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The Mitsubishi A7M Reppu was designed to succeed the famed Imperial Japanese Navy?s A6M Zero. The name translated to mean ?Violent Wind? or ?Strong Gale?. The Allies gave it the codename ?Sam.
Performance objectives were to achieve superior maneuverability, speed, climb, diving and armament over the Zero. All this criteria increased weight and required space and as a result, the wing area and overall size were significantly greater. The first prototype was underpowered and not until the powerplant was replaced was the performance parameters met. Top speed achieved during trials was 630km/hr (390mph) and the Reppu can climb to an altitude of 19,685 ft in 6 minutes.
Plans were initiated to put the Reppu into production but by then the Japanese aircraft industry was in desperate straits at this stage of the war. The Reppu therefore never saw combat
The Mitsubishi A7M Reppu was designed to succeed the famed Imperial Japanese Navy?s A6M Zero. The name translated to mean ?Violent Wind? or ?Strong Gale?. The Allies gave it the codename ?Sam.
Performance objectives were to achieve superior maneuverability, speed, climb, diving and armament over the Zero. All this criteria increased weight and required space and as a result, the wing area and overall size were significantly greater. The first prototype was underpowered and not until the powerplant was replaced was the performance parameters met. Top speed achieved during trials was 630km/hr (390mph) and the Reppu can climb to an altitude of 19,685 ft in 6 minutes.
Plans were initiated to put the Reppu into production but by then the Japanese aircraft industry was in desperate straits at this stage of the war. The Reppu therefore never saw combat
