[WWII] Nakajima A6M2-N "Rufe" fighter floatplane (Japan)

[copeab]

Nakajima A6M2-N "Rufe" fighter floatplane
Copyright 2011 by Brandon Cope

The Japanese Navy recognized that it would not be possible to build runways on all of its potential island conquests, nor would it have sufficient carrier numbers to make up for that deficiency. Thus, it was decided in 1940 to build a float plane fighter to be used from such islands. While that design (the N1K "Rex") went through normal development, the Model 11 Zero (p.W112) was modified to serve the role as a stop-gap measure by the Nakajima corporation. Basically, the landing gear and arrestor hook of the Zero were removed and the wheel wells faired over. A large central float was added under the fuselage and one stabilizing float under each wing. The tail was also slightly increased in height.

Just under 330 A6M2-N's were produced through 1943, entering service in early 1942. They generally didn't perform well against Allied fighters (in particular, land-based fighters), only having much success in the Aleuthian Campaign of 1942-43. The Rufe suffered by the increased weight and drag of the floats, which greatly diminished the performance of the basic Zero airframe. Late in the war, some were used in vain attempts to intercept B-29's (p.W:MP102) over the home islands but suffered heavy losses.

The A6M2-N had a crew of one. The plane uses 35.4 gallons of aviation gas at routine usage.

Subassemblies: Waterproofed Light Fighter chassis +3, Light Fighter Wings with High Agility option +2, one sealed Small AFV Main Pontoon [Body:U] +3, two sealed Small Weapon Stabilizing Pontoons [Wings:U] +0, one fixed skid +0.
P&P: 708-kW HP aerial gasoline engines with 708-kW prop and 156-gallon light fuel tanks [Body] and 81 gallon light fuel tank [Main Pontoon]; 4,000-kW batteries.
Occ: 1 CS Cargo: 6.5 Body

Armor
All: 2/2
Pontoons: 2/3

Weaponry
2¥Aircraft LMGs/7.7mm Type 97 [Body:F] (680 rounds each)
2¥20mm Short Aircraft ACs/Type 99-1 [Wings:F] (60 each)

Equipment
Body: Medium radio receiver and transmitter, navigation instruments, autopilot. Wings: One 132-lb hardpoint each.

Statistics
Size: 33'x39'x14'
Payload: 1.06 tons
Lwt: 3.18 tons
Volume: 144
Maint.: 40 hours
Price: $25,500

HT: 7
HP: 50 Body, 90 each Wing, 75 Main Pontoon, 45 each Stabilizing Pontoon, 15 Skid.

aSpeed: 271
aAccel: 7
aDecel: 24
aMR: 5.75
aSR: 2
Stall: 71 mph
-2 mph per loaded hardpoint

wSpeed: 27
wAccel: 7
wDecel: 10
wMR: 0.1
wSR: 3
Draft: 1.2'
Float: 3.2 tons

Design Notes
The historical wing area of 251 sf has been used. Design speed was 245 mph. Design flotation rating was 3.17 tons. Performance numbers do not include loaded hardpoints. The A6M2-N normally does not carry a full auxilliary tank and bombs.
A 15 mph headwind is needed for fully loaded takeoff or 12 mph if lightly loaded (see below).

Without bombs or auxiliary fuel, Stall drops to 66 mph and aMR increases to 6.75.

The skid is located on the underside of the central float.

Contemporaries
The Kawanishi N1K1 Kyofu (1943) was heavier (4.09 tons) and had a much more powerful engine (1,089-kW), giving a top speed of 304 mph. Armament was the same. Allied code name was "Rex". Only 97 were built, including eight prototypes.