A6M2-N

A6M2-N

A5M4

N1K1

A6M2-N

A5M4

N1K1

Japan

II Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
2.7	2.3	2.0

Class:

Fighter

Hydroplane

Research:7 900

Purchase:10 000

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This page is about the aircraft A6M2-N. For other uses, see A6M (Disambiguation)

Description

The A6M2-N is a Rank II Japanese fighter hydroplane with a battle rating of 2.7 (AB), 2.3 (RB), and 2.0 (SB). It has been in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.29.

Albeit generally worse than the "normal" Zeroes, the A6M2-N still retains good climb rate, acceleration and maneuverability. It suffers from bad performance at higher altitudes, but that is rarely a problem for this plane, as high altitude engagements are rare at Battle Rating 2.3. It also has good armament for such a low Battle Rating: two x 20 mm Mk1 Type 99 cannons and two x 7.7 mm Type 97 Machine Guns. Although powerful, the guns have low shell velocity, so you should lead your target more than you think. Also, the ammo count is quite low, and the aircraft has no kind of armor or self-sealing fuel tanks, so it is best to avoid taking too many hits, as you will probably start burning from the first 7.5 mm machine gun bullet. The aircraft is designed to land on water, though like all other seaplanes, with enough care, one can land it on airfields.

General info

Encyclopedia Info

The single-seater, single-engine float seaplane fighter A6M2-N was created to cover combat operations near atolls, where the construction of airfields was often impossible.

Initially, the Kawanishi N1K1 Kyofu was planned for this purpose, but it soon became clear that Kawanishi was unable to produce the planes in sufficient quantity before the start of the war, so the navy asked Nakajima to create a float seaplane fighter. The A6M2 model 11, with non-folding wings, was chosen as a starting point. The landing gear was removed, and a large float with a built-in fuel tank installed in its place. A float was also installed under each wing for stability. The plane’s armament was left unchanged.

Despite the significantly increased aerodynamic resistance and weight, the plane was quite fast and maneuverable. 

327 of these aircraft were produced, including the original prototype, but the first A6M2-Ns barely ever took part in combat, since they were destroyed shortly after arriving at Tulagi (in the Solomon Islands) in an attack by U.S. B-17s from the 11th Bombardment Group.

They were used primarily as interceptors.

Flight Performance

Characteristics
Stock
Max Speed (km/h at 4,300 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
415	408	9100	20.9	21.1	9.3	9.3	500
Upgraded
Max Speed (km/h at 4,300 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
?	?	9100	??.?	??.?	??.?	??.?	500

Details

Features
Combat flap	Take-off flap	Landing flap	Air brakes	Arrestor gear
✓	✓	✓	X	X

Limits
Wing-break speed (km/h)	Gear limit (km/h)	Combat flap (km/h)	Max Static G
			+	-
0	550	520	~18	~15

Optimal velocities
Ailerons (km/h)	Rudder (km/h)	Elevators (km/h)	Radiator (km/h)
< 310	< 420	< 410	> 220

Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
3,560 m	935 hp	1,055 hp

Survivability and armour

• No armour plating
• No armour glazing
• Critical components located at front of aircraft (fuel, pilot, engine, controls)
• More fuel tanks located in wings near fuselage

Armaments

Offensive armament

The A6M2-N is armed with:

• 2 x 20 mm Type 99 Model 1 cannons, wing-mounted (60 rpg = 120 total)
• 2 x 7.7 mm Type 97 machine guns, nose-mounted (680 rpg = 1,360 total)

Suspended armament

      Main article: Bombs

The A6M2-N can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

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

Usage in the battles

Defensive Play

This play style is a common theme among all Japanese Zero's, due to playing aggressive and going for head on attacks is not an option (no armor, wood frame, no self sealing tanks...fires!). In saying that, you want to stick to tactics that are purely defensive and only attack when someone attacks you and not vice-versa. If you do think you can attack, make sure that the enemy is within 1 kilometer of you (2 kilometer's max) once engaged you are in that fight till the end but if the fight goes sore, remember to turn in defensive manners and only maneuver in manners that will keep you safe and leave the chaser in a disadvantage where he has to or is forced into a recovery maneuver to keep with you. But because your a float plane, it's going to be a bit hard trying to turn so speed is everything but luckily due to the weight being below the plane, downward turns are fast and quick but be warned...the neck of the main float has a oil cooler and the float itself has a massive fuel tank, so be extra careful than being in a normal Zero.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer	Pitch	Radiator			Supercharger	Turbocharger
		Oil	Water	Type
Controllable	Not controllable	Not controllable	Not controllable	Separate	Not ontrollable	Not controllable

Modules

Tier	Flight performance		Survivability	Weaponry
I	Fuselage Repair	Radiator	Offensive 7 mm	New 7 mm MGs	9 in (mod30)
II		Compressor	Airframe	Offensive 20 mm
III	Wings Repair	Engine		New 20 mm Cannons
IV		Engine Injection	Cover

• Grinding the A6M2-N will be depending what game modes that you play frequently. If it is realistic battles or simulator battles, it is best to focus on aircraft performance as you will be engaged in frequent maneuvering engagements. In arcade battles, its better to focus on firepower as most of the time you will get into head on attacks against other players.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Gets an air spawn on all maps
• Good manoeuverability
• Relatively fast
• Decent climb rate
• Powerful armament

Cons:

• Low ammo count
• No self-sealing fuel tanks
• Landing on water can be hard in certain weather conditions
• Very poor energy retention
• Very fragile

History

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Media

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Read 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.

Sources

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• topic on the official game forum;
• page on aircraft encyclopedia;
• other literature.