Mitsubishi 2MR

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2MR
Type Reconnaissance Aircraft
Manufacturer Mitsubishi
Designed by Herbert Smith
Maiden flight 1922
Primary user Imperial Japanese Navy
Number built 159

The Mitsubishi 2MR was a Japanese carrier-based reconnaissance aircraft of the 1920s, also known as the Navy Type 10 Carrier Reconnaissance Aircraft or the C1M in the Navy's short designation scheme.[1] Designed for Mitsubishi by the British aircraft designer Herbert Smith, the 2MR was used by the Imperial Japanese Navy through the 1920s and 30s.

Contents

[edit] Development and design

In 1921, the Imperial Japanese Navy placed an order with the newly established aircraft subsidiary of Mitsubishi for three types of carrier based aircraft, consisting of a fighter, reconnaissance aircraft and torpedo bomber. Mitsubishi hired a team of British engineers led by Herbert Smith, formerly of Sopwith Aviation Company to design these aircraft. Smith's design for a reconnaissance aircraft, designated by Mitsubishi the 2MR, first flew on 12 January 1922. [2]

The 2MR was of similar layout to the contemporary 1MF fighter (i.e. a single bay wooden biplane), but scaled up to accommodate a two man crew, and was powered by a similar license-built Hispano-Suiza engine. After successful testing, the 2MR was adopted by the Japanese navy as the Navy Type 10 Carrier Reconnaissance Aircraft (Type 10 referring to the year of ordering of 1921, the tenth year of the Taishō period), with production continuing until 1930, a total of 159 being built. [3]

[edit] Operational history

The 2MR continued in service aboard Japan's aircraft carriers through the 1920s and into the 1930s, with versions being used as intermediate trainers until the late 1930s [3]. Many were converted to civil use, being used both as trainers and for communications purposes for newspaper companies. some remained in civilian service until 1938 [2].

[edit] Variants

2MR1
Initial version, Navy designation Type 10-1. Fitted with car type honeycomb radiator at front of engine.
2MR2
Revised version, with original car type radiator replaced by Lamblin radiator beneath fuselage and relocated pilot's seat. Type 10-2.
2MR3
Increased tail area, radiator moved forward.
2MR4
Definitive carrier reconnaissance version. Rounded wingtips and re-located pilot's seat.
Karigane
Improved prototype of 1928 for reconnaissance aircraft for both Navy and Army. One only built.
2MRT1
Intermediate trainer version of 2MR1.
2MRT1A
Intermediate trainer, revised tail surfaces.
2MRT2
Intermediate trainer version of 2MR2.
2MRT2A
Trainer version of 2MR3.
2MRT3
Further revised intermediate trainer. Radiators relocated under wings.
2MRT3A
Final Trainer version. Fitted with night flying equipment and floatation gear.
R-1.2 Trainer
Civil trainer conversion of Type 10-1.
R-2.2 Trainer
Civil trainer conversion of Type 10-2.
Mitsubishi R-4
Conversion of 2MR4 for civil survey operations with enclosed cockpit. Two converted.

[edit] Operators

Flag of Japan Japan

[edit] Specifications (2MR)

Data from Japanese Aircraft 1910-1941 [2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: Two
  • Length: 7.93 m (26 ft 0 in)
  • Wingspan: 12.04 m (39 ft 6 in)
  • Height: 2.90 m (9 ft 6 in)
  • Wing area: 37.7 m² (406 ft²)
  • Empty weight: 980 kg (2,160 lb)
  • Loaded weight: 1,320 kg (2,910 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1× Mitsubishi Hi V-8 water cooled, 224kW (300 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 204 km/h (110 knots, 127 mph)
  • Wing loading: 35.0 kg/m² (7.17 lb/ft²)
  • Power/mass: 0.17 kW/kg (0.10 hp/lb)
  • Endurance: 3½ hours
  • Climb to 3,000 m (9,840 ft): 17 min

Armament

  • Two fixed forward firing 7.7 mm machine guns and two flexibly mounted 7.7 mm machine guns in observers cockpit
  • Three 30 kg (66 lb) bombs

[edit] See also

Related development

[edit] References

  1. ^ Designation systems FAQ Hazegray. Retrieved 05 April 2008.
  2. ^ a b c Mikesh, Robert C; Abe, Shorzoe (1990). Japanese Aircraft 1910-1941. London: Putnam Aeronautical Books. ISBN 0 85177 840 2. 
  3. ^ a b Donald, David (Editor) (1997). The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Aerospace Publishing. ISBN 1-85605-375-X. 

[edit] External links

Virtual Aircraft Museum [1] [2]

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