WW2 Japanese Aircraft Trivia Quiz

Answer: "Hayate"

The Japanese Ki-84 "Hayate", nicknamed "Frank" by the Allies, was produced between June, 1944 and September, 1945. Generally considered to be the best mass-produced Japanese fighter, a total of 3,514 units were built before the end of the war. The "Hayate" was one of the few Japanese planes that could fly high enough to intercept the American B-29 "Superfortress".

Answer: Me-163

The J8M1 was a license built copy of the German Messcherschmitt ME-163 rocket powered interceptor, reverse engineered by the Japanese from manuals, as no planes could be delivered to Japan due to complete Allied control of the sea. Only seven units were produced, none seeing action.

Answer: A6M

The famous A6M "Reisen", known as the "Zeke" or "Zero" by the Allies, was introduced in 1940 and produced until the end of the war. Fast and agile, the plane dominated the Pacific air war until Allied tactics and newer aircraft made it obsolete, while the loss of many of Japan's best pilots in the first two years of the war tilted the balance in favor of the Allies. Almost 11,000 A6Ms were built.

Answer: "Shiden Kai"

The "Shiden Kai" was considered to be the best all around Japanese land based fighter. Introduced in early 1944, only some 1,500 planes were built before the war ended, and the pilot shortage again limited the plane's effectiveness in combat.

Answer: 4

The H8k, Allied code name "Emily", is considered by many to have been the best flying-boat of the war. A powerful defensive armament meant that the plane was well respected by Allied pilots. Introduced in 1942, a total of 167 aircraft were built by 1945.

Answer: 4

The J2M3 "Raiden", designed as an interceptor, was first introduced in December,1942, but problems with the engines meant that the fighter was not used operationally until December, 1943. As a result, only 621 units were produced. While the plane was fast and maneuverable, it did not perform well at high altitude and was largely ineffective against American bomber raids.

Answer: 20mm Cannon

Designed as a high speed interceptor, the J2M3 carried four 20mm cannon, an effective armament for an interceptor. Technical problems and a shortage of trained pilots limited the effectiveness of the J2M3 "Jack", as it was called by the Allies.

Answer: Nakajima

The Nakajima Aircraft Corporation, founded in 1919, was the largest Japanese aircraft manufacturer during World War II. Models produced by the company include the B5N "Kate" torpedo bomber, as well as the Ki-43, Ki-44, and Ki-84 land based fighters. In addition, Nakajima built aircraft designed by other Japanese companies under license.

Answer: "Reppu"

Development for the A7M "Reppu", designed as a replacement for the A6M "Zero", began in 1941, but changing priorities and production delays meant that the prototype wasn't ready until June, 1945. Allied bombing raids had by then decimated the Japanese aircraft industry, and no combat units were ever produced.

Answer: Ki-44

The Ki-44 "Shoki" (Allied code name "Tojo"), was the most widely used Interceptor by the Japanese during the war. Introduced in 1942, the plane had a fast climb rate and was well armed, with two machine guns and two cannons. A total of 1,225 units were produced by 1944, when priority was given to the Ki-84 model.

Answer: "Hiryu"

The Ki-67 "Hiryu", Allied code name "Peggy", was Japan's most advanced bomber of the war. A twin-engined, medium bomber introduced in late 1944, the Ki-67 was comparable to most other late war medium bombers, with a speed of 330 miles per hour and an armament of five machine guns and one cannon. A total of 767 planes were produced by August, 1945.

Answer: Torpedo bomber

The B5N, called "Kate" by the Allies, was the most widely used Japanese torpedo bomber of the war. Introduced in 1938, the B5N was superior to both British and American carrier based torpedo bombers in the early part of the war. Although a replacement, the B6N, was introduced in 1943, the B5N continued in service until the end of the war, with over 1,100 units built.

Answer: True

Born in 1902, Fuchida graduated from the Japanese Naval Academy in 1924. He was interested in flying from 1921, and was assigned as an instructor in level bombing techniques in 1936. By 1941, Fuchida, now a Commander, led the first wave of aircraft in the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was injured at Midway in June, 1942, and spent the remainder of the war as a staff officer in Japan.

Answer: N1K

The N1K was called the "Kyofu", and it was a potent sea-plane fighter. The N1K-J "Shiden", Allied code name "George", was a land based version of the "Kyofu". First introduced in 1943, the N1K-J was considered to be one of the best Japanese land based fighters of the war. Armed with four 20mm cannons and with a top speed of 355 mph, the plane was a worthy opponent for the American F6F "Hellcat" and F4U "Corsair".

A total of 1,532 N1K-Js were produced by the end of the war.

Answer: Kamikaze

By October, 1944, the Japanese Empire was losing the war and resorted to a desperate tactic, using suicide bombers to attack Allied targets. Called "kamikaze", which translates as "divine wind" in English, the term commemorates the storms which broke up Mongol invasion fleets in both 1274 and 1281, saving the Japanese Home Islands from invasion. Poorly trained pilots would deliberately crash their aircraft into Allied warships, sinking more than a few and killing thousands of Allied sailors.