World War II Database

1. Ashita Kanawa says:
4 May 2009 04:42:39 AM

this aircraft had 2 20mm guns and 2 7.7mm machineguns as weaponry.

2.  Bill says:
18 Apr 2010 02:21:15 PM

Evaluation of the A6M2-N was rushed at
Yokosuka in the spring of 1942.
The rudder area was modified removing the
A6M2 tail cone and provided more control
area.
Production of the "Rufe" started in April of
1942. Over one hundred were built during the
next nine months.
At the end of World War II, the French used
the A6M2-N in Indo-China, along with other captured Japanese aircraft.

3.  Bill says:
18 Apr 2010 03:28:16 PM

One "Rufe" exists today, its intact,original
and unrestored, at the Pacific War Museum in
Fredricksburg, Texas, USA.
The museum located behind the Admiral Nimitz Museum, on Main Street.
Armament: 2x7.7mm machine-guns in the upper
fuselage decking, and 2x20mm type 99 cannons
in the wings.
External load: 2x60kg bombs, one attachment on each wing.

4.  Bill says:
5 Jan 2012 07:10:14 PM

After the Japanese surrender in August 1945
the French operatd captured Nakajima A6M2-N
"Rufe" floatplane fighter passed on by the British and operated by Escadrille 8S near Saigon, Indochina in December 1945.
The "Rufe" was lost in an accident shortly after it was overhauled.
the French, operated Aichi E13A1 "Jake" three-seat floatplanes they survived a little longer in service than the "Oscars"

5.  Bill says:
5 Dec 2016 11:40:09 AM

SEA BASED FIGHTER:

Nakajima started design studies for a floatplane fighter based on the land-based Mitsubishi A6M Zero.
Nakajima also built the A6M Zero under license, the seaplane version designed as the A6M2-N was later code named (Rufe) by US Forces.

ALEUTIANS:

The A6M2-N Rufe was among the Japanese aircraft sent to the Aleutian Islands
to support Japanese Army operations and to intercept USAAF bombers and fighters.
Only a small number of Rufe seaplanes were available the rest operated throughout the Pacific area.
The Rufe was armed w/2 x 20mm cannons and 2 x 7.7mm machine guns and
could carry light bombs under the wings.

452nd KOKUTAI:

The Japanese not only fought against Allied forces, but against the Aleutian weather.
With little or no maintenance facilities aircraft left in the open were battered by high winds, rain and snow many aircraft were damaged beyond repair and parts were salvaged to keep others operational.

A6M2-N "RUFE" SEAPLANES:

Over the decades there have been reports of Nakajima built (Rufe) seaplanes being painted Purple. One report is based on an eye witness account.

NOW ABOUT THOSE PURPLE
SEAPLANES:

Aviation Machinist Mate 1st Class Noboru Fujimoto, Imperial Japanese Navy. He stated that two (Rufe) seaplanes were destroyed by high winds, rain and snow, that hammered them to pieces at their moorings. Another was lost w/pilot in air-to-air combat, the surviving pilots were re-assigned back to Japan.
Mr. Fujimoto remembered that such purple color was used on three (3) planes.

TECHNICALLY AGAINST REGULATIONS:

Crew chief's were ordered to mix a blend of gray paint, red primer and blue-black paint this mixed became a purplish color and used only for one (1) month. Based on the memories of Chief Petty Officer, Retired Noboru Fujimoto, who survived WWII...