, and so on, a downed plane usually meant a lost pilot.
Therefore, by 1942, pilots for paper "Zeros" simply began to run out. And in 1943, such apparently "trained" pilots missed the Americans, who flew almost 500 nautical miles and staged the ascension of Yamamoto. And we returned back.
Yes, in Japan, when the resources of the pilots began to rapidly melt from the fact that they burned down along with the shot down "fine" planes, they began to make perturbations. But it was too late.
Six or eight wing-mounted heavy machine guns of American fighters (and the bombers did not yawn, because they all wanted to live) smashed the Zero to pieces and shreds, killing the pilots.
You don't even need guns, why? Six barrels were spitting out such a heap of metal, at least something would have gotten there. And horrible - "Zero" ended its journey with a short, but effective torch. Together with the pilot.
And the Japanese, we must give them their due, came to their senses and rushed in pursuit. Already in 1941, Horikoshi was removed from his post as chief designer and was appointed Mijiro Takahashi. The latter managed to increase the dive speed to 660 km / h by reducing the wing and strengthening the structure.
We tried to squeeze at least something out of the Sakae engine, but … The speed increased on the A6M5 model by as much as 20 km / h and amounted to 565 km / h at an altitude of 6000 m.
The A6M5 went into production in 1943. That's right when the Americans got the Hellcat. Six large-caliber "Browning" regularly sent the Japanese to the Amaterasu temple, and 7, 7-mm bullets bounced off the armor of American fighters. Yes, and the Hellcat shells creaked, but held. So the beating of the Japanese pilots just entered a new orbit.
At the beginning of 1944, another version of the Zero appeared - A6M5b model 52b, on which - at last! - tried to introduce protection for the pilot. And in general, to do at least something for the sake of the fighter being from the word "exterminate" and not "exterminate."
The plane now has 50mm bulletproof glass! On this, however, finished with the armor, but nevertheless. The attempt was valid.
The aircraft also had a carbon dioxide fire extinguishing system. In the event of a fire, carbon dioxide from a high-pressure cylinder instantly filled the fuselage fuel tank and engine compartment.
Well, the strengthening of weapons looks like a miracle. One of the synchronous 7.7 mm machine guns was replaced with a 13.2 mm Type 3 machine gun. I wrote about this monster, a pirated copy of the Browning M2, redesigned for a 13.2 mm cartridge from a licensed Hotchkiss. What was, then they put it. This was the first enhancement of armament since the start of serial production. Let me remind you, 1944.
It is clear that everything looked sad, but alas, the replacement of the Zero could not be completed in any way: for the A7M, the Reppu could not finish the engine, and the J2M Raiden did not want to fly at all.
It is clear that in 1944 the aircraft born in 1938 was simply irrelevant, but nevertheless, they tried to squeeze something out of it.
The A6M5s model 52s received a pair of the same 13, 2-mm Type 3 machine guns in the wings, and the remaining synchronous 7, 7-mm machine gun was finally thrown away as unnecessary.
The pilot received an 8mm armored back! Just for the sake of comparison: the same armored back was on the Polikarpov I-15 fighter in 1933. But on the A6M5s they also installed 55-mm bulletproof glass in the back of the lamp!
The difference in speed with the same "Corsair" was 90 km / h, I do not know what the bullets of American machine guns said, piercing the 8-mm armored back, together with the pilot, perhaps they laughed. But the fact is, in 1944, "Zero" finally turned into a whipping boy.
The latest modification of the A6M8 with a new Kinsey engine of as much as 1500 hp. did not go into the series, because Japan ended as such. But the tests were carried out in 1945.
The armament was reduced to two 20-mm cannons and two 13, 2-mm machine guns, the synchronous was removed, since it simply did not fit in the compartment with the new engine. The aircraft could carry a 500-kg bomb under the fuselage and two 350-liter outboard fuel tanks under the wing.
A6M8 on tests developed a speed of 573 km / h at an altitude of 6000 m without external suspensions. For 1945 - a sad result. "Corsair" at the same altitude gave out more than 700 km / h.
So, excuse me, where is the "miracle plane" that frightened everyone and everything? I do not see.
I see a rather weak and defenseless plane made of sticks and cloth, really fit to fight planes of the lower class. No more.
But it's not even about LTH, now we will come to the essence of the material.
Almost 11,000 Zeros of all modifications. How many pilot lives did they take? Many. By 1943, there were almost no experienced naval aviation pilots in Japan, and those who remained could not resist the Americans on more advanced machines.
So the A6M Zero can be safely called an aircraft that left naval fighter aircraft without pilots. They simply died under the bullets and burned down in the cabins of this "miracle weapon".
But that's not all. Constant attempts to force this squalor to become a full-fledged fighter led to the fact that Mitsubishi spent resources on Zero, and work on Raiden and Repp was severely slowed down.
Development of Raiden began in 1939, Reppu in 1942, when it became clear that Zero really was zero. But the first flew only in 1942, and the second in 1944. When it was clearly too late. And the fast and armored American "cats" and "pirates" reigned in the sky.
LTH A6M-5
Wingspan, m: 11, 00
Length, m: 9, 12
Height, m: 3, 57
Wing area, m2: 21, 30
Weight, kg
- empty aircraft: 1 894
- normal takeoff: 2 743
- maximum takeoff: 3083
Engine: 1 x NK1F Sakai 21 x 1100 HP
Maximum speed, km / h: 565
Cruising speed, km / h: 330
Practical range, km: 1920
Maximum rate of climb, m / min: 858
Practical ceiling, m: 11 740
Crew, pers.: 1
Armament:
Synchronous on the fuselage:
- two 7, 7-mm machine guns or
- one 7.7 mm machine gun and one 13.2 mm machine gun or
- two 13, 2-mm machine guns.
Two 20mm wing cannons.
A6M "Zero" has the right to the title of the worst carrier-based fighter of the Second World War, since it did not correspond at all to the then canons of a fighter. Such an aircraft could appear only in Japan, with its openly misanthropic Bushido code.
He appeared. And took so many pilots with it that Japan actually lost the sky in 1942, a year after entering the war.
Where, you ask, are all these tales about Zero being so cool? Yes, all from the same place. Stories for the losers. It is a fact that Japan staged a blitzkrieg in the Pacific Ocean, even cooler than Germany in Europe.
Therefore, a victory against such a serious opponent seems to be twice as honorable. So some "historians" tell about the invulnerable "Zero" and other wonders of the Japanese military genius.
Believe it or not - everyone's personal business. At one time (1940 war with China) "Zero" was nothing, then - just an airplane for a disposable kamikaze, nothing more.
