Simple question for Jap buffs

RE: Thanks

Even if I prefer the Grumman planes (especially a more modern one with swing-wing), I think i can answer this.

I assume you talk about the Aichi “Val” dive bomber.

If so, it has an arrestor hook. And the *Vals* in Tora Tora Tora did not use a hook for one reason, they were in fact Vultee BT13 modified to look like Vals.

There seems to be arrestor cabes on japanese carriers, 3 + a barrier in front and 3 behind the island.

Frank

Thanks

Finally managed to get the definitive answer by looking on my own bookshelf

Janes Fighting Aircraft of WW2 has the Zeke, Val and Kate listed.

In the ‘undercarriage’ section it does detail that each of these has a hook. Unlike allied practice the mount in front of the tailwheel, and in the case of the two retractable aircraft are concealed within the fuselage in flight. The Val retracts tightly against the fuselage, but is just visible.

I was originally wondering if the aircraft had such a slow approach speed that they didn’t need the wires.

Cheers,

Moggy

RE: Simple question for Jap buffs

I remember building an A6M5 zero, that had an arrestor hook… anything earlier than that, I don’t know about… good question though!!

RE: Simple question for Jap buffs

If my memory recalls, I made an Airfix Aichi Val model about thirty years ago that had the arrestor hook. Since this was one of the principal aircraft involved in Pearl Harbour, I do believe that these hooks were operationally functional.

RE: Simple question for Jap buffs

I built a model of a Zero a while back,and this had an arrestor hook fitted,so presumably they were used to some extent.If you watch Tora Tora Tora,it shows the Jap aircraft recovering to the carriers without arrestor gear,but this could be explained by the huge size of the more modern aircraft carriers they used for the filming.

RE: Simple question for Jap buffs

Hi Moggy, What a cracker of a question! I’ve always just assumed that they had. I went to my library to find a piccie of a Japanese Navy aircraft with a hook – but there were non to be found!! I did find statements on some aircraft saying that they had to be used from land bases only because their landing speeds were too high for carrier landings. This leads me to the conclusion that the Japanese Imperial Navy did not use the arrestor hook, which is a big surprise! So is there anyone out there who has a definitive answer?

KeithMac

RE: Simple question for Jap buffs

While I do not know for certain, common sense leads me to believe that an arrester system of some sort was the only viable method of landing a plane on a short deck.

Is there any other viable method of taking non-rotary type caft aboard a ship?

Scott

Hah! Not so simple huh?

Come on guys, somebody must know.

Moggy