Mitsubishi B1M explained

The Mitsubishi B1M was a Japanese torpedo bomber of the 1920s, also known as the Navy Type 13 Carrier-Borne Attack Aircraft. It was designed and built by Mitsubishi and used in combat against China. The aircraft was used by the air services of the Imperial Japanese Navy and Imperial Japanese Army.

Development

While working with the Mitsubishi company, the British aircraft designer Herbert Smith designed the 2MT1 two-seat biplane torpedo bomber which flew for the first time in January 1923. It went into Japanese Navy service as the Type 13-1 carrier-borne attack aircraft or B1M1, and was followed by the 2MT2 and 2MT3 variants (also designated B1M1). The redesigned Type 13-2 was designated B1M2. The final version, the Type 13-3 or B1M3, had the company designation 3MT2 and was a three-seater. Total production was 443. The B1M was powered by a 450hp Napier Lion or Hispano-Suiza engine according to version.

Operational history

The type entered service in 1924 and served into the 1930s, 32 flying from the aircraft carriers and during the Shanghai Incident in 1932. An aircraft from Kaga was lost during an aerial engagement between an American air force adviser and demonstration pilot to the Chinese government, Robert Short, who also lost his life, and regarded as a hero defending the Chinese city against the Japanese aircraft.^[1] Four days later, a 15-aircraft formation composed of Nakajima A1N fighters and B1Ms attacked Qiaosi Airbase in Hangzhou, and in the ensuing dogfight, at least one Chinese Junkers K 47 fighter was shot down.^[2]

From 1929, a number of surplus B1Ms were converted for civilian use, being fitted with an enclosed cabin for passengers or cargo.

Variants

Navy long formal designations

Navy Type 13-1 Carrier Attack Aircraft

B1M1

Navy Type 13-2 Carrier Attack Aircraft

B1M2

Navy Type 13-3 Carrier Attack Aircraft

B1M3

Navy short designations

B1M1

Initial two seat production version powered by 450hp Napier Lion engine. . 197 built by Mitsubishi.^[3]

B1M2

Three-seat production torpedo bomber, based on 2MT5, powered by Mitsubishi Hi V-12 engine. 115 built by Mitsubishi.

B1M3

Improved B1M2 with revised propeller and reduction gear. 128 built by Mitsubishi and Hiro Naval Arsenal.

Company designations

2MT1

Navy Type 13-1 Carrier Attack Aircraft / B1M1

2MT2

Navy Type 13-1 Carrier Attack Aircraft / B1M1

2MT3

Navy Type 13-1 Carrier Attack Aircraft / B1M1

2MT4 Ohtori

Experimental reconnaissance seaplane version. One built.

2MT5 Tora

Prototype of the B1M2 / Navy Type 13-2 Carrier Attack Aircraft, two-seat torpedo bomber powered by 450hp Mitsubishi Hi V-12 engine (licensed built Hispano-Suiza Lb). One built.

3MT1

Navy Type 13-2 Carrier Attack Aircraft / B1M2

3MT2

Navy Type 13-3 Carrier Attack Aircraft / B1M3

Army designations

Mitsubishi Army Type 87 Light Bomber

Mitsubishi B1Ms used by the IJAAS .

Civilian designations

T-1.2 Converted Aeroplane

Civil conversion of B1M. Several variations on type. Enclosed cabin for two or three passengers. Powered by original Lion or Hispano-Suiza engines or converted with licensed built Bristol Jupiter radial engine. Also known as Type 13th Year Converted Aeroplane.^[3]

Operators

Imperial Japanese Navy

External links

http://www.csd.uwo.ca/~pettypi/elevon/gustin_military/db/index.html

Notes and References

Web site: Tales of Old Shanghai . Robert . Short . 1 December 2010. dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100507232731/http://www.talesofoldchina.com/shanghai/people/t-short.htm . 7 May 2010.
Web site: 航空知识. 澎湃号. 2020-09-03. 从陈应明航空画中忆英雄风采！抗战胜利75周年，我们从未忘记_媒体_澎湃新闻-The Paper. 2021-01-02. www.thepaper.cn. 容克斯K-47首战上海: 1932年“1·28”事变爆发后，中国派出9架各型军机调往上海虹桥机场增援, 并与当日与日本发生空战, 但战斗双方都无损失. 2月26日集中在杭州附近乔司机场待命的我国25架战机突遭日军“中岛”3式战斗机和“中岛”13式攻击机组成的15机编队偷袭, 第2队队长石邦藩、射击手沈延世驾驶P-7号容克斯K-47双座战斗机率先起飞应敌, 淞沪之战以来最激烈的一场空战由此展开..
Book: Mikesh, Robert C. Abe, Shorzoe. Japanese Aircraft 1910-1941. 1990. Putnam Aeronautical Books. London. 0-85177-840-2.