Aichi B8A Mokusei (Jupiter)

History

During the early years of World War II, the Imperial Japanese Navy relied on torpedo bombers like the Nakajima B6N "Tenzan" and Kugisho D4Y "Suisei." As these models faced challenges, Aichi developed the Aichi B7A "Ryusei" as a new torpedo/bomb launch platform. However, only 114 were completed, and the changing wartime circumstances led to its repurposing for land-based dives.

In 1945, facing a lack of carriers, Aichi proposed the "AM-26" attacker design, sans features necessary for carrier-based aircraft. Aichi engineers modified the B7A3 variant, resulting in the B8A Mokusei. This aircraft boasted a simpler design with no folding parts, a straight wing, and a focus on high performance. Armed with cannons, machine guns, and the capacity to carry up to 1,754 pounds of weapons, the B8A offered versatility for shelling, air-to-air combat, dive bombing, and surface target attacks.

Despite the Japanese authorities favoring the B8A design, the war's end in 1945 marked the aircraft's demise. Named "Mokusei," the B8A became another "paper plane" of the war, never having the opportunity to see active service.

Specification

BASICS

Years in Service: 1945

Origins: Empire of Japan

Status: Development ended.

Crew: 2

Production: 0

Carrier: Imperial Japan (Cancelled)

Roles

Ground attack (bombing, strafing): The ability to conduct air strikes against ground targets using (but not limited to) artillery, bombs, rockets, rockets, etc.

Nautical/navy: Water mobility capability for a variety of land-based or ship-based maritime missions, supported by Allied Naval Surface Forces.

X-Plane: Aircraft designed for prototyping, technology demonstration, or research/data collection.

Dimensions and Weight

Length: 36.9 feet (11.25m)

Width/span: 45.1 ft (13.75m)

Height: 12.3 feet (3.75m)

Cured weight: 7,716 lbs (3,500 kg)

MTOW: 13,889 lbs (6,300 kg)

Wgt Difference: +6,173 lbs (+2,800 kg)

Performance

Installed: Plan: 1 x Mitsubishi MK9A 2,200 hp air-cooled radial piston engine driving a four-bladed propeller in the nose.

Maximum speed: 376 km/h (605 km/h | 327 knots)

Maximum: 42,651 feet (13,000 m | 8 km)

Area: 1,212 km (1,950 km | 3,611 nautical miles)

Rate of climb: 2,000 ft/min (610 m/min)

Weapons

2 x 30mm Type 5 cannons on the wings (one cannon per wing).

1 x 13mm Type 2 air-cooled machine gun mounted on a trainable bracket in the rear cockpit (aimed at the stern). Airdrop storage of up to 1,764 pounds, including conventionally dropped bombs or individual torpedoes.