Most float planes (seaplanes) were used by Naval forces as
scouts to detect the movements of enemy capital ships and invasion forces. As
shown here, there were a large variety of float planes, each tailored for
specific tasks in the air fleet.
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NAKAJIMA A6M2-N
“Rufe”
YEAR OF DESIGN: 1940
LENGTH: 33 feet 2 inches
WINGSPAN: 39 feet 4 inches
MAX AIRSPEED: 235 MPH
CEILING: 32,300 feet
TYPICAL ARMAMENT
2 x 7.7 mm wing-mounted machine guns
2 x 20 mm fuselage-mounted machine guns
2 x wing-mounted 132-pound bombs
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Although a direct variation of the A6M Model from
Mitsubishi, Nakajima was mainly responsible for seaplane production of this
model throughout the war. The A6M2-N featured a high service ceiling, which
provided safety. Still, the Rufe was equipped with ample firepower and two
small bombs, just in case she found herself up against enemy forces.
.
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YEAR OF DESIGN: 1938
LENGTH: 84 feet 3 inches
WINGSPAN: 131 feet 2 inches
MAX AIRSPEED: 211 MPH
CEILING: 31,520 feet
TYPICAL ARMAMENT
3 x 7.7 mm wing/fuselage-mounted guns
1 x 20 mm machine gun in rear turret
[Usually equipped with
300 rounds each]
2 x wing-mounted 1760-pound torpedoes
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Since the Mavis was comparable in size to a bomber and
used a crew of 9,,it was used for long-range reconnaissance, able to fly for
24-hours with a range of over 4,100 miles. Also, the Mavis often carried two
Long Lance Torpedoes and was, able to operate as a Torpedo Bomber.
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