F1M2

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Rank IV USSR | Premium | Golden Eagles
Tu-1 Pack
F1M2
f1m2.png
GarageImage F1M2.jpg
ArtImage F1M2.png
F1M2
Research:2 900 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:700 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The F1M, designated as Type 0 Observation Plane (零式水上観測機), replaced the E8N2 and served as a scout for battleships. It also performed various other tasks, such as escorting convoys, bombing targets, maritime patrol, rescue, transport, and anti-shipping strike.

The F1M2 has been in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.27. Although it is classified as a bomber, it only carries 2 x 60 kg bombs and has a high-altitude bomber spawn, which limits its effectiveness in that role. The best approach is to spawn at the airfield and compete with fellow biplanes as a fighter, a role the F1M2 performs better at, surprising unsuspecting enemies with its versatility.

Nicknames
  • Allied reporting name: Pete

Ships that carry the F1M2 as a ship-launched reconnaissance aircraft:

General info

Flight performance

Max speed
at 4 000 m412 km/h
Turn time17 s
Max altitude9 200 m
EngineMitsubishi Zuisey 13
TypeRadial
Cooling systemAir
Take-off weight3 t
Characteristics Max Speed
(km/h at 4,000 m)
Max altitude
(metres)
Turn time
(seconds)
Rate of climb
(metres/second)
Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 397 388 9200 17.8 18.4 11.0 11.0 300
Upgraded 426 412 16.3 17.0 16.9 13.6

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear
X X
Limits
Wings (km/h) Gear (km/h) Flaps (km/h) Max Static G
Combat Take-off Landing + -
550 450 356 337 240 ~10 ~7
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< 280 < 320 < 320 > 313

Survivability and armour

Crew2 people
Speed of destruction
Structural550 km/h
Gear450 km/h

The F1M2 lacks protective armour, however, its fuel tanks are self-sealing. There is one below the pilot and three behind the engine which are arranged side by side. The gunner subsequently is also not protected by any armour and can be hit easily.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB104 → 131 Sl icon.png
RB149 → 187 Sl icon.png
SB171 → 215 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications2 960 Rp icon.png
885 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost190 Ge icon.png
Crew training200 Sl icon.png
Experts1 000 Sl icon.png
Aces20 Ge icon.png
Research Aces96 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
20 / 30 / 60 % Sl icon.png
100 / 100 / 100 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods aerodinamic fuse.png
Fuselage repair
Research:
200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
60 Sl icon.png
45 Ge icon.png
Mods radiator.png
Radiator
Research:
200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
60 Sl icon.png
45 Ge icon.png
Mods compressor.png
Compressor
Research:
165 Rp icon.png
Cost:
50 Sl icon.png
40 Ge icon.png
Mods aerodinamic wing.png
Wings repair
Research:
370 Rp icon.png
Cost:
110 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mods new engine.png
Engine
Research:
370 Rp icon.png
Cost:
110 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mods metanol.png
Engine injection
Research:
320 Rp icon.png
Cost:
95 Sl icon.png
75 Ge icon.png
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Research:
165 Rp icon.png
Cost:
50 Sl icon.png
40 Ge icon.png
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Research:
320 Rp icon.png
Cost:
95 Sl icon.png
75 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
type89_belt_pack
Research:
200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
60 Sl icon.png
45 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods weapon.png
type97_new_gun
Research:
165 Rp icon.png
Cost:
50 Sl icon.png
40 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
type92_turret_belt_pack
Research:
165 Rp icon.png
Cost:
50 Sl icon.png
40 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 1.png
Mods turret gun.png
type92_turret_new_gun
Research:
320 Rp icon.png
Cost:
95 Sl icon.png
75 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Offensive armament

Ammunition1 000 rounds
Fire rate900 shots/min
Main article: Type 97 navy (7.7 mm)

The F1M2 is armed with:

  • 2 x 7.7 mm Type 97 navy machine guns, nose-mounted (500 rpg = 1,000 total)

Suspended armament

List of setups (1)
Setup 12 x 60 kg Navy Type 97 Number 6 ground bomb

The F1M2 can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

  • Without load
  • 2 x 60 kg Navy Type 97 Number 6 bombs (120 kg total)

Defensive armament

Turret7.7 mm Type 92 machine gun
Ammunition582 rounds
Fire rate600 shots/min
Main article: Type 92 (7.7 mm)

The F1M2 is defended by:

  • 1 x 7.7 mm Type 92 machine gun, dorsal turret (582 rpg)

Usage in battles

The F1M2 is quite an interesting little biplane, and has several perks that allow it to fulfil a multitude of roles. It has surprisingly good manoeuvrability, decent armament, as well as the ability to land on water due to its floatplane design. All in all, it is a fun aircraft to fly in both air and naval battles.

Air battles:

The F1M2 would seem to be a relatively bad fighter, given that it has massive floats. However, the opposite is actually true. The F1M2 is very capable as a fighter, and has very impressive manoeuvrability for an aircraft of its type. However, be aware that the large, heavy floats result in a worse turning circle than most dedicated biplane fighters such as the I-15, He-51 or Fury. Though the F1M2 is still an able turner and can keep up with some fighters such as the P-26, pursuing a direct fighter engagement is not advised as it is generally a bit worse than dedicated fighter aircraft. As well, the F1M2 is rather slow, so don't expect it to outrun anything (other than extremely slow aircraft like the Po-2 or Swordfish, of course).

The F1M2 is equipped with two 7.7 mm Type 97 machine guns which are quite adequate for tearing biplanes apart. However, these guns are relatively bad for everything else, and won't do much damage to aircraft built out of metal. Of course, most aircraft at its BR are wooden biplanes, so the weapon is quite adequate. As well, the F1M2 can carry two 60 kg bombs, which are more than enough to destroy any lightly-armoured targets. Finally, the F1M2 has an ace up its sleeve - the 7.7 mm defensive gun. This weapon is mounted on a flexible mounting at the rear, and is a potent anti-aircraft weapon. In general, due to its lack of powerful guns or suspended ordnance, the F1M2 should be played more as a "heavy" fighter, utilizing its great manoeuvrability, airspawn, and defensive armament.

Naval battles:

Naval battles are the area where the F1M2 shines. Due to its floatplane design, it can easily cap bases by landing on them. When flying in this capacity, beware of any PT boats in the nearby area, and never land when there are enemy vessels close by. Though most ships at its BR have little to no heavy armament, they are still very capable of shredding a plane sitting on the water - a literal sitting duck. As well, the F1M2 can use its 7.7 mm machine guns and bombs against enemy torpedo boats, but this is generally rather ineffective. The 7.7 mm MGs are rather bad at doing heavy damage against PT boats, and the 60 kg bombs have to be dropped at extremely low altitudes in Naval RB to have good accuracy. Thus, in naval battles, it's best to play the F1M2 as an aircraft to quickly capture points.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer Pitch Radiator Supercharger Turbocharger
Oil Water Type
Controllable Controllable
Not auto controlled
Not controllable
Not auto controlled
Controllable
Not auto controlled
Combined Not controllable
1 gear
Not controllable

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Receives bomber spawn, allowing for strategic positioning and potential early attacks
  • Capable of landing on water, expanding its operational capabilities
  • Can land and take off from the ground; spawning mid-air after repairs
  • Exhibits impressive performance as a fighter, often surpassing other biplanes in combat
  • Can continue flying even if floats are damaged or destroyed
  • The center float serves as protection against attacks from below
  • Equipped with Type 97s, which are arguably the best Japanese 7.7 mm
  • Demonstrates noteworthy speed compared to aircraft it usually will face, offering a competitive advantage
  • Features takeoff, combat, and landing flaps, a rare characteristic among biplanes
  • Incorporates self-sealing fuel tanks, distinguishing it from other Japanese aircraft

Cons:

  • Lacks armor protection, leaving the aircraft vulnerable to even weak enemy fire
  • Exhibits slower turning capabilities compared to other biplanes
  • Vulnerable to I-15s and I-16s, which possess superior armament
  • Payload options are generally ineffective or lacking in utility

History


Archive of the in-game description

Mitsubishi F1M2 Type 0 (Rei Kan/Zero Kan) Observation Seaplane Model 11 (Allied reporting name: Pete)

A single-engine all-metal biplane with a main central float and two additional underwing floats. It was originally built as a catapult-launched reconnaissance floatplane specializing in gunnery spotting for battleships and heavy cruisers of the Imperial Japanese Navy.

Flight tests of the first prototype Ka-17 (F1M1) aircraft (with a Nakajima Hikari 1 engine) were performed in June 1936. The tests showed that the seaplane had multiple issues, mostly having to do with poor directional stability. In addition, the F1M1's seaworthiness was doubtful.

Two years were spent performing a serious redesign. A new central float was built for the F1M, replacing the Nakajima E8N1 hydroplane float used on the prototypes. The Nakajima Hikari engine was replaced with a more powerful Mitsubishi Zuisei 13 fourteen-cylinder double-row air-cooled engine (the same as that used for Zero fighters) with a maximum take-off power of 875 hp.

An improved version of the hydroplane, designated as the Type 0 Observation Seaplane Model 11 (F1M2), began full-scale production in 1940.

The F1M2 was armed with two 7.7 mm Type 97 Model 3a synchronized fuselage-mounted machine guns with 500 rounds each, and one more 7.7 mm Type 97 (Lewis Mk.III) machine gun with 582 rounds (6 standard magazines) was mounted in the turret in the observer's cockpit to protect the rear of the plane from attacks from above. The lower wing panels had lugs installed to suspend two 60 kg, two 30 kg, or six 20 kg bombs.

At the beginning of the Pacific War, the F1M2s took part in the Battles for the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. The seaplanes were launched from floating bases and later from battleships, cruisers, and coastlines. The Rei Kans were used as scouts, gunnery spotters, light bombers, and anti-submarine aircraft. In June 1942, they were used as dive bombers over the Aleutian Islands; they also covered the Japanese positions there from the air as sea fighters.

A total of 1,118 F1M2s were manufactured, and their production was discontinued in March 1944. The aircraft remained in service until the end of the war.


Media

Skins

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

  • reference to the series of the aircraft;
  • links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

  • topic on the official game forum;
  • other literature.


Mitsubishi Company (三菱商会)
Fighters  A5M4 · Hagiri's A5M4
  A6M2 mod. 11 · A6M2 · A6M3 · A6M3 mod. 22 · A6M3 mod. 22Ko · A6M5 · A6M5 Ko · A6M5 otsu · A6M5 Hei · A6M6c
  A7M1 (NK9H) · A7M2
  J2M2 · J2M3 · J2M4 Kai · J2M5 · J2M5 (30 mm)
Hydroplanes  F1M2
Interceptors  Ki-83 · Ki-109
Bombers  G4M1
  Ki-21-Ia · Ki-21-I hei · Ki-67-I Ko · Ki-67-I otsu
Jet Fighters  Ki-200
Captured  ▃A6M2 · ␗A6M2
See also  Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (Post-War)

Japan bombers
Navy 
Carrier-based attack bomber 
B5N  B5N2
B6N  B6N1 · B6N2 · B6N2a
B7A  B7A2 · B7A2 (Homare 23)
Carrier-based dive bomber 
D3A  D3A1
D4Y  D4Y1 · D4Y2 · D4Y3 Ko
Shipboard Observation seaplane 
F1M  F1M2
Land-based Attack bomber 
G4M  G4M1
G5N  G5N1
G8N  G8N1
Flying boat 
H6K  H6K4
H8K  H8K2 · H8K3
Land-based Bomber 
P1Y  P1Y1
Army 
Light  Ki-32
  Ki-48-II otsu
Heavy  Ki-21-Ia · Ki-21-I hei
  Ki-49-I · Ki-49-IIa · Ki-49-IIb · Ki-49-IIb/L
  Ki-67-I Ko · Ki-67-I otsu
Other countries  ▅B-17E

Ship-launched reconnaissance aircraft
USA  OS2U-1* · SOC-1
Germany  Ar 196 A-3*
USSR  KOR-1
Britain  Osprey Mk IV · Walrus Mk.I
Japan  E7K2 · E8N2 · E13A1 · F1M2*
Italy  Ro.43
France  GL.832HY · Loire 130С
  *Available standalone in tech tree