Great stuff!
Ad: This forum contains affiliate links to products on Amazon and eBay. More information in Terms and rules
You know, I was thinking of creating accurate tests and tables for Japanese aircraft performance, but the problem is I can't find much accurate data.Surely in wartime. The problem is wartime tests keep appearing in publications until today. The A6M2 speed of 533 km/h is perhaps the most famous example.
Just found this thread and find it very interest, many thanksShinpachi
Takahashi-san is quite an aviator!
Two points I find quite interesting:
-He considered G3M a better bomber than G4M. Did he elaborate the reasons why?
- In the second photo of post #32 in the left of the cockpit is an origami dangling. Was it any kind of good luck amulet Shinpachi?
About Betty - the Type 1 Land Attacker,
"Betty was unable to make feathering by standing the propeller pitch, that is, adjusting pitch to the maximum angle to reduce its drags. Therefore, once either engine of two stopped, it was hard for me to controll the plane. Landing looked almost impossible."
"As the center of gravity was located in the middle of fuselage, Betty needed quite longer distance and time for take-off.
To make it shorter by lifting the nose, all crew moved to the rear section during take-off as a weight. For landing, it was same."
"Therefore, when we had had casualty aboard, it was hard to land well because not all crew could move. Someone advised me later to step fully on the brake and then release it immediately the main landing gear hit the ground. Then the tail landing gear would follow to touch on the ground."
"Newer bombers like Peggy(Type 4 Heavy Bomber Hiryu) and Frances(P1Y Ginga) were taking off one after another quickly while I was struggling with my old Betty. I envied them."
"By the way, I have ever met Betty designer Mr. Honjo in the postwar when I happened to be a flight instructor for JASDF.
Mr. Honjo : 'What? Were you flying Betty? She was good, wasn't she? Wasn't she?'
I could not answer well."
"In my memory as a bomber pilot, Nell(Type 96 Land Attacker) was the best plane for me. She could be good even today. My best one in the postwar was Piper Super Cub."
Manny thanks.I have no more Takahashi's testimonies about G4M in comparison with G3M than my old post as it said -
Yes, the origami crane is a good luck stuff gifted by a girl like a sister or a girl friend.