Japanese Aircraft on Orford Ness

[SteveInMels]

The establishment at Orford Ness was used for testing, bomb ballistics, and many other purposes during the WW2 era. One important role was vulnerability testing on Allied and enemy airframes.
Now, we recently came across a manufacturer's plate from a Japanese aircraft. After considerable juggling, we think we have identified what it says:

Manufacturer: Nakajima Aircraft Co., Ltd.
Aircraft used: Type 96 Land Attack Aircraft
Fuselage number: Nakajima, n.º [blank]
Part number: move 19688, left
Empty weight: 13.100 kg
Capacity: 300 L
Test pressure: 0.1 kg/cm²
Inspection mark: [chrysanthemum symbol] [中 (= centre)] [unknown symbol]
Inspection date Year Month Day: [Shōwa] 1-12-17 [= 17th December 1942]
Manufacturer serial number: Nakajima, n.º 3176

It appears to be a plate from a fuel tank. Can anyone throw further light on this?

 

[Wurger]

Hello,

Judging by the text written on the left in the second line it is of the Mitsubishi G3M "Nell" Type 96 land-based attack aircraft ( 九六式陸上攻撃機 ). Although the G3M plane was the Mitsubishi design it was improved by the Nakajima and marked as G3M3 (Model 23) with more powerful engines and increased fuel capacity. This version was manufactured only by Nakajima.

 

[SteveInMels]

Hello,

Judging by the text written on the left in the second line it could be of the Mitsubishi G3M "Nell" Type 96 land-based attack aircraft ( 九六式陸上攻撃機 ). Although the G3M plane was the Mitsubishi design it was improved by the Nakajima and marked as G3M3 (Model 23) with more powerful engines and increased fuel capacity. This version was manufactured only by Nakajima.

Many thanks for this, Wurger. My Orford Ness colleagues were also gravitating towards the G3M as the most likely candidate. We are wondering if a complete aircraft, or only the fuel tanks, were transported to Orford Ness.

 

[Wurger]

I see. The "left" word at the fourth line may indicate one of the fuel tanks form the port wings.
Here is another data plate of another part possible also from "Neil" I found via the net.

the pic source: the net.

 

[Wurger]

Also please make a focus on the line with the inspector's stamps. In the pic posted above you may notice the anchor sign. It means that the plane was accepted by IJN (Naval Aviation). Your dataplate has the Sakura marking there what means the IJAAF (Army Air Force) military acceptance.

 

[SteveInMels]

That is very useful information, thanks again!

 

[Wurger]

My pleasure.