WWII Aircraft of the Day - The Mitsubishi Ki-46

The Mitsubishi Ki-46

The Mitsubishi Ki-46
Japan
By Salem

The Japanese possessed one of the best photo-reconaissance aircraft of WWII, the Mitsubishi Ki-46.
It was code-named "Dinah" by the Allies.
The Mitsubishi Ki-46 was powered by two 1050 hp engines and it was so fast that in 1942, the Japanese could take photos of almost anything they wanted.

WWII Aircraft of the Day - The Tachikawa KI-54

The Tachikawa KI-54

The Tachikawa KI-54
Japan
By Salem

The Tachikawa KI-54 was the standard Japanese training aircraft for the future crews on multi-engined aircraft.
Piolets, navigators, bomb-aimers, radio operators and even air-gunners all trained on the Tachikawa KI-54.
It was named "Hickory" by the Allies.

WWII Aircraft of the Day - The Mitsubishi A6M Zero

The Mitsubishi A6M Zero

The Mitsubishi A6M Zero - Japan
By Salem

The finest Japanese fighter of WWII was the Mitsubishi A6M Zero.
This tough little aircraft had superb handling characteristics, it was light, powerful and was a long range flyer.
Some of the Mitsubishi A6M Zeros were even converted into float-planes.
But nearing the defeat of the Japanese, they were used for Kamikaze missions.

Aircraft of the Day - The Aichi D3A

The Aichi D3A

The Aichi D3A - Japan
By Salem

An important aircraft in the success of the Japanese Imperial Navy was the Aichi D3A was was code-named "Val" by the Allies.
It was an all metal dive bomber.
It's main bomb-load was slung on a crutch which swung forward during the attack dive.
The Aichi D3A served in many battles including the raid on Pearl Harbor and attacks on the U.S. bases in the Phillipines.
The Aichi D3A also sank more Allied warships, including the cruisers the Cornwall and the Dorsetshire, than any other Axis aircraft during WWII.

Salem has really been enjoying learning about the aircraft of WWII.

We looked up how many different aircraft there were and there were hundreds so he will be doing an Aircraft of the Day for quite a while.

Looking at this blogs stats, the Aircraft of the Day is proving quite popular, so thank you to everyone who has been having a look.

Check in again tomorrow.

WWII Aircraft of the Day - The Nakajima Ki-27

The Nakajima Ki-27

The Nakajima Ki-27 - Japan

By Salem

The Nakajima Ki-27 was the first Japanese low-winged monoplane fighter.

It was the main fighter aircraft used by the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force until 1940.

The Allied Forces gave it the nickname of "Nate".

The Nakajima Ki-27 was also called "Abdul" in the China Burma India Theater.

It was used for combat by the Manchukuo and Thai Armed Forces.

WWII Aircraft of the Day - The Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka

The Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka

The Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka

Japan

By Salem

The Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka "Cherry Blossom" was the world's only purpose built Kamikaze suicide attack aircraft that saw service.

The American sailors nicknamed it "Baka" which is Japanese for idiot or fool.
The Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka was less of an aircraft and more like a flying bomb.
It had short stubby wings and very crude controls.
The pilot was carried by a 'mother' aircraft, which was usually a converted bomber, then released within gliding range of it's target.