Type 0 Fighter Model 21

[Edit] Type 0 Fighter Model 21 No.20 零式艦戦21型
Carrier-based Fighter Aircraft Effects: +5 Combat Radius: 7 (Deployment Cost: 4) Scrap value: 1 1 2 (Buildable)
Refittable Ship Types
Fast Battleship	Battleship
Aviation Battleship	Standard Aircraft Carrier
Armored Carrier	Light Carrier
Heavy Cruiser	Aviation Cruiser
Light Cruiser	Torpedo Cruiser
Training Cruiser	Destroyer
Coastal Defense Ship	Submarine
Aircraft Carrying Submarine	Seaplane Tender
Fleet Oiler	Submarine Tender
Repair Ship	Amphibious Assault Ship
LBAS Plane

Introduction

「ゼロ戦」の名で知られる名機「零式艦上戦闘機」の初期型です。7.7mm機銃2門と自慢の20mm機銃2門を装備。
優れた格闘戦能力と長大な航続距離で、その圧倒的な力を見せつけました。
やがて敵が強力な新型機になってくると、火力と速度、防弾性などの弱点が露呈していきます。

Known as the "Zero-fighter", this is the initial variant of the "Type Zero Carrier-based Fighter". Equipment included twin 7.7 mm machine guns and boasted twin 20 mm cannons.
With a far-reaching range and excellent dogfighting ability, it represented overwhelming power.
But eventually, when the enemy produced new machines with greater firepower and speed, weaknesses such as ballistic resistance were revealed.

Mechanics

Fighters/ are one of the main types of plane used by CV(B/L). Their main role is to bring Air Power during the 1st Aerial Stage, with their "Fighter Power" stat being the most important factor in this regard. Fighters are additionally needed for Aircraft Carrier Cut-Ins (CVCI) during the day Shelling.

• They can be used in Land Bases to serve the same role as Interceptors.

Notes

Any Improvement the Type 0 Fighter Model 21 may have will carry over to the Type 0 Fighter Model 21 (Skilled) given by quest Fm1.

Not to be confused with other aircraft of this family (see here).

How To Obtain

Buildable

Stock equipment of: Akagi, Chitose Kou, Chiyoda Kou, Hiryuu, Kaga, Ryuuhou, Shoukaku, Souryuu, Zuikaku

From quest: B119 (x2, choice), B127 (x3, choice), Cq1 (x3, choice), Fq9 (x2, choice)

Uses

Used to improve: Type 0 Fighter Model 21, Type 0 Reconnaissance Seaplane, Type 0 Fighter Model 21 (Skilled), Type 2 Seaplane Fighter Kai, Type 3 Fighter Hien, Type 0 Fighter Model 32, Type 0 Fighter Model 32 (Skilled), Re.2001 OR Kai, F4F-4, Type 1 Fighter Hayabusa Model II, Skua, Spitfire Mk.I, FM-2

Used by quest: Fm1, F28, Fq2, F51, F52, Fq5, Fy9

Updates History

• 2013-04-23: Implemented with initial game release
• 2015-11-18: Card CG updated
• 2016-06-30: Became improvable and upgradeable to Type 0 Fighter Model 32 ★+3
• 2017-02-28: Card CG updated

Improvement

Type 0 Fighter Model 21
Improvement			→	Conversion
★ Improvement Level	0~5	6~9		Type 0 Fighter Model 32 ★3
Consumed	2/4	3/5		4/7
Consumed	2/3	2/4		3/5
Equipment Consumed		x2		x2
Items Consumed	-			-
Resources	100 80 0 250

Ship Helper	Conversion
Akagi/Kai/Ni/E	Type 0 Fighter Model 32 ★3
Mon		Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
Kaga/Kai/Ni/E/Go
Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun

Improvement effects
	1★	2★	3★	4★	5★	6★	7★	8★	9★	Max★
	0.2	0.4	0.6	0.8	1.0	1.2	1.4	1.6	1.8	2.0

Trivia

• The color scheme of the in-game artwork is based on that of the A6M2 Zero flown by Saburo Sakai - V-173, one of Japan's most famous World War II fighter aces.
• In the 1st episode of the Kancolle Anime, this plane is seen shooting at an Elite I-class Destroyer to rescue Fubuki. Fighters do not contribute to attack power against ships in the game, but would be realistically capable of firing at ships.

Historical Information

The Mitsubishi A6M "Type 0 Carrier-based Fighter", mostly known as the "Zero", was one of the finest planes of its time, capable of greater speed, maneuverability, and range than most American planes, and boasting a powerful armament of two 7.7 mm machine guns and two 20 mm cannons. When encountered, it was codenamed "Zeke" by the Allies, but the "Zero" name took over as its most used nickname in both sides.

Specification 12-shi was sent to Nakajima and Mitsubishi in 1937, as a replacement to the A5M Type 96 Fighter which was entering service in the IJN.

Assessing the performance and experiences of the A5M, the IJN's final requirements were for the fighter to reach speeds of 600 km/h and climb to 3 km in 3.5 min while being able to operate for as much as 6-8 h at cruise with drop-tanks. Equipment was to include a complete radio and armament of twin 20 mm cannons plus twin 7.7 mm machine guns as well as 60 kg of bombs. Maneuverability was to be at least equal to the A5M with a wingspan less than 12 m so that it could be fielded on aircraft carriers. On top of those lofty specifications, this plane had to use available engines, a significant limitation.

Nakajima's engineering team deemed those specifications impossible and resigned from the competition. Jiro Horikoshi, developer of the A5M (and subsequently the A7M Reppuu) thought it was feasible only with an aircraft as light as possible. Every possible weight-reduction measure was incorporated into the A6M, including Sumitomo Metal's new top-secret 7075 aluminum alloy, "Extra Super Duralumin". Armor for the pilot, engine, or other critical points was dropped, as were self-sealing fuel tanks. It had a cantilever low-wing layout, retractable landing gear, and an enclosed cockpit.

The A6M1 prototype passed its testing in a short period and was ordered into service, with shortly after, the A6M2 being introduced incorporating a new engine. The new prototype so greatly surpassed the original specifications that 15 units were sent to battle in China, where they were untouched by planes that troubled the A5M. These results led the Navy to immediately order the A6M2 into production as the Type 0 Model 11.

It could maintain stable flight well below 110 km/h, allowing it to out-turn any contemporary fighter. Reports of its performance eventually reached the USA, where they were dismissed as impossible. The Model 21 in particular introduced folding wingtips to better fit into aircraft carriers, as well as improved range with 2 048 being constructed by Mitsubishi and Nakajima, including 508 trainers by Hitachi and Sasebo.

Compared to contemporary Allied fighters, however, the Zero traded ruggedness, protection, and comfort for its qualities, making it a relatively bridle plane, notably lacking self-sealing fuel tanks, which could easily catch fire and explode when shot.

When powerful Allied aircraft such as the P-38 Lightning, F6F Hellcat, and F4U Corsair were fielded, the A6M had difficulty competing. Regardless, it was developed further into variants such as the Models 3X, 5X, and 6X, with better engines and capabilities.

Many dismissed the Zero origines as a fully Japanese indigenous fighter, but it was indeed truly a fit of engineering achieved by Japan, after years of modernization.

The depicted plane is allegedly the A6M2b variant.

See Also

• Mitsubishi A6M Zero