Mitsubishi F1M “Pete”

The last IJN Biplane

Genesis for this model started in 1935 when first planned to succeed the Nakajima E8N as main catapult-launched navy spotter, mostly based on cruisers (The E13N was for battleships and succeed the E7K). The E8N (assigned the identifier “Dave” by US Intel) was a sturdy, reliable model, but slow and underpowered. Coming from the 1932 7-Shi specification, later 8-shi in 1933 it first flew in 1934 and was deployed from late 1935 and early 1936 too all capital ships and 16 cruisers of the IJN, plus five seaplane tenders.

As customary as soon it was introduced a new specification planned its successor, was made known to three manufacturers in 1934, Mitsubishi, Aichi and Kawanishi.

F1M predecessor, the E8N

Design development (1936-40)

In 1934, the specs called for still a short-ranged reconnaissance and observation model to be catapult-launched, and only with improved performances, now allowed by more powerful engines. Mitsubishi’s answered with the Ka-17, which was tested in 1935 and first flew in June 1936 after revisions of the specifications. It was proved superior to its competitors from Aichi and Kawanishi and thus, earned the contract. The F1M1 performed better than the Aichi but was plagued by poor stability while swimming and flying.

It was thus redesigned to solve these issues, and notably the wings were redesigned this time with a straight tapered leading edge, as well as trailing edges, plus they were rigged with a greater dihedral. Also to really nail stability, the vertical fin and rudder were much enlarged. Its floats were also enlarged to increase buoyancy and stability when at sea. Also, the Mitsubishi Hikari engine was replaced by a 652 kilowatts (875 hp) Mitsubishi Zuisei 14-cyl. radial engine, with a redesigned cowling which gave it better forward visibility. The final fuselage was smooth and aerodunamic.

Tested again later in 1936, the pilot resported its handling characteristics were greatly improved. The Navy appreciated the effort made by Mitsbushi and greenlighter production, as the “Navy Type 0 observation seaplane Model 11”, with the short designation F1M2. The F1M1 was only produced to four prototypes. 940 aircraft were built in total, 342 by Mitsubishi and 598 by Sasebo Arsenal, plus the 21st Arsenal. Production started in early 1941, after Mitsubishi had to create an entirely new production chain for it, already busy with other models such as the A5M.

Design

The Ka-17 was a small all-metal biplane, powered by a single Nakajima Hikari 1 radial engine. The latter was rated for 610 kilowatts (820 hp) and basically was the same which propelled its direct competitor, the Aichi F1A. This was still a biplane, but with elliptical wings and many wind tunnels studies and design care to reduce drag. Bracing was reduced to the minimum and interplane struts much simplified: It had “n” struts between the central upper wing and fuselage, and simple pillar-like profiled struts to maintained both upper and low wings.

Also the large central float was attached to the belly by a single, profiled large pillar, followed by a rear “V” strut attachment. Both fmaller underwings floats were attached by “N” type struts. Bracing was only provided in a “X” tranverse fashion between the wings. Thanks to its Mitsubishi MK2C Zuisei 13, 14-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine rated for 652 kW (875 hp) (ar take-off), or 600 kW (800 hp) at 3,500 m at 11,500 ft mated to a 3-bladed variable-pitch metal propeller, the The F1M2 had a maximum speed of 368 km/h (230 mph). Its max range was up to 1,072 km (670 mi) light (no payload). it was also armed with three 7.7 mm (.303 in) machine guns: Two fixed forward-firing on the nose, and a single flexible mounted rear-firing one for the observer. The underwings had racks for two 60 kg (132 lb) bombs. So this made for a versatile platform.

A single variant was manufactured, the F1M2-K two-seat training version.

Detailed specs

The F1M2 in action

Introduced a bit late as a biplane (almost six years after its first flight !) this model was the last biplane in service with the IJN. The formula had its advantages through: Although it limited top speed and high-G evolutions, the structure proved sturdy enough to practice dive bombing if needed. The reduced span and high lift was also an advantage for onboard storage, handling and lift when catapultes. The engine proved powerful enough to give extra agility to this model, and surprisingly enough, the “Pete” was used as fighter when the occasion arose, against allied bombers mostly.

The F1M was deployed in the fleet for gunnery spotting alongside the Nakajima E13A. In 1940 the Type 0 Model 11 was aboard eight battleships, including the Nagato and Yamato, nine cruisers and six aircraft tenders, plus many shore based units. Although the F1M’s comparatively low speed made it vulnerable to the best Allied fighters, it could successfully be used as a front line aircraft in secondary theatres (of which there were many in the Pacific).

The F1M even sometimes acted as a fighter in these isolated islands, or was seen acting as dive bomber in support of amphibious landings early on in 1942, and also a convoy escort aircraft, although limited somewhat by its short range, making ASW coastal patrols. Its main strength here was its manoeuvrability, so it was not eve, considered a threat by second-line Allied aircraft, which underestimated its capabilities.

The “Pete” performed soon a large veriety of mission when deployed over China: Convoy escort, bomber, anti-submarine and maritime patrol, but also rescue, transport, and anti-shipping strike: In one occasion, a “pete” equipped with bombs made a hit and sank the Motor Torpedo Boat PT-34, on 9 April 1942. Later in the war, it was also used as area-defense fighter, seeing impromptu fights with US planes in the Aleutians, notably the F4F Wildcat.

The F1M also saw plenty of action in and around the Solomons and played its part in all subsequent engagements, notably in New Guinea, used as point-defense fighter against Australian and US bombers and fighters coming from nearby Australia. The F1M was also the last IJN observation model to see large production and widespread use. Although its replacement was planned, as the Kawanishi E15K Shiun “Norm”, it never arrived in service in time (only 15 were delivered). In 1945, Indonesians captured a few F1M2s, which were used to fight the Dutch all along the gruelling Indonesian National Revolution. The Royal Thai Navy also operated some in 1944.

References

Francillon, R.J. Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War. Putnam, 1970.
Green, William. War Planes of the Second World War, Volume Six: Floatplanes. Macdonald & Co.
Wieliczko, Leszek A. (2017). “Mitsubishi F1M (Pete)”. Technika Wojskowa Historia

aviastar.org
militaryfactory.com
On pacificeagles.net
On historyofwar.org
On daveswarbirds.com
Footage
Footage
Mitsubishi_F1M

Fujumi 1/72 1997.
General quety on scalemates, many kits

F1M1 in green livery, 1942

F1M2, unknown unit

F1M2 IJN Haruna, Bat. Guadalcanal, November 1942

F1M2 in June 1945, used by a Kamikaze unit.

Two damaged Mitsubishi F1M2 (Allied code name “Pete”) observation seaplanes beached at the former Japanese seaplane base at Rekata Bay on the northern end of Santa Isabel island in March 1944. The man standing on the float of the nearer aircraft is flight lieutenant J. Beattie, Royal New Zealand Air Force.

Captured parts of an Indonesian “Pete”: Corporal Ralph Hayden and Leading Aircraftman Harry Pearce of No. 80 Squadron RAF amongst parts of a Mitsubishi F1M, bearing Indonesian markings, at an airfield and seaplane base in Surabaya (Soerabaja), Java, January 1946. In the background are Kawanishi N1K floatplanes.

Model kit

F1M1 over Rabaul

Planned replacement: The Kawanishi E15K Shiun (1942)