Nice list. Some I didn’t even knew.well done.
Side question.
The Japanese will be inferior to alies forces regarding weapons and specialty regarding tanks right?
As far as I know, army’s Type 92 Heavy Machine Gun (九二式重機関銃) did not had any pan magazine.
In case of navy’s Type 92 7.7 mm Machine Gun (九二式七粍七機関銃), it have standard 97 round pan magazine but it will not have any unique name because it is just a standard magazine. It was a licensed production model of the Lewis gun and magazine will not compatible with army’s Type 92 heavy machine gun: navy’s Type 92 is using rimmed 7.7x56mm cartridge (.303 British) but army’s Type 92 is using semi-rimmed 7.7x58mm cartridge (Type 92 cartridge) or rimless 7.7x58mm cartridge (Type 92 / Type 97 cartridge).
Surely armored vehicles are inferior to US and British commonwealth army. It’s even jokingly said that the strongest tank in the Japanese army is the M3 Stuart. (Japanese army operated lots of captured M3 Stuart)
In other hand, in China, French Indochina (had only FT-17 and FT-31) or Dutch East Indies (had only armored cars), Japanese armored vehicles superior to such colonial forces’ tanks.
About infantry weapons, it may be a little difficult to evaluate.
Bolt-action rifle
Hit power of 6.5 mm (Arisaka) rifles will be inferior to Chinese 7.92 mm (Mauser) rifles or Allies 7.7 mm (Springfield) rifles. However, the recoil is small, so it may be suitable for sniping.
Semi-auto rifle
R.I.P.
Submachine gun
Pros
- Large 50 ammo magazine (SIG M1920)
- High rate of fire (Type 100 SMG/Late and Naval model, 700-800RPM)
- Have a bayonet
Cons
- Hit power is lower than .45ACP (Navy: 7.63x25mm Mauser / Army: 8x22mm Nambu)
- Low rate of fire (Type 100 SMG/Early, 450rpm)
details
Navy
Japanese navy used SIG-Bergman M1920 (MP18/20) and Steyr-Solothrn S1-100 (MP34o) SMGs. Both guns were using 7.63 mm so hit power is inferior to original German service, but I’m not sure comparison with allies.
S1-100 had 30 round magazine, but SIG M1920 had large 50 magazine so it will be good advantage. In addition, in Japanese service both SMGs had bayonets which is useful in close-range combat.
Army
Except for several prototypes, Japanese army had only Type 100 SMG but it is possible to separate to three models. They were using 8 mm 14th Year Type pistol cartridge (aka 8mm Nambu). I’m not sure about cartridge but muzzle energy was not a good (similar to .380 ACP).
In case of Early (1942) model, fire rate was limited to 450rpm. In Late (1944) model and Naval model, they omitted rate reducer to improve productivity so fire rate increased to 700-800 rpm. Early model has good accuracy in exchange for a slightly lower rate of fire, but the late model will have a higher instantaneous firepower but will be difficult to control the aim. It seems similar to relation of M3 SMG and M1 Thompson.
Similar to naval one, Type 100 SMGs also had bayonet. I think it will be useful.
Light machine gun
Pros
- Have a bayonet (Type 96, Type 99)
- Have a scope (Type 96, Type 99)
- Perhaps recoil is lower than other countries’ light machine guns
- Magazine is larger than Browning M1918 (20 rounds vs 30 rounds)
Cons
- Hit power is lower than rifles: they used “decreased powder” cartridge (減装弾)
- Caliber is small: 6.5 mm (11th Year Type, Type 96)
- Mundane rate of fire: 500-550 rpm
Wikipedia says RoF of Type 99 is 700-800 rpm, but IJA and IJN documents say RoF is 550 rpm.
Source 1: ８．兵器諸元表／主要兵器諸元表 / Source 2: 陸戦参考－第１号・陸戦兵器要目表
Shotgun
Japanese navy requisitioned about 50,000 shotguns for substitute of rifles at jungle warfare. All of them were 12-gauge which is similar to allies.
It include single-shot, double-barrel and repeating fire guns. They will include not only bolt-action, pump-action but also semi-automatic like Browning Auto-5.
Anti-tank weapon
Japanese anti-tank weapons are quite inferior to allies.
At most, 8cm rocket launcher (HEAT shell) of the navy was sent to battlefield but others like army’s Type 4 7.5cm rocket launcher had never sent to battlefield.
Generally they used magnetic mine, HEAT hand grenade and HEAT rifle grenade.
Also, Japanese anti-tank guns are limited to 47 mm. It cannot penetrate front armor of M4 Sherman and Matilda Mk.II. For late-war battlefields we need to implement field gun for engineer’s gun.
Infantry mortar
There will not be much difference between the two armies.
Type 89 Heavy Grenade Discharger seems similar to British Two-inch mortar. Also, compare to American M2 mortar, weight is lighter than it.
note:
Japanese “Light” mortar is not suitable for game because their caliber is 75 ~ 150 mm. (in-game mortar: about 50 mm)
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Ok, thanks. I knew the Navy’s type 92 was often mounted on the back of light bombers, and that is why they used the larger mag, I just wanted to know if it had a unique name. I probably should have specified which Type 92 I was asking about. my bad.
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Don’t mind, Japanese weapon names always make confuse us…
p.s.
Navy landing forces’ infantry also used naval Type 92 (Lewis) machine gun with pan magazine for ground battles during WW2.
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A quick comparison of popular Japanese and American tanks
Data came from War Thunder (Enlisted is diverting assets from it)
Sheet
| Type 89 I-Go |
Type95 Ha-Go |
Type97 Chi-Ha |
Type97 Chi-Ha Kai |
Type 3 Chi-Nu |
M3 Stuart |
M3 Lee |
M4 Sherman |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Weapon | 2x6.5mm 1x57mm |
2x7.7mm 1x37mm |
2x7.7mm 1x57mm |
2x7.7mm 1x47mm |
1x7.7mm 1x75mm |
4x7.62mm 1x37mm |
2x7.62mm 1x37mm 1x75mm |
1x7.62mm 1x12.7mm 1x75mm |
| Main Gun Penetration (100m) |
21mm (APHE) 55mm (HEAT) |
33mm (APHE) |
21mm (APHE) 55mm (HEAT) |
75mm (APHE) |
98mm (APHE) |
65mm (AP) 72mm (APCBC) |
82mm (AP) 94mm (APCBC) |
88mm (AP) 101mm (APCBC) |
| Hull Armor (F/S/B) |
17/17/17 | 12/12/10 | 25/25/20 | 25/25/20 | 50/25/20 | 38/25/25 | 50/38/38 | 50/38/38 |
| Turret Armor (F/S/B) |
17/15/15 | 30/12/12 | 25/25/25 | 25/25/25 | 50/25/25 | 38/25/25 | 50/50/50 | 76/50/50 |
| Engine Power (HP) |
118 | 120 | 170 | 170 | 240 | 262 | 400 | 400 |
| Weight (t) |
11.5 | 7.7 | 15.0 | 14.8 | 18.8 | 12.6 | 27.7 | 30.6 |
| Power to Weight Ratio (HP/t) |
10.2 | 15.6 | 11.3 | 11.5 | 12.7 | 20.8 | 14.4 | 13.0 |
| Max speed (km/h) |
27 | 48 | 40 | 40 | 39 | 50 | 39 | 38 |
p.s.
about Experimental SMGs
Summary
About Prototypes
Experimental automatic pistols: Very early prototypes build by Tokyo Arsenal. English name is “Tokyo Arsenal Model 1927” and “Tokyo Arsenal Model 1928”.
They were manufactured by Tokyo Arsenal (東京造兵廠, English name is “Koishikawa Arsenal”). First-stage prototype was tested in March 1927 and compared with Thompson and Bergmann. It had extremally high fire rate and reliability was low. Second-stage Prototype was manufactured in 1930. They improved first stage to increase weight and decrease fire rate. The project disappeared spontaneously and was taken over by research on new machine pistols.
Please note that naval project and this army’s competition did not have any relations.
Nambu machine pistol Mark 1 and Mark 2 were designed for basic research. Design of Nambu Mark 2 was succeeded by Experimental Model 1 machine pistol in 1936. It was tested in December 1936 but there were some issues. The problem was fixed and the second test was held in April 1937.
In parallel, Experimental Model 2 machine pistol was completed and tested in June 1937 but performance was not a good and rejected.
In August 1937, a practical test of Experimental Model 1 was conducted at an infantry school and a cavalry school, and some requests were made. Based on Experimental Model 1, a new Experimental Model 3 was manufactured by incorporating the opinions of infantry and cavalry schools.
14 prototypes were manufactured and compared with new Bergmann submachine gun with Parabellum ammo. In This exam, they considered it have enough specification but few point was pointed out. Following it, 10 prototypes were modified. In addition they manufactured five Model 3 Modification Ko and five Model 3 Modification Otsu. Finally, Model 3 Mod. Otsu was adopted as Type 100 Machine Pistol in February 1941.
In later, Experimental Model 2 attracted attention as a small weapon for tank soldiers. In late 1940s Kokura arsenal build improved model of Model 2, but Japan was surrendered before it was adopted.
will it ever be a fair fight regarding tank vs tank? against US?
No Japanese tanks which were sent to battlefield can penetrate front armor of M4 Sherman
In other hand, all US tanks can penetrate from armor of all Japanese tanks which were sent to battlefield.
In case of early battles, there were only M3 Stuarts so it will be fair battle, but late war battle will be a non-balanced battle
(front armor of M4 Sherman is 50 mm, but it have inclined armor so it is difficult for Chi-Ha’s 47 mm cannon to penetrate it)
If implement SPGs like Ho-Ni I and Ho-Ro, Japanese tanker can destroy M4 Sherman but they are not well-protected so infantry can destroy such vehicles easily.
p.s.
“Protection Analysis” from War Thunder
M4A1 vs Japanese 47 mm Type 1 APHE (Type 97 Chi-Ha Kai)
M4A2 vs Japanese 47mm Type 1 APHE (Type 97 Chi-Ha Kai)
M3 Stuart vs Japanese 37 mm Type 94 APHE (Type 95 Ha-Go)
M3 Stuart vs Japanese 57 mm Type 92 APHE (Type 97 Chi-Ha)
M3 Stuart vs Japanese 47 mm Type 1 APHE (Type 97 Chi-Ha Kai)
Type 89 I-Go vs American 12.7 mm AP
Type 95 Ha-Go vs American 12.7 mm AP
Type 97 Chi-Ha Kai vs American 12.7 mm AP
Type 97 Chi-Ha Kai vs American 37 mm M74 AP (M3 Stuart)
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Japanese Aircrafts used during 1936-45
Japanese had lots of domestic-design military aircraft during Asia-Pacific War. This sheet list mass-produced fighters and bombers used during the war. It contains basic performance which is affecting to the game and I hope it will be help for you to consider about future Japanese campaigns.
Note:
- Prototype aircrafts are not included.
- Alphabet after machine guns mean subtypes.
A: Ko
B: Otsu
C: Hei
D: Tei - For details, please refer to books or websites. For purpose of searching I listed Japanese official names, project numbers and allied code names.
Single-Engine Fighter
Army
Summary
| Name | Project number/ code name |
Adopted year |
Number of built |
Speed | Front Gun |
Bomb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 95 Fighter Model 1 九五式戦闘機一型 |
Ki-10-I “Perry” |
1935 | 300 | 400km/h | 2x 7.7mm | N/A |
| Type 95 Fighter Model 2 九五式戦闘機二型 |
Ki-10-II “Perry” |
1937 | 280 | 400km/h | 2x 7.7mm | N/A |
| Type 97 Fighter 九七式戦闘機 |
Ki-27 “Nate” |
1937 | 3,386 | 470km/h | 2x7.7mm | N/A |
| Type 1 Fighter Model 1 "Hayabusa" 一式戦闘機一型 “隼” |
Ki-43-I “Oscar” |
1941 | 767 | 495km/h | 2x7.7mm (A) 1x7.7mm + 1x12.7mm (B) 2x12.7mm (C ) |
N/A |
| Type 1 Fighter Model 2 "Hayabusa" 一式戦闘機二型 “隼” |
Ki-43-II “Oscar” |
1943 | 3,831 | 355km/h | 2x12.7mm | 2x250kg |
| Type 1 Fighter Model 3 "Hayabusa" 一式戦闘機三型 “隼” |
Ki-43-III “Oscar” |
1944 | 1,153 | 576km/h | 2x12.7mm | 2x250kg |
| Type 2 Fighter Model 1 "Shoki" 二式戦闘機一型 “鍾馗” |
Ki-44-I "Tojo" |
1942 | 40 | 605km/h | 2x7.7mm+ 2x12.7mm (A) 4x12.7mm (B/C) |
2x100kg |
| Type 2 Fighter Model 2 "Shoki" 二式戦闘機二型 “鍾馗” |
Ki-44-II "Tojo" |
1942 | 1,173 | 605km/h | 4x12.7mm (A/C) 2x40mm+ 2x12.7mm (B) |
2x100kg |
| Type 3 Fighter Model 1 "Hien" 三式戦闘機一型 “飛燕” |
Ki-61-I “Tony” |
1943 | 2,600 | 590km/h | 2x7.7mm+ 2x12.7mm (A) 4x12.7mm (B) 2x12.7mm+ 2x20mm(C/D) |
2x250kg |
| Type 3 Fighter Model 2 "Hien" 三式戦闘機二型 “飛燕” |
Ki-61-II Kai "Tony" |
1945 | 390 | 610km/h | 2x12.7mm+ 2x20mm | 2x250kg |
| Type 4 Fighter Model I "Hayate" 四式戦闘機一型 “疾風” |
Ki-84-I "Frank" |
1944 | 3,500 | 660km/h | 2x20mm+ 2x12.7mm (A) 4x20mm (B) |
2x250kg |
| Ki-100 キ100 |
Ki-100 | 1945 | 393 | 580km/h | 2x20mm+ 2x12.7mm | 2x250kg |
Navy
Carrier-Based Fighter
Summary
| Name | Project number/ code name |
Adopted year |
Number of built |
Speed | Front Gun |
Bomb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 96 Mark 1 Carrier-Based Fighter 九六式一号艦上戦闘機 |
A5M1 "Claude" |
1936 | 30 | 405km/h | 2x7.7mm | 2x30g |
| Type 96 Mark 2 Carrier-Based Fighter 九六式二号艦上戦闘機 |
A5M2 "Claude" |
1937(mod1) 1938(mod2) |
39 | km/h | 2x7.7mm | 2x30g |
| Type 96 Mark 4 Carrier-Based Fighter 九六式四号艦上戦闘機 |
A5M4 "Claude" |
1939 | 1,000 | 435km/h | 2x7.7mm | 2x30g |
| Type 0 Carrier-Based Fighter Model 11 零式艦上戦闘機一一型 |
A6M2a "Zeke" |
1940 | 64 | 517km/h | 2x7.7mm+ 2x20mm |
2x60kg |
| Type 0 Carrier-Based Fighter Model 21 零式艦上戦闘機二一型 |
A6M2b "Zeke" |
1940 | 3,561 | 533km/h | 2x7.7mm+ 2x20mm |
2x60kg |
| Type 0 Carrier-Based Fighter Model 32 零式艦上戦闘機三二型 |
A6M3 "Zeke" |
1942 | 343 | 544km/h | 2x7.7mm+ 2x20mm |
2x60kg |
| Type 0 Carrier-Based Fighter Model 22 零式艦上戦闘機二二型 |
A6M3 "Zeke" |
1942 | 560 | 540km/h | 2x7.7mm+ 2x20mm |
2x60kg |
| Type 0 Carrier-Based Fighter Model 52 零式艦上戦闘機五二型 |
A6M5 "Zeke" |
1943 | 6,000 | 565km/h | 2x7.7mm+ 2x20mm(A/B) 1x7.7mm+ 1x13.2mm+ 2x20mm(B) 3x13.2mm+ 2x20mm(C ) |
2x60kg Rockets(C) |
| Type 0 Carrier-Based Fighter Model 63 零式艦上戦闘機六三型 |
A6M7 "Zeke" |
1945 | Hundreds | 565km/h | 2x20mm+ 2x13.2mm |
1x500kg Rockets |
Interceptors
Summary
| Name | Project number/ code name |
Adopted year |
Number of built |
Speed | Front Gun |
Bomb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 2 Seaplane Fighter 二式水上戦闘機 |
A6M2-N "Rufe" |
1942 | 327 | 437km/h | 2x7.7mm+ 2x20mm |
2x60kg |
| Kyofu 強風 |
N1K1 "Rex" |
1943 | 97 | 488km/h | 2x7.7mm+ 2x20mm |
2x60kg |
| Shiden Model 11 紫電一一型 |
N1K1-J "George" |
1943 | 1,000 | 570km/h | 2x7.7mm+ 2x20mm |
2x60kg |
| Shiden Model 21 紫電二一型 |
N1K2-J "George" |
1945 | 200 | 570km/h | 4x20mm | 2x250kg Rockets |
| Raiden Model 11 雷電一一型 |
J2M2 "Jack" |
1944 | 155 | 596km/h | 2x7.7mm+ 2x20mm |
2x30kg |
| Raiden Model 21 雷電二一型 |
J2M3 "Jack" |
1944 | 350 | 611km/h | 4x20mm | 2x60kg |
| Raiden Model 33 雷電三三型 |
J2M5 "Jack" |
1944 | 30 | 611km/h | 4x20mm | 2x60kg Rockets |
Twin-Engine Fighter
Army
Summary
| Name | Project number/ code name |
Adopted year |
Number of built |
Speed | Front Gun |
Bomb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 2 Two-Seat Fighter "Toryu" 二式複座戦闘機 “屠龍” |
Ki-45 Kai "Nick" |
1942 | 1704 | 547km/h | 2x12.7mm+ 1x20mm (A) 2x12.7mm+ 1x37mm (B) 1x20mm+ 1x37mm (C ) 1x37mm (D) |
2x250kg |
| Type 100 Command Reconnaissance Plane Model 3 一〇〇式司令部偵察機三型 |
Ki-46-III "Dinah" |
1944 | 75 | 630km/h | 2x20mm (B) | N/A |
| キ102 Ki-102 |
Ki-102 "Randy" |
1944-45 | 215 | 580km/h | 2x20mm+ 1x37mm (A) 2x20mm+ 1x57mm (B) |
2x250kg |
Navy
Summary
Fixed machine gun of the Gekko (J1N1-S) was only Schraege Musik, so I did not list it.
| Name | Project number/ code name |
Adopted year |
Number of built |
Speed | Front Gun |
Bomb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 2 Ground-Based Reconnaissance Plane 二式陸上偵察機 |
J1N1-R | 1942 | 507km/h | 1x20mm+ 2x7.7mm |
2x250kg |
Single-Engine Bomber
Army
Summary
| Name | Project number/ code name |
Adopted year |
Number of built |
Speed | Front Gun |
Bomb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 88 Light Bomber 八八式軽爆撃機 |
N/A | 1931 | 407 | 210km/h | 1x7.7mm | total 200kg |
| Type 93 Single-Engine Light Bomber 九三式単発軽爆撃機 |
Ki-2 | 1933 | 243 | 260km/h | 1x7.7mm | total 500kg |
| Type 97 Light Bomber 九七式軽爆撃機 |
Ki-30 "Ann" |
1937 | 686 | 423km/h | 1x7.7mm | total 450kg |
| Type 98 Light Bomber 九八式軽爆撃機 |
Ki-32 "Mary" |
1938 | 854 | 423km/h | 1x7.7mm | 4x100kg |
| Type 98 Co-Operation Reconnaissance Plane 九八式直接協同偵察機 |
Ki-36 "Ida" |
1938 | 1,334 | 349km/h | 1x7.7mm | 1x 250kg |
| Type 99 Attacker 九九式襲撃機 |
Ki-51 "Sonia" |
1939 | 2,385 (*1) | 424km/h | 2x7.7mm or 2x12.7mm |
total 200kg |
(*1) Include both Type 99 Attacker and Type 99 Army Reconnaissance Plane.
Navy
Carrier-Based Torpedo Bomber
Summary
| Name | Project number/ code name |
Adopted year |
Number of built |
Speed | Front Gun |
Bomb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 89 Carrier-Based Attacker 八九式艦上攻撃機 |
B2M | 1932 | 204 | 228km/h | 1x7.7mm | total 800kg |
| Type 92 Carrier-Based Attacker 九二式艦上攻撃機 |
B3Y | 1933 | 128 | 218km/h | 1x7.7mm | total 800kg |
| Type 96 Carrier-Based Attacker 九六式艦上攻撃機 |
B4Y "Jean" |
1936 | 200 | 277km/h | 1x7.7mm | 1x800kg |
| Type 97 Mark 1/3 Carrier-Based Attacker 九七式一号/三号艦上攻撃機 |
B5N "Kate" |
1937 | 1,400 | 377km/h | N/A | 1x800kg |
| Type 97 Mark 2 Carrier-Based Attacker 九七式二号艦上攻撃機 |
B5M "Mable" |
1937 | 150 | 381km/h | N/A | 1x800kg |
| Tenzan Model 11 天山一一型 |
B6N1 "Jill" |
1943 | 124 | 465km/h | 1x7.7mm | 1x800kg |
| Tenzan Model 12 天山二一型 |
B6N2 "Jill" |
1943 | 1,140 | 481km/h | N/A | 1x800kg |
| Ryusei 流星 |
B7A "Grace" |
1944 | 114 | 542km/h | 2x20mm | 1x800kg |
Carrier-Based Dive Bomber
Summary
| Name | Project number/ code name |
Adopted year |
Number of built |
Speed | Front Gun |
Bomb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 94 Carrier-Based Bomber 九四式艦上爆撃機 |
D1A1 "Susie" |
1934 | 162 | 281km/h | 2x7.7mm | 1x250kg+ 2x30kg |
| Type 96 Carrier-Based Bomber 九六式艦上爆撃機 |
D1A2 "Susie" |
1936 | 428 | 309km/h | 2x7.7mm | 1x250kg+ 2x30kg |
| Type 99 Carrier-Based Bomber Model 11 九九式艦上爆撃機一一型 |
D3A1 "Val" |
1939 | 476 | 381km/h | 2x7.7mm | 1x250kg+ 2x60kg |
| Type 99 Carrier-Based Bomber Model 22 九九式艦上爆撃機二二型 |
D3A1 "Val" |
1943 | 1,036 | 427km/h | 2x7.7mm | 1x250kg+ 2x60kg |
| Suisei Model 11 彗星一一型 |
D4Y1 "Judy" |
1943 | 705 | 546km/h | 2x7.7mm | 1x500kg |
| Suisei Model 12 彗星一二型 |
D4Y2 "Judy" |
1944 | 710 | 579km/h | 2x7.7mm | 1x500kg+ 2x60kg |
| Suisei Model 33 彗星三三型 |
D4Y3 "Judy" |
1944 | 830 | 547km/h | 2x7.7mm | 3x250kg |
Seaplane
Summary
Purpose of reconnaissance seaplanes was not only reconnaissance but also provide air cover for fleet and bomb enemy ship. In this list, floatplane without bomb and submarine-launcher planes are not listed.
In some ground battles (eg. Battle of Shanghai), fleet seaplanes see service.
| Name | Project number/ code name |
Adopted year |
Number of built |
Speed | Front Gun |
Bomb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 90 Mark 2 Reconnaissance Seaplane 九〇式二号水上偵察機 |
E4N | 1930 | 152 | 232km/h | 2x7.7mm | 2x60kg |
| Type 94 Reconnaissance Seaplane 九四式水上偵察機 |
E7K "Alf" |
1934 | 530 | 239km/h | 1x7.7mm | 2x60kg |
| Type 95 Reconnaissance Seaplane 九五式水上偵察機 |
E8N "Dave" |
1935 | 750 | 299km/h | 1x7.7mm | 2x30kg |
| Type 0 Reconnaissance Seaplane 零式水上偵察機 |
E13A "Jake" |
1940 | 1,423 | 367km/h | 1x7.7mm | 1x250kg |
| Type 0 Observation Seaplane 零式水上観測機 |
F1N "Pete" |
1940 | 1,005 | 370km/h | 2x7.7mm | 2x60kg |
| Shiun 紫雲 |
E15K "Norm" |
1943 | 15 | 468km/h | N/A | 2x60kg |
| Zuiun 瑞雲 |
E16A "Paul" |
1943 | 220 | 448km/h | 2x20mm | 1x250kg |
Twin-Engine Bomber
Army
Summary
| Name | Project number/ code name |
Adopted year |
Number of built |
Speed | Bomb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 93 Heavy Bomber 九三式重爆撃機 |
Ki-1 | 1933 | 219 | 220km/h | total 1,500kg |
| Type 93 Twin-Engine Light Bomber 九三式双発軽爆撃機 |
Ki-2 "Louise" |
1933 | 174 | 255km/h ~ 283km/h |
total 500kg |
| Type 97 Heavy Bomber 九七式重爆撃機 |
Ki-21 "Sally" |
1937 | 2,055 | 432km/h ~ 473km/h |
20x50kg / 10x100kg / 4x250kg / 2x500kg |
| Type I Heavy Bomber イ式重爆撃機 (*1) |
BR.20 "Ruth" |
1938 | 85 | 430km/h | total 1,000kg |
| Type 99 Twin-Engine Light Bomber 九九式双発軽爆撃機 |
Ki-48 "Lily" |
1939 | 1,997 | 505km/h | 8x50kg / 4x100kg / 2x250kg / 1x500kg / 1x800kg |
| Type 100 Heavy Bomber "Donryu" 一〇〇式重爆撃機 “呑龍” |
Ki-49 "Helen" |
1940 | 819 | 470km/h ~ 500km/h |
12x50kg / 4x250kg / 1x500kg / 1x800kg |
| Type 4 Heavy Bomber "Hiryu" 四式重爆撃機 “飛竜” |
Ki-67 "Peggy" |
1944 | 635 | 537km/h | 15x50kg / 8x100kg / 3x250kg / 1x500kg / 1x800kg |
(*1) “I” is initial of “Italy”.
Navy
Summary
| Name | Project number/ code name |
Adopted year |
Number of built |
Speed | Bomb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 95 Ground-Based Attacker 九五式陸上攻撃機 |
G2H1 | 1936 | 8 | 244km/h | 6x250kg / 4x400kg |
| Type 96 Ground-Based Attacker 九六式陸上攻撃機 |
G3M "Nell" |
1936 | 1,048 | 348km/h ~ 416km/h |
12x60kg / 2x250kg / 1x500kg / 1x800kg |
| Type 1 Ground-Based Attacker 一式陸上攻撃機 |
G4M "Betty" |
1940 | 2,435 | 453km/h ~ 479km/h |
12x60kg / 4x250kg / 1x500kg / 1x800kg |
| Ginga 銀河 |
P1Y "Frances" |
1943 | 1,102 | 546km/h | 2x250kg / 2x500kg / 1x800kg |
| Tokai 東海 |
Q1W "Lorna" |
1944 | 153 | 320km/h | 2x250kg |
Quad-Engine Bomber
Army
Summary
| Name | Project number/ code name |
Adopted year |
Number of built |
Speed | Bomb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 92 Heavy Bomber 九二式重爆撃機 |
Ki-20 | 1931 | 6 | 200km/h | 36x50kg / 36x100kg / 16x200kg / 8x500kg / 4x500kg+ 12x250kg |
Navy
Summary
| Name | Project number/ code name |
Adopted year |
Number of built |
Speed | Bomb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 97 Flying Boat 九七式飛行艇 |
H6K "Mavis" |
1937 | 179 | 385km/h | 12x60kg / 2x250kg / 2x500kg / 2x800kg |
| Type 2 Flying Boat 二式飛行艇 |
H8K "Emily" |
1942 | 167 | 385km/h | 16x60kg / 8x250kg / 2x800kg |
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For the SMGs they have the japanese army used the MP34 and something that is called the Type BE ? Which is just the mp28 or 18 with 40 round mag… i found out about this from another game the source might be unreliable.
The japanese also used a Type 98, basically an mg15
MP34(o) is German name of S1-100. Japanese name is Type Su automatic pistol (ス式自動拳銃).
Type Be automatic pistol (ベ式自動拳銃) is SIG-Bergmann M1920, an improved MP18 with 50 round magazine. Sometimes it is confused as MP28.
Both SMGs were used by Imperial Japanese Navy.
Surely, Type 98 swivel machine gun (九八式旋回機関銃) is based upon MG15, but it was aviation machine gun for bomber’s flexible mount.
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Wonderful, sire. This is a pretty nice list, and really good. However, this list also shows the reason why we can’t have a 1944 Pacific campaign, unless you want to add in imaginary weapons, such as captured Johnson M1941 from the Dutch, or the Chi-To that never left the Japanese homeland.
However, we can focus on the 1942 Malaya and East Indies Campaign. And of course, scrap the Semi-Auto, as neither side did use significant amount of semi-auto rifles during the campaign with the exception of the Dutch with their 1500 Johnson M1941 rifles.
I could list em up like this:
Arisaka Type 30 - Enfield M1917
Arisaka Type 38 - Lee-Enfield SMLE (Indian Pattern)
Arisaka Type 99 - Lee-Enfield Mk IV
Arisaka Type 99 with Type 100 Grenade Discharger - SMLE with grenade launcher
Type Hei experimental rifle with 10 rounds magazine - Farquar Hill with 10 rounds magazine
If you want to, you could add in captured French rifles from Indochina for either sides. An extra Lebel or Berthier wouldn’t hurt. We may also put in Burmese Mausers if you desire so.
As for Submachine Guns, the Japanese are not in a good position at all. However, I could add in some interesting stuff. This also includes taking Thai SMGs
Type 100 SMG - Sten Mk I
Solothurn SMG (MP-34) - MAS-38
Thai MP-35 - Thompson M1
Experimental Model 2 SMG (30 rounds) - M1928 Thompson (30 rounds)
Experimental Model 2 SMG (50 rounds) - M1928 Thompson (Drum Mag)
The LMG is easier than the SMG because the Japanese already had access to some nice SMGs
Type 96 LMG - Vickers-Berthier (this LMG was adopted by the British Raj, but not the British themselves)
Type 99 LMG - Bren Mk I
Heavy weapons are possible to think about. The Japanese do have access to some nice flamethrowers. But, let’s go anyways.
Type 89 Grenade Discharger - Two Inch Mortar
Type 93 Flamethrower (yes, it was used) - Harvey Flamethrower
Type 97 20mm Anti Tank Rifle - BOYS AT rifle (this is done to balance the fact that the allies simply have better tanks)
We shall not put in any rocket launchers here. Nope, just nope
Now, we can come to the tanks. 5 tanks, 2 for Tanker I, 3 for Tanker II.
Ha-Go - A13
Type 98 Ke-Ni - Tetrach
Type 97 Chi-Ha (with HEAT Rounds) - Daimler Mk II
Type 97 Chi-Ha Kai - Crusader Mk II
If we are desperate, we can add in the Thai Vickers 6 ton.
As for aircrafts, we have the most legendary stuff. The story of legends.
Mitsubishi A5M/Ki-27 - Hawker Hurricane Mk I
Ki-43 Hayabusha - Supermarine Spitfire Mk I
Mitsubishi A6M2 mod.11 (army Zero) - Supermarine Spitfire Mk IIb
Aichi D3A/B5N - V-156 B1
Ki-45 Toryu - Beaufighter Mk V/de Haviland Mosquito
Ayy, Grandee, this is harder than it looks. Just add stuff.
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It sounds nice idea!
However, in my opinion there are some problems.
30th Year Type rifle was already retired so it should be battlepass or premium weapon. For such purpose, Type 44 carbine would be suitable.
I think its not a good idea because Type 97 autocannon is too heavy… Its weight is 60kg! Its just prototype but experimental 13mm is still better than it.
Its not a problem, but I want to see SIG-Bergmann M1920 (Type Be machine pistol) of the Japanese navy.
Type 98 Ke-Ni was never sent to overseas. Also, mass-production was started since June 1942 so it was not exist during the Malayan Campaign.
Mass-production of Type 3 HEAT shell was started since 1944.
Some opinions for aircraft:
Single-engine attacker
I think army’s attackers like Type 98 light bomber (Ki-32) are better than naval bombers . Normally, army’s combat was supported by army’s aircrafts.
Ki-32 was a bit old but it was used at the battle of Singapore etc.
Twin-engine attacker
In case of Malaya, Type 99 twin light bomber (Ki-48) vs Blenheim Mk.IV will be good. In battle of Malaya, British forces used Blenheim, and one of them shoot down very famous ace-pilot Tateo Kato.
In other hand, as far as I remember, there’s no Beaufighter or Mosquito in there.
Fighter
In that time there aren’t Spitfire in Malaya… British forces had only Buffalo and Hurricane.
Also, A6M2 mod.11 is very-early production model. Produced only 64 and used in early 2nd Chino-Japanese war for strategic bombing by navy. When start the Pacific war they’re already replaced by mod.21.
How about something like this:
Type 97 Fighter (Ki-27) - Buffalo Mk I
Type 1 Fighter Model 1 (Ki-43-I) - Hurricane Mk I
Type 1 Fighter Model 2 (Ki-43-II) - Hurricane Mk II
Ki-43-I had two 7.7mm and Ki-43-II had two 12.7mm.
Japanese Grenades
Fragmentation grenade
九一式手榴弾 / Type 91 hand grenade
Japanese multipurpose hand grenade for hand, rifle grenade launcher and infantry motor.
It was already outdated during WW2 but some second-line troops still used it.
Specification
- Mass: 530 g
- Explosive: TNT, 65 g
- Fuse: 7-8 sec (original) / 4 sec (modified)
Photo
九七式手榴弾 / Type 97 hand grenade
This is a Japanese hand grenade only for hand-throwing. It was a modified version of Type 91 hand grenade.
Specification
- Mass: 530 g
- Explosive: TNT, 65 g
- Fuse: 4 sec
九八式柄付手榴弾 / Type 98 hand grenade with handle
This is a copy of Chinese-copy of M24 hand grenade.
It was deployed to Chinese front mainly.
Specification
- Mass: 600 g
- Explosive: Picric acid, 80 g
- Fuse: 4 sec
九九式手榴弾(甲) / Type 99 hand grenade (Ko)
This is a Japanese next-gen hand grenade. It was lightened to increase range.
It can be launched from Type 100 rifle grenade launcher.
Specification
- Mass: 300 g
- Explosive: Picric acid, 57 g
- Fuse: 4 sec
Image
九九式手榴弾(乙) / Type 99 hand grenade (Otsu)
This is a Japanese next-gen hand grenade. It was lightened to increase range.
This variant had simplified fuse but it could not be launched from rifle grenade launcher.
Specification
- Mass: 275 g
- Explosive: Picric acid, 55 g
- Fuse: 4 sec
Anti-tank grenade
三式対戦車手榴弾 / Type 3 anti-tank hand grenade
It is a hand grenade with shaped charge to destroy enemy tanks.
It can penetrate 50 mm armor.
Specification (Ko)
- Mass: 1270 g
- Explosive: RDX/TNT 853 g
- Fuse: impact
Specification (Otsu)
- Mass: 853 g
- Explosive: PETN/TNT 690 g
- Fuse: impact
Specification (Hei)
- Mass: 830 g
- Explosive: Picric acid, 690 g
- Fuse: impact
Image
Smoke grenade
手投煙瓶 / Hand throwing smoke bottle
This is a throwable vial containing fume liquid.
This bottle is often confused with anti-tank gas bottle, but size is smaller than it.
Specification
- Mass: 375 g
- Duration: 60 sec
Technical Report by US intelligence
Japanese Smoke Weapons, WWII Tactical and Technical Trends, No. 35, October 7, 1943 (Lone Sentry)
Japanese partiality toward the tactical use of smoke, and various materiels employed by the Japanese army’s* “smoke” units have been discussed in Tactical and Technical Trends No. 21, p. 11; No. 27, p. 12. Recent reports on this materiel provides additional information in the form of descriptions of the Japanese frangible smoke grenade and the Japanese Type “99” self-projecting smoke candle.
The Japanese frangible smoke grenade is an iron-capped, spherical glass flask with a short neck and flat bottom. Measurements of the flask are:
| Overall height | 85 mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Diameter (o.d.) | 65 mm | |
| Circumference | 237 mm | |
| Weight (empty) | 161.2 grams | |
| Thickness of wall | 2 mm | |
| Volume (to base of neck) | 150 ml | |
| Opening | 16 mm |
The closure consists of a red rubber stopper held under a red rubber washer within an inner iron crown cap, this being enclosed by a heavier iron outer crown cap.
Filling: The liquid filling of the grenade has the following properties:
| Height of filling | 31 mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Volume | 69.6 ml | |
| Weight | 118.0 grams | |
| Specific gravity (calculated) | 1.69 | |
| Composition: | ||
| Titanium tetrachloride | 51.5% | |
| Silicon tetrachloride | 46.7% | |
| Titanium and silicon oxides, by difference | 1.8% |
Functional Characteristics
The grenade is so shaped as to be easily thrown by hand. Titanium and silicon tetrachlorides are readily hydrolyzed by the moisture if the air, with the formation of the respective hydroxides and hydrochloric acid. The smoke produced is formed from the fumes of hydrochloric acid and the particles of hydrated titanium and silicon oxides.
Tactical Use
The smoke grenade is intended for screening operations. Though both titanium and silicon tetrachlorides are irritating to the skin as liquids, in ordinary field concentrations the smoke is hardly irritating enough to the respiratory system to cause coughing. Because of its size, the grenade used singly is ineffective for a continuous screen, but is intended for use at short-range such as screening the gun port of a pill-box or tank.
Comparison with Comparable U.S. Equipment
Titanium tetrachloride-silicon tetrachloride mixtures are not used by the U.S. Titanium tetrachloride alone, designated FM, is classed as limited standard for filling CWS smoke munitions but is not used as filling for frangible grenades.
Photo
Left: Chi-Bi (anti-tank gas grenade)
Upper right: Grenade Model 4 (estimate)
Lower right: Hand-slowing smoke bottle
https://twitter.com/tamaya8901/status/787286278916091905?lang=ja
Molotov cocktail
手投火焔瓶 / Hand-slowing flame bottle
Japanese standard Molotov cocktail.
Specification
- Mass: 800 g
- Duration: 60 sec
Just out of curiosity, do you have (or know where can I find) any photos of those experimental guns? Especially about submachine guns - no matter if I paste the Japanese characters into google or search in English, it gives me the same images of Nambu Type 1 and Type 2 every time, and I’d like to know something about these weapons (or at least know how they looked).
Easy way to access photos is a book.
Unfortunately I don’t know English books, but I referenced this book:
佐山二郎 (2000) 「小銃・拳銃・機関銃入門 日本の小火器徹底研究」光人社NF文庫
ISBN4-7698-2284-7
Between p.373-378, there’re photos of SMGs and semi-auto rifles.
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I don’t mean to necropost, but in my recent research, I have come across references to a self-loading rifle designed by Kojiro Nambu which he designed in conjunction with the Type 96 LMG and competed with the Type Hei and Type Otsu in the early parts of that competition (from what I read, Nambu dropped out before the Type Ko entered the competition). Would you happen to know anything about that? Thanks.
Sorry, I don’t know anything. Book I mentioned before says only that Nanbu Gun Factory declined to participate in the trial due to delay of project caused by an accidental explosion of a prototype gun.
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Ah ok, thanks anyways, I’ll keep looking into it then.
PLZZZ add all of them.