MEDIOCRE AIR FORCE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 170, 20 October 1941, Page 3

MEDIOCRE AIR FORCE

ANALYSIS OF JAPAN'S STRENGTH

8000 PLANES OF ALL TYPES

The aeronautical correspondent of The Times, after a careful analysis of the Japanese Air Force, concludes that, though it is veiled in secrecy, it is mediocre, judged by Western standards, and much smaller than those of Britain, Russia, Germany and America. Moreover, Japan has few, if any, aircraft comparable in performance with Britain's most modern types. The correspondent points out that the Japanese aircraft industry has been stimulated by the Chinese war, and is working at full pressure. He estimates that a few months ago Japan had about 8000 warplanes cf all types, divided between the naval and army commands. She also had several aircraft carriers, a few seaplane carriers, and warships capable of catapulting planes, but no strong equivalent of the British Fleet Air Arm.

Most of her aircraft are obviously of foreign origin. The two main Ship-borne types arc the Kwani.shi 94, which is rather slow, and a single float biplane. The shore-based Mitsubishi 9(> has a speed in excess of 250 miles: an hour, and a bomb load of 10001b. The best army fighter is the two-seater Mitsubishi, credited with n speed of more than 300 miles an hour.

"Should Japanese aggression lead to hostilities involving Britain," the correspondent says, "an arrangement is possible whereby the R.A.F.. would

Use Chinese bases, bringing Japan within range of British long-range bombers. If the Soviet is also embroiled, Russia has a strong Eastern Air Force, capable of bombing Tokio and Yokohama.

"The occupation of Indo-China lias given. the Japanese an additional 89 landing fields, though they are mostly small and inadequately equipped, especially for night flying. Should the Japanese attack and occupy Thailand, they would acquire 100 aerodromes antl three seaplane bases."