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IJN_A6M2_21

IJN_A6M2_21 2024-11-09

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Deathwind

Moderator
Staff member
Deathwind submitted a new resource:

IJN_A6M2_21 - "Reimagining History’s Wings—Your A6M2 Zero Awaits!"

Step into the cockpit of the overhauled A6M2 Model 21, originally crafted by the legendary B24 Guy. This iconic Imperial Japanese Navy fighter boasts impressive upgrades, capturing the essence of Japan's most renowned WWII aircraft. Known for its agility and range, this Zero model brings the skies of the Pacific to life in stunning detail, honoring both history and immersive game play.

Key Features:

  • Custom Enhancements: Includes an overhauled damage profile for bigger...

Read more about this resource...
 
Thanks. She would make a good ground personal object to be placed near a runway. I’d be good a creating images for ground personal
 
Do you get a lot of crashes on final approach and botched landings from distracted pilots?
When I built my A6M2 for CFS1 a few years ago, I chose markings similar to those from the Tainan air group based in Tainan, Taiwan instead of the Akagi air group because the Akagi air group would not have existed for any event / mission after June 1942.
It was a glorious time but it was a fairly short reign.

- Ivan.
 
I haven’t actually made any female ground personal yet although I have taken a look at other people’s work on ground personal I can see it’s something I have the skills to do. The pilot lady was made by me by AI technology. There are plenty of textures that would fit the aircraft I released. It’s the B24 guys overhauled stock A6M2 Zero. Captain Kurt has a nice texture of the Tainan zero that fits this aircraft.
 
Seeing so many A6M2 recently for the simulators and having been involved heavily in a forum discussion on A6M2 flight performance for several months, I am now tempted to revisit the A6M2 I built about 11 1/2 years ago. The amount of information I have today is quite a lot more than I had back then. I am realizing today that some of the data from the tests of Koga's A6M2 were actually not quite correct in their conclusions.

You mentioned earlier that the next project would be a A6M3 Model 32. I would suggest you take an intermediate step at the A6M3 Model 22 first. The wing does not change from an exterior view though the internal arrangement of fuel tanks is quite different.
Other than the cowl area, the only other obvious changes would be long barrel Type 99-2 cannon and a different rudder trim tab.

There is of course the rather interesting A6M2 "Sen Baku" variant from the beginning of 1944 that was actually equipped to carry a centerline 250 Kg bomb. Those were a weird bunch with long barrel Type 99-2 cannon and two wing drop tanks.

- Ivan.
 
Koga's A6M2 was the first model of the Zero that the United States had direct access to, and the insights they gained from studying it were incredibly valuable in understanding both the strengths and weaknesses of the A6M2 Type 21. As the war progressed, numerous countries and pilots tested different variants of the Zero, and it’s safe to say that no two sets of results were the same. Each version of the aircraft offered unique handling characteristics, which likely varied based on modifications, pilot skill, and operational conditions.

As for the possibility of bringing the Zero back to life in CFS2, I understand the challenges in achieving full realism in flight dynamics. The game’s virtual skies can’t perfectly replicate the real-world environment, and that gap is something we have to accept. While it may never be as realistic as one would want, I agree that having a more accurate representation of the A6M2’s flight characteristics (like the 1% version) is a step in the right direction. That said, the gameplay experience will inevitably differ from real-life flying conditions. Flying the 1% Zero can be challenging, especially in quick combat scenarios, and it might not always be the best option for scoring high in a mission. Even legendary pilots like Hiroyoshi Nishizawa would have faced difficulties in achieving an unrealistic kill count in a simulated environment, given the dynamic nature of combat and the limitations of game physics.

On the other hand, the stock CFS2 Zero, with its more forgiving flight model, might make things a bit easier for the average player. It's designed to offer a more accessible experience, which could feel quite different from the true performance of the aircraft.

While I don’t personally create my own models (due to the "no shirt, no shoes, no school" rule, so to speak), I do contribute to the community in other ways. My primary focus is on reworking and enhancing the campaign scenarios in CFS2, which I think will bring a richer experience for players. Regarding ordnance, you're correct that the 250 kg bomb, though sometimes used in Kamikaze missions, was not a standard weapon for the A6M2 Type 21. It was a more specialized loadout, not typically used for the aircraft’s regular operations.

 
The ability of the simulators to model flight performance and handling is actually much better than you might expect and I am working with CFS1 flight models. The basic limitation is simulating stick forces and cockpit instrumentation and views.
Not sure what you mean about "No Shirt, No Shoes, No School". Watch the movie "Conrack".
As for 1% flight models, I am not a big fan. The reason is that there is much more to aircraft performance than two points such as Sea Level and Critical Altitude. As an example, assuming we have an aircraft with a critical altitude around 25,000 Feet and get performance within 1 % at Sea Level and Critical Altitude, what happens in between? Generally CFS (and I suspect CFS2 as well) simulates a single speed supercharger pretty well. If you get a critical altitude beyond a certain height, then the medium altitude performance becomes extraordinarily high. I prefer the performance to be "close" at most altitudes even if it is several percent off at SL and CA.

Regarding Koga's A6M2, The AVG actually captured and flew one before Koga's machine was recovered. It was transported (I believe to Rangoon) and shipped by freighter back to USA. It was restored by Curtiss because of damage suffered along the way. This aircraft can be identified by louvered panels over the engine accessory area because the original covers were missing and I believe it was eventually tested at Wright Field by the Army.
As for other models of A6M tested by the Allies, I don't believe there really was an accurate flight test of any model even later in the war. You can gather that by reading the test reports in detail.

The A6M2 Model 21 actually was a replacement for the D3A Val beginning in early 1944. They were all built by Nakajima and were called Sen Baku (Japanese for Fighter Bomber). They carried a single 250 Kg bomb on the centerline in place of the regular drop tank and carried two drop tanks under the wings to make up for the range without the centerline drop tank. These were not kamikaze aircraft. They were regular operational bomber aircraft on Japan's remaining carriers.

The A6M series were never difficult aircraft to fly. In the Joint Fighter Conference, some pilots who had a chance to fly the type commented that it handled more like a light sport plane. Consider that after 1942, many Zero pilots with good training had died and their replacements were pilots with low time and experience and still did not have problems flying even off carriers.

- Ivan.
 
Have you thought about trying CFS2 for modding, or is there something specific that keeps you working with CFS1? The altitude dynamics and behavior of the 1% planes in CFS2 should be similar, especially at mid-altitude levels where accurate performance data would show. No sim is perfect, but with careful adjustments, flight dynamics and performance should still be realistic. Interestingly, despite its combat-oriented limitations, Microsoft’s non-combat flight sims often receive praise for data accuracy—possibly benefiting from the regular updates that CFS3 missed as the last of the Combat Flight Sim series.

On another note, your mention of the AVG and their possible encounter with a Japanese Zero is fascinating. It’s widely believed the AVG indeed had an early chance to capture and assess a Japanese Zero, predating the U.S. Navy's formal analysis of Koga’s A6M2 in 1943. Here’s a breakdown of the story:

The AVG’s Encounter with a Japanese Zero​

In early 1942, while the Flying Tigers operated in China, AVG pilots engaged Japanese aircraft over Burma and China. During this period, an A6M2 Zero reportedly made a forced landing in China after sustaining combat damage, leaving it abandoned. The AVG managed to capture and inspect this damaged Zero, which, while not identical to Koga’s more famous A6M2, provided a valuable glimpse into Japanese capabilities.

Although this Zero wasn’t in prime condition and had limited flight capability, AVG pilots who flew it noted its remarkable agility and climb rate—alongside its vulnerabilities, such as the lack of armor and self-sealing fuel tanks. These findings were later confirmed by the U.S. Navy’s rigorous tests on Koga’s A6M2.

Clarification with Koga’s A6M2​

The AVG encounter, while providing useful insight, was limited by the damaged state of the Zero. In contrast, the Navy’s later recovery of Koga’s A6M2, found intact in the Aleutians, enabled in-depth testing, providing critical intelligence that shaped U.S. tactics for engaging Zeros in future battles.

Late-War Developments and Aircraft Replacements​

By 1944, most Model 21 Zeros in service had been modified for various roles, including the fighter-bomber (bakusen) conversion, to carry a 250 kg bomb on the centerline. However, no new Model 21s were built; existing models, such as the A6M2 and A6M5, were adapted for these roles. The Model 52, with its structural improvements, performed better as a fighter-bomber.

Meanwhile, Japan’s original carrier-based bombers, the Kate and Val, were gradually replaced:

  • Nakajima B6N Tenzan ("Jill"): Replacing the Kate as the primary carrier-based torpedo bomber, the B6N featured a more powerful engine and better range and payload than its predecessor. However, development delays and a reduced carrier fleet limited its overall impact.
  • Yokosuka D4Y Suisei ("Judy"): Intended to replace the Val, the D4Y was faster, with a streamlined design and initially intended as a reconnaissance bomber. Recast as a dive bomber, it excelled in speed but faced delayed deployment. Later in the war, the Judy was even adapted for kamikaze missions, given its speed advantage for breaching Allied defenses.
Both the Jill and Judy represented advancements in Japanese carrier strike capabilities, but their arrival was too late to counter Japan's deteriorating war position fully.
 
Found A Japanese Pearl Harbor mod on Way Back Machine called TW_PEARL. Never heard of them. The aircraft appear to be well made but i haven't installed them or the scenery. Aircraft listed are Ph_b5n2, PH_D3A1, PH_P36A, PH_PBY. All appear flyable with panels and have breaking parts. Missions use stock aircraft too. Everything in Japanese but that's easy to translate.
 
Hello Deathwind,
There is actually a lot more to the story than you just described.
Not in any particular order, the bakusen as westerners originally knew them were more recently with discussion with pilots of the time renamed Sen Baku. They were actually new build aircraft, not refurbs because Nakajima was still building some A6M2.
Many pilots preferred the A6M3 over later variants and even in the aircraft manual, it is noted that under 6,000 Meters, the Type 0 Mk.I (A6M2) has greater combat power than the Mk.II (A6M3 and A6M5).
The way to tell the new aircraft apart is to look at the wing cannon. The initial production would have had flush mounted Type 99-1 cannon while the later Sen Baku typically had the long barrel Type 99-2 sticking out of the wings with presumably a higher ammunition load as well. The original A6M2 never carried more than 60 rounds per gun.

I have thought about CFS2, but I like building the entire aircraft and textures always bother the heck out of me. That is why the paint schemes on my designs always tend to be pristine and cartoonish. I still have many things I want to accomplish in CFS1. I am just barely getting into Gauge Programming. I also currently have no Development Computer for 3D models. Mine crashed a couple years ago and took most of the source code with it. I archived some of the long completed projects, but the work files and files in development are gone.

The other purpose built dive bomber and torpedo aircraft were probably better than the Sen Baku but had problems getting off the smaller decks of the remaining Japanese escort type carriers. The Sen Baku was a way of giving them a decent strike capability.

Regarding Captured A6M2:
I believe the AVG aircraft (original tail marking V-172) was actually captured in much better condition than Koga's A6M2.
The problem was that what repairs that were needed had to be done at a forward base in China.
Koga's aircraft actually suffered some serious damage from having its main gear wiped off in a marsh and then flipped on landing which crushed the canopy and fin and killed the pilot. The plane then sat partially under water for over a month before being spotted and recovered. The repair / restoration facility was San Diego and they are much better equipped for repair and fabrication than a Chinese airbase. Even then, if you read the reports in detail, they didn't really get everything right. The Japanese were not kind enough to supply a tech or operations manual.

Attached is a famous picture of V-172 after capture and restoration to flying condition in China. Note the Nationalist markings.
Note also the panel behind the cowl. That is the distinguishing feature of this bird. The distinguishing feature of Koga's bird is the broken antenna mast which never got repaired.

- Ivan.

v-172_p-5016_caf_a.jpg
 
Hello Ivan,

It’s clear you’ve done extensive research over the years, digging deeper than most into WWII history. There’s certainly no shortage of information out there, though it ranges widely—from solid facts to stories from “the town historian” after a few too many drinks. The level of detail you provide is a refreshing change from the usual basics out there.

And please, feel free to challenge any of my claims—I’m no expert, more like an expert in getting into trouble! I’ve really enjoyed this conversation; it’s rare to find someone with this level of interest in both the game and WWII history. Most of my friends are old school buddies, and my other close friends are young Filipina women in their twenties. They’d actually make fantastic companions for exploring some of the Japanese occupation sites in the Philippines, once I can afford to go back.

Rest assured, you’ll get no criticism from me on your work; I can see you’re highly skilled. My equipment might be lacking, but as they say, “no money, no honey, no extras either.” And I totally get the frustrations that come with it.

Thanks for sharing the photo—it’s fascinating! I noticed that part behind the cowl flaps has that "Made in China" look to it. Stay in touch!
 
Your "Yamamoto" looks a lot more like Yamamura, the fellow that played the part in the movie, "Tora Tora Tora" from 1970.
Yamamoto had quite a different look to him. Looked like he had a serious underbite.
Here is a photograph of Koga's aeroplane as it was discovered.
It was certainly not intact but rebuildable. Note that both main gear are gone. Wiped off before aircraft flipped and if something so sturdy as a radio mast made of wood is broken off, imagine what it did to the canopy and the pilot inside.

- Ivan.

Mitsubishi6M2Type0Model21-32.jpgMitsubishi6M2Type0Model21-33.jpg
 
it probably is the actor. I made that in cinema mode. Be a good screen if you don’t complete your missions. Koga thought he was landing in a field not a muddy bog. The landing gears sank into the mud forcing the plane to stop at once before flipping over. His neck snapped before he flipped over he was dead before the canopy hit the muddy bog. It cost us a fortune to get that plane out of there.
 
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