Mitsubishi F1M2 Pete vs various British aircraft

[Fatboy Coxy]

Hi all, the Mitsubishi F1M2 'Pete' reconnaissance float plane was often used in a variety of other roles, being quite versatile, including area defence fighter. It was armed with two fixed, forward firing 7.7mm type 97 machine guns, and a third, flexible rearward firing for the observer, with a top speed of 230 mph.

How would it fair in the following scenarios

Defending ships against the Fairey Swordfish or Vickers Vildebeest in torpedo attacks

Defending ships against Fairey Battle's dive bombing at 60-degree angles

Defending ships against Bristol Bomber's level bombing at 8,000 ft

Dogfighting with Hawker Hurricanes at 5,000 ft

Regards
Fatboy Coxy

 

[muskeg13]

I'd say it would fare well against all the above except for the Hurricane, but with caveats. The Pete absolutely outclasses the biplane torpedo bombers and might even be more effective than a higher speed monoplane fighter. Only having 2 rifle caliber forward firing guns is a limiting factor, but the Pete would probably be able to better keep it's gunsight on slower, less maneuverable, targets. The same would hold true for the Fairey Battle and Bristol Bombers encumbered with ordnance, before the bombers began their dives or dropped their bombs. After the monoplane bombers deliver their ordnance, they could use their higher top speeds to run away from a menacing Pete. I think the Hurricane would find a Pete to be an easy kill.

"It was also a handy makeshift fighter thanks to its outstanding maneuverability, 230mph top speed and two forward-firing 7.7mm machine guns – a third flexibly-mounted weapon of an identical caliber was provided for the observer. The "Pete" could also carry two 132lb bombs. However, the floatplanes suffered from the same deficiencies found in early Japanese fighters and bombers, specifically a lack of self-sealing fuel tanks and adequate armor protection for the aircrew, and poor defensive armament." (Chambers, Mark. Wings of the Rising Sun (p. 291). Bloomsbury Publishing. Kindle Edition.)

 

[tomo pauk]

Against biplane bombers - it will do okay, if it can have some warning on enemy aircraft inbound so it can gain the advantageous altitude position and dive on them, or if it can engage them head-on with intent to incapacitate the pilot.
Against monoplanes, even against Battle - not so much, unless the head-on pass produced some results. Battle that is already in 60 deg dive will be hard to follow by most biplanes.

 

[special ed]

Jefferson DeBlanc ( MoH) flying an F4F out of Guadalcanal tangles with two Petes, shooting them down but in the event is shot down by the last Pete's rear gunner.

 

[Fatboy Coxy]

Thanks guys, do you think she'd be best low down over water, and just keep turning to avoid Hurricane attacks, who I'd think would try to use their speed with dive and climb attacks?