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4. Japan

4.1 Aircraft

4.1.1 WWII Aircraft designation systems

The designations of Japanese military aircraft are simple; the situation becomes complicated only because the Navy and the Army each had two systems.

Officially, Japanese naval aircraft were indicated by a description of their function and a number, according to the year the production started. The A6M was called Carrier-borne Fighter Type 0 because in entered service in the Japanese year 2600 (1940). A model number was used to indicate the versions. From the mid-thirties two-digit model numbers were used; the first digit indicated the airframe, the second digit the engine. In 1943 the numbering system was abandoned, because it was too informative about the year of service entry of an aircraft. From then aircraft were referred to by their names.

In the late '20s the Imperial Japanese Navy introduced a short designation system for its aircraft, very similar to that of its oppononent, the USN. This system had:

• A function letter

• A sequential number for aircaft with this function letter. Numbers are sequential in the sense that a number is assigned to each requirement; aircraft have the same numbers (E11A, E11K) if they were built to the same requirement.

• A manufacturer letter.

• A number to indicate the subtype

• Sometimes a letter to indicate a minor subtype.

• If a version of the aircraft was developed with another function, the appropriate letter was apppended to the designation, with a dash. For example, the N1K1-J was a landplane version of a fighter seaplane.

Function letters used by the Japanese Navy:

|A |Carrier-borne fighter |

|B |Carrier-borne (Torpedo) bomber |

|C |Reconaissance, wheeled undercarriage |

|D |Carrier-borne Dive bomber |

|E |Reconaissance seaplane |

|F |Observation seaplane |

|G |Land-based bomber |

|H |Flying boat |

|J |Land-based fighter |

|K |Trainer |

|L |Transport |

|M |Special seaplane |

|MX |Special purpose |

|N |Fighter seaplane |

|P |Bomber |

|Q |Patrol |

|R |Land-based reconaissance |

|S |Night fighter |

Manufacturer letters used by the Japanese Navy:

|A |Aichi |

|D |Showa |

|H |Hiro |

|K |Kawanishi |

|M |Mitsubishi |

|N |Nakajima |

|P |Nihon |

|V |Seversky |

|W |Watanabe |

|W |Kyushu |

|Y |Yokosuka (Naval Arsenal) |

The official designation system of the Japanes Army also used year numbers, similar to the IJN system except that the year 2600 was referred to as year 100, not 0. Simple model numbers were used with alphabetical suffixes.

The Japanese Army from 1932 onwards numbered aircraft that had been built to its requirements in the 'Ki' (Kitai, airframe) series with a simple sequential system -- until 1944, when anomalies were introduced for security reasons. An exception was made later for gliders, that were given 'Ku' (Guraida) numbers. Aircraft that were not designed to an Army requirement were not given Ki numbers, as the Ka-1 and the LO. Different versions of an aircraft were indicated with Roman numerals, and minor modifications were indicated with the Ko, Otsu,... sequence of suffixes. But a major modififaction would be indicated with a Kaizo symbol, normally transliterated as KAI.

The letter sequence used for minor modifications is Ko, Otsu, Hei, Tei, Bo, Ki, Ko, Shin, Jin and Ki -- the first and seven are different characters in writing. They have no real alphabetic or numerical significance and are more akin to North, South, East, West in idea. Only the first four were commonly used.

4.1.2 Allied Code Names

List of allied code names for Japanese WWII aircraft. General rules (not always followed) were:

1. Fighters and reconaissance seaplanes have boy's names.

2. Bombers, dive-bombes, torpedo-bombers, seaplanes and reconaissance aircraft were given girl's names.

3. Transport aircraft were given girl's names beginning with T.

4. Trainers were given the names of trees.

5. Gliders were given the names of birds.

|Abdul |Nakajima Ki.27 (Unofficial) |

|Adam |Nakajima SKT-97. Did not exist. |

|Alf |Kawanishi E7K |

|Ann |Mitsubishi Ki.30 |

|Babs |Mitsubishi C5M |

|Babs |Mitsubishi Ki.15 |

|Belle |Kawanishi H3K |

|Ben |Nagoya-Sento KI-001. Did not exist. |

|Bess |Heinkel He 111. Not in Japanese service. |

|Betty |Mitsubishi G4M |

|Betty |Mitsubishi G6M |

|Bob |Aichi 97 seapleane. Did not exist. |

|Bob |Kawasaki Ki.28 |

|Cedar |Tachikawa Ki.17 |

|Cherry |Yokosuka H5Y |

|Clara |Tachikwawa Ki.70 |

|Claude |Mitsubishi A5M |

|Cypress |Kyushu K9W |

|Dave |Nakajima E8N |

|Dick |Seversky A8V |

|Dinah |Mitsubishi Ki.46 |

|Doc |Messerschmitt Bf 110. Not in Japanese service. |

|Doris |Mitsubishi B-97. Did not exist. |

|Edna |Mitsubishi Ki.71 |

|Emily |Kawanishi H8K |

|Eva |Not a military aircraft. |

|Eve |Not a military aircraft. |

|Frances |Yokosuka P1Y Ginga / Kyokko |

|Frank |Mitsubihi TK-4. Did not exist. |

|Frank |Nakajima Ki.84 Hayate |

|Fred |Focke-Wulf Fw 190. Not in Japanese service. |

|Gander |Kokusai Ku-8. |

|George |Kawanishi N1K1-J and N1K2-J |

|Glenn |Yokosuka E14Y |

|Goose |Kokusai Ku-8 |

|Grace |Aichi B7A Ryusei |

|Gus |Nakajima AT-27. Did not exist. |

|Hamp |Mitsubishi A6M Reisen with clipped wing tips. |

|Hap |Mitsubishi A6M Reisen with clipped wing tips, renamed 'Hamp'. |

|Hank |Aichi E10A |

|Harry |Mitsubishi TK-4. Did not exist. |

|Helen |Nakajima Ki.49 Donryu |

|Hickory |Tachikawa Ki.54 |

|Ida |Tachikawa Ki.36 |

|Ida |Tachikawa Ki.55 |

|Ione |Aichi AI-104. Did not exist. |

|Irene |Junkers Ju 87. Not in Japanese service. |

|Irving |Nakajima J1N Gekko |

|Jack |Mitsubishi J2M Raiden |

|Jake |Aichi E13A |

|Janice |Junkers Ju 88. Not in Japanese service. |

|Jean |Yokosuka B4Y |

|Jerry |Heinkel He 112. |

|Jill |Nakajima B6N |

|Jim |Nakajima Ki.43 (unofficial) |

|Joe |TK-19. Did not exist. |

|Joyce |Tachikawa. Did not exist. |

|Judy |Yokosuka D4Y |

|Julia |Type 97 heavy bomber. Did not exist. (Was Ki.48) |

|June |Seaplane version of Aichi D3A. Did not exist. (Was E13A.) |

|Kate |Nakajima B5N |

|Kate 61 |Mitsubishi B5M |

|Laura |Aichi E11A |

|Lily |Kawasaki Ki.48 |

|Liz |Nakajima G5N |

|Loise |Mitsubishi Ki-2 |

|Lorna |Kyushu Q1W Tokai |

|Louise |Mitsubishi Ki-2 |

|Luke |Mitsubishi J4M |

|Mabel |Mitsubishi B5M |

|Mavis |Kawanishi H6K |

|Mike |Messerschmitt Bf 109. Not in Japanese service. |

|Millie |Vultee VG-11. Not in Japanese service. |

|Myrt |Nakajima C6N Saiun |

|Nate |Nakajima Ki.27 |

|Nell |Mitsubishi G3M |

|Nick |Kawasaki Ki.45 Toryu |

|Norm |Kawanishi E15K Shiun |

|Norma |Type 97 light bomber. Did not exist. (Was Ki-15) |

|Oak |Kawanishi K10W |

|Omar |Suzukaze 20. Did not exist. |

|Oscar |Nakajima Ki.43 Hayabusa |

|Pat |Tachikawa Ki.74 |

|Patsy |Tachikawa Ki.74 |

|Paul |Aichi E16A Zuiun |

|Peggy |Mitsubishi Ki.67 |

|Perry |Kawasaki Ki.10 |

|Pete |Mitsubishi F1M |

|Pine |Mitsubishi K3M |

|Randy |Kawasaki Ki.102 |

|Ray |Mitsubishi Type 1. Did not exist. (Was A6M) |

|Rex |Kawanishi N1K Kyofu |

|Rita |Nakajima G8N Renzan |

|Rob |Kawasaki Ki.64 |

|Rufe |Nakajima A6M, floatplane version of the A6M 'Zeke'. |

|Ruth |Fiat BR 20 |

|Sally |Mitsubishi Ki.21 |

|Sam |Mitsubishi A7M Reppu |

|Slim |Watanabe E9W |

|Sonia |Mitsubishi Ki.51 |

|Spruce |Tachikawa Ki.9 |

|Stella |Kokusai Ki.76 |

|Susie |Aichi D1A |

|Tabby |Showa / Nakajima L2D. |

|Tess |Douglas DC-2 |

|Thalia |Kawasaki Ki.56 |

|Thelma |Tachikawa LO |

|Theresa |Kokusai Ki.59 |

|Thora |Nakajima Ki.34 |

|Tina |Mitsubishi L3Y |

|Toby |Lockheed 14 |

|Tojo |Nakajima Ki.44 Shoki |

|Tony |Kawasaki Ki.61 Hien |

|Topsy |Kawasaki Ki.57 |

|Trixie |Junkers Ju 52/3m. Not in Japanese service. |

|Trudy |Focke Wulf Fw 200. Not in Japanese service. |

|Val |Aichi D3A |

|Willow |Yokosuka K5Y |

|Zeke |Mitsubishi A6M Reisen |

4.1.3 Translations of Japanese Names

List of Japanese names of aircraft, aircraft carriers, and engines.

|Akagi |A mountain near Tokyo. |

|Akikusa |Autumn Grass |

|Amagi |Castle in the Sky (Also a mountain. Amagi was laid down as a battleship) |

|Asakaze |Morning Wind |

|Atsuta |Hot Rice Paddy (Geographical?) |

|Byakko |White Light |

|Chitose |Thousand Years |

|Chiyoda |Thousand Generations |

|Chuyo |Middle Sea |

|Denko |Lightning Bolt |

|Donryu |Storm Dragon |

|Fugaku |Mount Fuji |

|Funryu |Raging Dragon |

|Gekko |Moonlight |

|Ginga |Milky Way |

|Hayabusa |Peregrine Falcon |

|Hayate |Gale |

|Hien |Swallow |

|Hikari |Light |

|Hiryu |Flying Dragon |

|Hiyo |Bright Sea |

|Homare |Honour |

|Hosho |Flying Phoenix |

|Jinrai |Thunderclap |

|Junyo |Deep Sea |

|Kaga |A Japanese province. |

|Kamikaze |Divine Wind |

|Karigane |Wild Goose |

|Kasei |Mars |

|Katsuragi |Eternity |

|Kayo |Eternal Sea |

|Keiun |Beautiful Cloud |

|Kikka |Orange Blossom |

|Kinsei |Golden Star |

|Kotobuki |Congratulation |

|Kyofu |Mighty Wind |

|Kyokko |Aurora |

|Mamoru |Protector |

|Manazuru |Crane |

|Momiji |Maple |

|Myojo |Venus |

|Nankai |South Sea |

|Nanzan |Southern Mountain |

|Ohtori |Phoenix |

|Ohka |Cherry Blossom |

|Raiden |Thunderbolt |

|Reisen |Zero Fighter, contraction of 'Rei Shiki Sentoki' |

|Renzan |Mountain Range |

|Reppu |Hurricane |

|Ryuho |Mythological Dragon |

|Ryujo |Sacred Dragon |

|Ryusei |Shooting Star |

|Saiun |Painted Cloud |

|Sakae |Prosperity |

|Seiran |Mountain Haze |

|Shoho |Flying Bird |

|Shoki |Demon Queller |

|Shiden |Violet Lightning |

|Shinden |Magnificent Lightning |

|Shinyo |Holy Sea |

|Shinzan |Mountain Recess |

|Shiragiku |White Chrysanthemum |

|Shiun |Violet Cloud |

|Shokaku |Flying Crane |

|Shusui |Sword Stroke |

|Soryu |Deep Blue Dragon |

|Suisei |Comet |

|Taiho |Mythological Bird |

|Taiyo |Spirit of the Ocean |

|Tempu |Heavenly Wind |

|Tenzan |Heavenly Mountain |

|Tokai |Eastern Sea |

|Toryu |Dragon Slayer |

|Tsurugi |Sword |

|Unryu |Dragon in the clouds |

|Unyo |Sea of Clouds |

|Zuiho |Auspicious Bird |

|Zuikaku |Auspicious Crane |

|Zuisei |Holy Star |

|Zuiun |Auspicious Cloud |

4.1.4 Type Numbers List

|Navy Type 0 Carrier Fighter |A6M Reisen, Mitsubishi 'Zeke' |

|Navy Type 0 Observation Seaplane |F1M, Mitsubishi 'Pete' |

|Navy Type 0 Primary Trainer Seaplane |K8K, Kawanishi |

|Navy Type 0 Reconnaissance Floatplane |E13A, Aichi 'Jake' |

|Navy Type 0 Small Reconnaissance Seaplane |E14Y, Yokosuka 'Glenn' |

|Navy Type 0 Transport Aircraft |L2D, Showa / Nakajima 'Tabby' |

|Army Type 1 Advanced Trainer |Ki.54, Tachikawa 'Hickory' |

|Army Type 1 Fighter |Ki.43 Hayabusa, Nakajima 'Oscar' |

|Army Type 1 Freight Transport |Ki.56, Kawasaki 'Thalia' |

|Army Type 1 Transport Aircraft |Ki.59, Kokusai 'Theresa' |

|Navy Type 1 Attack Bomber |G4M, Mitsubishi 'Betty' |

|Navy Type 1 Attack Bomber Ground Decoy |MXY11, Yokosuka |

|Navy Type 1 Wing-tip Convoy fighter |G6M, Mitsubishi 'Betty' |

|Army Type 2 Single-seat Fighter |Ki.44 Shoki, Nakajima 'Tojo' |

|Army Type 2 Two-Seat Fighter |Ki.45 Toryu, Kawasaki 'Nick' |

|Navy Type 2 Floatplane Fighter |A6M, Nakajima 'Rufe' |

|Navy Type 2 Intermediate Trainer |K10W, Kawanishi 'Oak' |

|Navy type 2 Primary Trainer |K9W Momiji, Kyushu 'Cypress' |

|Navy Type 2 Training Flying Boat |H9A, Aichi |

|Army Type 3 Command Liaison Aircraft |Ki.76, Kokusai 'Stella' |

|Army Type 3 Fighter |Ki.61 Hien, Kawasaki 'Tony' |

|Navy Type 3 Carrier-borne Fighter |A1N, Nakajima |

|Navy Type 3 Primary Trainer |K2Y, Yokosuka |

|Army Type 4 Assault Aircraft |Ki.102, Kawasaki 'Randy' |

|Army Type 4 Fighter |Ki.84 Hayate, Nakajima 'Frank' |

|Army Type 4 Heavy Bomber |Ki.67 Hiryu, Mitsubishi 'Peggy' |

|Army Type 4 Large Transport Glider |Ku.8, Kokusai 'Gander' or 'Goose' |

|Army Type 4 Primary Trainer |Ki.86, Kokusai |

|Army Type 5 Fighter |Ki.100, Kawasaki |

|Navy Type 10 Carrier Fighter |1MF5, Mitsubishi |

|Navy Type 10 Carrier Reconnaissance Aircraft |C1M, Mitsubishi |

|Navy Type 10 Carrier Reconnaissance Biplane |2MR, Mitsubishi |

|Navy Type 13 Carrier Attack Aircraft |B1M, Mitsubishi |

|Navy Type 13 Trainer Seaplane |K1Y, Yokosuka |

|Navy Type 14 Reconnaissance Floatplane |E1Y, Yokosuka |

|Navy Type 15 Reconnaissance Seaplane |E2N, Nakajima |

|Navy Type 15 Flying Boat |H1H, Hiro |

|Army Type 87 Heavy Bomber |Do N, Dornier |

|Army Type 88 Reconnaissance Aircraft |KDA-2, Kawasaki |

|Navy Type 89 Carrier Attack Aircraft |B2M, Mitsubishi |

|Navy Type 89 Flying Boat |H2H, Hiro |

|Navy Type 90 Carrier Fighter |A2N, Nakajima |

|Navy Type 90-1 Reconnaissance Seaplane |E3A, Aichi |

|Navy Type 90-2 Reconnaissance Seaplane |E4N, Nakajima |

|Navy Type 90-3 Reconnaissance Seaplane |E5K, Kawanishi |

|Navy Type 90-1 Flying Boat |H3H, Hiro |

|Navy Type 90-2 Flying Boat |H3K, Kawanishi |

|Navy Type 90 Crew Trainer |K3M, Mitsubishi 'Pine' |

|Navy Type 90 Training Seaplane |K4Y, Yokosuka |

|Navy Type 91 Flying Boat |H4H, Hiro |

|Navy Type 91 Reconnaissance Seaplane |E6Y, Yokosuka |

|Army Type 92 Fighter |KDA-5, Kawasaki |

|Army Type 92 Reconnaissance Aircraft |2MR8, Mitsubishi |

|Army Type 92 Very Heavy Bomber |Ki.20, Mitsubishi |

|Army Type 93-1 Twin-engined Light Bomber |Ki.1, Mitsubishi |

|Army Type 93-2 Twin-engined Light Bomber |Ki.2, Mitsubishi |

|Navy Type 93 Attack Bomber |G1M, Mitsubishi |

|Navy Type 93 Intermediate trainer |K5Y, Yokosuka 'Willow' |

|Army Type 94 Reconnaissance Aircraft |Ki.4, Nakajima |

|Navy Type 94 Carrier Bomber |D1A1, Aichi 'Susie' |

|Navy Type 94 Reconnaissance Seaplane |E7K, Kawanishi 'Alf' |

|Navy Type 94 Transport Deaplane |E10K, Kawanishi |

|Army Type 95-1 Medium Grade Trainer |Ki.9, Tachikawa 'Spruce' |

|Army Type 95 Fighter |Ki.10, Kawasaki 'Perry' |

|Army Type 95-3 Primary Trainer |Ki.17, Tachikawa 'Cedar' |

|Navy Type 95 Attack Bomber |G2H, Hiro |

|Navy Type 95 Carrier-borne Fighter |A4N, Nakajima |

|Navy Type 95 Reconnaissance Floatplane |E8N, Nakajima 'Dave' |

|Navy Type 95 Reconnaissance Floatplane |E10A, Aichi 'Hank' |

|Navy Type 96 Attack Bomber |G3M, Mitsubishi 'Nell' |

|Navy Type 96 Carrier Bomber |D1A2, Aichi 'Susie' |

|Navy Type 96 Carrier Fighter |A5M, Mitsubishi 'Claude' |

|Navy Type 96 Carrier Attack Bomber |B4Y, Yokosuka 'Jean' |

|Navy Type 96 Small Reconnaissance Seaplane |E9W, Watanabe 'Slim' |

|Navy Type 96 Transport Aircraft |L3Y, Mitsubishi / Yokosuka 'Tina' |

|Army Type 97 Command Reconnaissance Aircraft |Ki.15, Mitsubishi 'Babs' |

|Army Type 97 Fighter |Ki.27, Nakajima 'Nate' |

|Army Type 97 Heavy Bomber |Ki.21, Mitsubishi 'Sally' |

|Army Type 97 Light Bomber |Ki.30, Mitsubishi 'Ann' |

|Army Type 97 Transport Aircraft |Ki.34, Nakajima 'Thora' |

|Navy Type 97 Carrier Attack Bomber |B5M, Mitsubishi 'Mabel' or 'Kate 61' |

|Navy Type 97 Carrier Attack Bomber |B5N, Nakajima 'Kate' |

|Navy Type 97 Carrier Reconnaissance |C3N, Nakajima |

|Navy Type 97 Large Flying Boat |H6K, Kawanishi 'Mavis' |

|Army Type 98 Close Support Aircraft |Ki.36, Tachikawa 'Ida' |

|Army Type 98 Single-engined Light Bomber |Ki.32, Kawasaki 'Mary' |

|Navy Type 98 Reconnaissance Aircraft |C5M, Mitsubishi 'Babs' |

|Navy Type 98 Reconnaissance Floatplane |E11A, Aichi 'Laura' |

|Army Type 99 Advanced Trainer |Ki.55, Tachikawa 'Ida' |

|Army Type 99 Assault Aircraft |Ki.51, Mitsubishi 'Sonia' |

|Army Type 99 Twin-engined light bomber |Ki.48, Kawasaki 'Lily' |

|Navy Type 99 Bomber Trainer |D3Y Myojo, Yokosuka |

|Navy Type 99 Carrier Bomber |D3A, Aichi 'Val' |

|Navy Type 99 Flying Boat |H5Y, Yokosuka 'Cherry' |

|Army Type 100 Command Reconnaissance Aircraft |Ki.46, Mitsubishi 'Dinah' |

|Army Type 100 Heavy bomber |Ki.49 Donryu, Nakajima 'Helen' |

|Army Type 100 Transport Aircraft. |Ki.57, Kawasaki 'Topsy' |

|Navy Type He Air Defence Fighter |A7He, Heinkel |

|Navy Type S Two-Seat Fighter |A8V, Seversky 'Dick' |

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