A5M4

A5M4

F1M2

A6M2-N

A5M4

F1M2

A6M2-N

Japan

I Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
1.3	1.3	1.3

Class:

Fighter

Naval aircraft

Research:4 000

Purchase:2 100

Show in game

Description

The A5M4 is a Rank I Japanese naval fighter with a battle rating of 1.3. It was in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.29.

General info

Flight Performance

Stat card

Characteristics
Stock
Max Speed (km/h at 2,900 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
429	422	9,800	12.7	13.4	8.1	9.9	325
Upgraded
Max Speed (km/h at 2,900 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
466	447	9,800	12.1	12.3	19.7	12.8	325

Details

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

Limits
Wing-break speed (km/h)	Gear limit (km/h)	Combat flap (km/h)	Max Static G
			+	-
558	558	N/A	~21	~8

Optimal velocities
Ailerons (km/h)	Rudder (km/h)	Elevators (km/h)	Radiator (km/h)
< 280	< 320	< 360	> 180

Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
2,000 m	690 hp	787 hp

Engine performance

Engine
Engine Name			Number present
Nakajima Kotobuki 41 9-cylinder			1
Engine characteristics
Weight (each)		Type	Cooling
350 kg		Radial	Air
Engine power (Stock)
Mode	Max		Take-off
Arcade	557 hp		656 hp
Realistic/Simulator	551 hp		650 hp
Engine power (Upgraded)
Mode	Max		Take-off
Arcade	700 hp		799 hp
Realistic/Simulator	619 hp		718 hp

WEP Duration
Arcade		Realistic/Simulator
25 seconds		Infinite

Survivability and armour

Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured. Describe the armour, if there is any, also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.

Armaments

The A5M4 is armed with:

• 2 × 7.7 mm Type 89 machine gun, nose-mounted (500 rpg = 1,000 total)

Usage in the battles

Fighter role, staying low and using the extremely quick turn times to get on the tail on the enemy is essential. Keep an eye on ammo levels and well as the surrounding, this is a extremely weak aircraft in terms of armour. It is relatively fast in a straight line, but not as quick as much of the opposition it will be facing in game. It is recommended to use the speed against biplanes as their turn times are nearly matched if not better as a monoplane.

Realistic battles

The A5M4 can accelerate to 350 km/h in just less than a minutes time from takeoff. Will climb up to 2500 m in around one minute and fifty seconds time when climbing in a 20 degree angle. Dive speeds are decent as the A5M4 will exceed 550 km/h in an 80 degree angle from just 2500 m height. Be careful though, once the A5M4 reaches 560 km/h, the plane will violently shake about and if the throttle isn't cut, the plane wings may rip off. Though speed can be gained in the dive, the energy is not easily retained, taking only a minute or so to fall to back to the maximum speed of 380 km/h with WEP or 360 km/h without.

Decent horse power with the typical Japanese light aircraft would give the idea that the plane would be great in the vertical axis dog fighting. With a problem with keeping constant fuel flow as the plane changes angle on its vertical access means it is better stick with horizontal dog fighting which isn't a bad thing as will outturn most all contemporary aircraft.

Simulator mode procedures

Hands-off carrier take-off (Auto engine control): Ignite engine, flaps: raised, elevator trim: 6% up, aileron trim: 0%, rudder trim: 21% right, WEP throttle, hands off controls until the plane lifts off the carrier.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer	Pitch	Radiator			Supercharger	Turbocharger
		Oil	Water	Type
Controllable	Controllable Not automatic pitch	Controllable	Not controllable	Combined	Not controllable	Not controllable

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Great turn time
• Good Visibility (In cockpit view.)
• Low stall speed

Cons:

• No armour
• Poor pilot protection
• Low top speed (Due to fixed landing gear.)
• Poor gun cooling (easily jams from continuous fire.)
• Suffers from fuel starvation problems (RB/SB)

Media

Skin and Camouflages for the A5M4 in Warthunder Live.

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.

ETC.

Sources

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

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