Difference between revisions of "A6M5 Ko"

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(Usage in battles)
(Usage in battles)
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At this rank, the Zero is outclassed by everything it faces in terms of speed. The only thing left to hang on to is its famous maneuverability. More than ever, the key is to exploit its nimbleness to force the enemy to make mistakes. Every single aircraft in this battle-rating is faster - the [[P-47N-15]] is both faster in a straight line and in a dive meaning you'll have limited oppotunities to engage given the low top speed of your aircraft, it is not common to see enemies turn fight with a Zero but most will break away and attempt to flee, your best bet here is to try and end the fight quickly with good shot placement and lead so that you can dis-engage before your target flee's so you can start to re-climb and engage new targets that approach you.
 
At this rank, the Zero is outclassed by everything it faces in terms of speed. The only thing left to hang on to is its famous maneuverability. More than ever, the key is to exploit its nimbleness to force the enemy to make mistakes. Every single aircraft in this battle-rating is faster - the [[P-47N-15]] is both faster in a straight line and in a dive meaning you'll have limited oppotunities to engage given the low top speed of your aircraft, it is not common to see enemies turn fight with a Zero but most will break away and attempt to flee, your best bet here is to try and end the fight quickly with good shot placement and lead so that you can dis-engage before your target flee's so you can start to re-climb and engage new targets that approach you.
  
The Zero's infamous reputation for catching fire after being shot by any incendiary rounds continue - the lack of armour is detrimental to the Zero meaning if you're hit, it's likely going to be fatal. This means you need to do your best to dodge all shots coming your way by utilizing the Zeros incredible maneuverability. Remember to turn into the enemy to spoil their aim. With good shot placement you can dispatch foes as they pass by due to the amazing turn time on the Zero. Then, it's a simple matter of getting onto their six and taking small, accurate bursts at your opponent. You can frustrate your enemies by constantly evading all of their attempts to force head ons or you can dive down on unsuspecting pilots who misjudge the Zero's speed potential as the Zero still has quite a good climb rate at its BR.  
+
The Zero's infamous reputation for catching fire after being shot by any incendiary rounds continue - the lack of armour is detrimental to the Zero meaning if you're hit, it's likely going to be fatal. This means you need to do your best to dodge all shots coming your way by utilizing the Zeros incredible maneuverability. Remember to turn into the enemy to spoil their aim. With good shot placement you can dispatch foes as they pass by due to the amazing turn time on the Zero. Then, it's a simple matter of getting onto their six and taking small, accurate bursts at your opponent. You can frustrate your enemies by constantly evading all of their attempts to force head ons or you can dive down on unsuspecting pilots as the Zero still has quite a good climb rate compared to other aircraft of its BR.  
  
 
=== Manual Engine Control ===
 
=== Manual Engine Control ===

Revision as of 02:27, 17 September 2020

A6M5 Ko
a6m5ko.png
A6M5 Ko
Show in game
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This page is about the Japanese gift fighter A6M5 Ko. For other uses, see A6M (Family).

Description

GarageImage A6M5 Ko.jpg


The A6M5 Ko Reisen is a gift rank IV Japanese fighter with a battle rating of 5.0 (AB), 5.3 (RB), and 4.7 (SB). It has been in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.27.

General info

Flight performance

This Zero is very similar to its predecessors, albeit slightly faster. It is still as maneuverable as ever.

Characteristics Max Speed
(km/h at 6,000 m)
Max altitude
(meters)
Turn time
(seconds)
Rate of climb
(meters/second)
Take-off run
(meters)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 521 503 10900 16.6 17.2 13.4 13.4 190
Upgraded 563 540 15.8 16.0 21.4 16.9

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear
X
Limits
Wing-break speed
(km/h)
Gear limit
(km/h)
Combat flaps
(km/h)
Max Static G
+ -
0 300 420 ~14 ~6
Optimal velocities
Ailerons
(km/h)
Rudder
(km/h)
Elevators
(km/h)
Radiator
(km/h)
< 280 < 420 < 410 > 336
Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude 100% Engine power WEP Engine power
2,500 m 1,095 hp 1,226 hp
Setting 2
Optimal altitude 100% Engine power WEP Engine power
5,000 m 965 hp 1,081 hp

Survivability and armour

  • No Armor Protection
  • Not Self-Sealing Fuel Tanks

Armaments

Offensive armament

The A6M5 Ko is armed with:

  • 2 x 20 mm Type 99 Model 2 navy cannons, wing-mounted (125 rpg = 250 total)
  • 2 x 7.7 mm Type 97 navy machine guns, nose-mounted (700 rpg = 1,400 total)

Suspended armament

The A6M5 Ko can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

  • Without load
  • 2 x 60 kg Navy Type 97 Number 6 bombs (120 kg total)
  • 1 x 250 kg Navy Type Number 25 Model 2 bomb (250 kg total)

Usage in battles

At this rank, the Zero is outclassed by everything it faces in terms of speed. The only thing left to hang on to is its famous maneuverability. More than ever, the key is to exploit its nimbleness to force the enemy to make mistakes. Every single aircraft in this battle-rating is faster - the P-47N-15 is both faster in a straight line and in a dive meaning you'll have limited oppotunities to engage given the low top speed of your aircraft, it is not common to see enemies turn fight with a Zero but most will break away and attempt to flee, your best bet here is to try and end the fight quickly with good shot placement and lead so that you can dis-engage before your target flee's so you can start to re-climb and engage new targets that approach you.

The Zero's infamous reputation for catching fire after being shot by any incendiary rounds continue - the lack of armour is detrimental to the Zero meaning if you're hit, it's likely going to be fatal. This means you need to do your best to dodge all shots coming your way by utilizing the Zeros incredible maneuverability. Remember to turn into the enemy to spoil their aim. With good shot placement you can dispatch foes as they pass by due to the amazing turn time on the Zero. Then, it's a simple matter of getting onto their six and taking small, accurate bursts at your opponent. You can frustrate your enemies by constantly evading all of their attempts to force head ons or you can dive down on unsuspecting pilots as the Zero still has quite a good climb rate compared to other aircraft of its BR.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer Pitch Radiator Supercharger Turbocharger
Oil Water Type
Controllable Controllable
Not auto controlled
Controllable
Not auto controlled
Controllable
Not auto controlled
Separate Controllable
2 gears
Not controllable

Modules

Tier Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
I Fuselage repair Radiator Offensive 7 mm
II Compressor Airframe New 7 mm MGs 9 in (mod30)
III Wings repair Engine Offensive 20 mm
IV Engine injection Cover New 20 mm cannons 12 in (mod30)
This is a premium vehicle: all modifications are unlocked on purchase

Pros and cons

Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".

Pros:

  • Effective at altitudes below 6,000 feet (1,800 meters)
  • Type 99 Model 2, 20mm cannons do considerable amount of damage to all aircraft .
  • Type 97 Machine guns have a fast velocity with an abundance of ammo allowing for easy ranging in RB and SB without need to regulate the ammo.
  • The high torque engine and low weight of the aircraft allow for exceptional turning radius fast rate of climb, and above average stall recovery for even the newest of pilots.
  • The A6M5 Ko platform rewards the pilot who can use tactics such as Yo-Yo's and Immelmann's and allows newer pilots to perform advanced maneuvers above their skill.

Cons:

  • Ineffective above 10,000 feet (3,000 meters)
  • Slower than nearly any other aircraft making you the one being attacked more often then you attack others.
  • The plane is fragile compared to others at it's tier and prone to catching on fire.
  • Newer pilots who do not have defensive skills can find the plane frustrating due to it being vulnerable to faster planes that "boom and zoom".
  • The Type 97 Machine Guns lack damage, newer pilots who do not have cannons and machine-guns bound to different buttons will run out of cannons quickly and be left with a plane that cannot reliably damage enemies.

History

In-game description

Mitsubishi Type 0 Model 52 "Kou" (A6M5 Model 52a, reporting names: Zeke/Hamp/Zero) single-engine carrier-based fighter

In the middle of 1942, the Allies in the Pacific Ocean Theatre took the offensive, while the Japanese were more and more often on the defensive. In 1943, new types of high-speed fighters entered service with the USAAF and the USNAF, and they outperformed the Zeros in many respects. Low survivability, the main disadvantage of the Japanese aircraft, was made clear in the fierce air duels between the planes. The fighter's flight characteristics also required some improvement, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries designers began to upgrade the A6M again in August 1943.

The Zero received a smaller-area wing (with a span of only 11 m) with rounded tips. The wing folding mechanism was removed. To increase the plane's allowable diving speed, its wing surface skin was reinforced.

Since more powerful engines were not yet available, the designers had to make the most of a Nakajima Sakae 21 engine. Every pair of cylinders was given an individual exhaust pipe instead of a common heavy exhaust manifold. This added exhaust gas thrust to the propeller thrust, which resulted in a higher aircraft speed. The fuselage skin had to be reinforced with steel sheets in the area of the pipes, since the hot exhaust gases quickly burned through thin duralumin.

The new version of the aircraft was designated Model 52 (A6M5 Model 52). The plane became slightly heavier, but its maximum speed at a height of 6,000 m reached 565 km/h. This was the speed limit for the Zero, since all further modifications made to the machine only increased its weight and, consequently, reduced its maximum speed.

The next stage in upgrading the Zero was the Model 52 "Kou" (A6M5a Model 52a). This improvement significantly reinforced the plane's armament by replacing the wing-mounted Type 99-2 Model 3 drum-fed cannons (with 100 rounds each) with Type 99-2 Model 4 belt-fed cannons (with 125 rounds). This added 25 rounds per cannon and slightly improved the plane's rate of fire. Now the fighter's armament consisted of two synchronous 7.7 mm Type 97 machine guns with 500 rounds each plus two wing-mounted 20 mm Type 99-2 Model 4 cannons with 125 rounds each.

The A6M5a fighter could carry bombs: two 60 kg (132 lb) bombs suspended under the wing and one weighing 250 kg (551 kb) under the fuselage.

In addition, the A6M5a's wing structure was reinforced yet again, which resulted in a maximum allowable diving speed of 740 km/h. However, this was still inferior to the diving speed of the American F4U fighter.

Mass production of the A6M5a variant began in March 1944. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries manufactured 391 machines. An additional unknown quantity of this variant was built by Nakajima Aircraft.

Media

Skin and Camouflages for the A6M5 Ko in War Thunder Live.

See also

Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

External links


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 fighters
Navy 
Carrier-based fighter 
A5M  A5M4 · Hagiri's A5M4
A6M  A6M2 mod. 11 · A6M2 · A6M3 · A6M3 mod. 22 · A6M3 mod. 22Ko · A6M5 · A6M5 Ko · A6M5 otsu · A6M5 Hei · A6M6c
A7He  A7He1*
A7M  A7M1 (NK9H) · A7M2
Land-based Fighter 
J2M  J2M2 · J2M3 · J2M4 Kai · J2M5 · J2M5 (30 mm)
J6K  J6K1
J7W  J7W1
N1K-J  N1K1-Ja · N1K2-J · N1K2-Ja
Fighter seaplane 
N1K  N1K1
A6M-N  A6M2-N
Army 
Ki-10  Ki-10-I · Ki-10-I C · Ki-10-II · Ki-10-II C
Ki-27  Ki-27 otsu · Ki-27 otsu Tachiarai
Ki-43  Ki-43-I · Ki-43-II · Ki-43-III otsu
Ki-44  Ki-44-I · Ki-44-I 34 · Ki-44-II otsu · Ki-44-II hei
Ki-61  Ki-61-I ko · Ki-61-I otsu · Ki-61-I hei · Tada's Ki-61-I hei · Ki-61-I tei · Ki-61-II Otsu Kai
Ki-84  Ki-84 ko · Ki-84 otsu · Ki-84 hei
Ki-87  Ki-87
Ki-94  Ki-94-II
Ki-100  Ki-100 · Ki-100-II
Other countries  ▅F4U-1A · ▅P-51C-11-NT · ▅Bf 109 E-7 · ▅Fw 190 A-5
  *Imported designation of the He 112 (A6M was in development - A7M would take A7 designation after the cancelation of the A7He)

Japan premium aircraft
Fighters  Hagiri's A5M4 · A7He1 · Ki-27 otsu Tachiarai
  Ki-44-II otsu · ▅Bf 109 E-7 · ▅F4U-1A · Ki-100-II · Ki-44-I 34
  ▅Fw 190 A-5 · A7M1 (NK9H) · Tada's Ki-61-I hei · ▅P-51C-11-NT
  J2M4 Kai · A6M5 Ko · A6M6c · J2M5 · Ki-87 · J6K1
Twin-engine fighters  Ki-96
Jet fighters  F-86F-40 JASDF▅ · T-2 Early · F-4EJ ADTW
Bombers  Ki-21-I hei · Ki-48-II otsu · H8K3 · B7A2 (Homare 23) · ▅B-17E