How to Recognise Aircraft

Observation Post, Volume 1, Issue 28, 27 November 1942, Page 3

How to Recognise Aircraft

Mitsubishi Type 97 Torpedo-Bomber. This aircraft is replacing the earlier Makajima Type 96. Both types were used in the raid on Pearl Harbour. It bears a close resemblance to the United States Navy’s Devastator torpedobomber, but may be recognised by the slope and shape of the tail unit. It is one of the Japanese types most likely to appear over New Zealand.

TYK «-MITSUBISHI Principal Structural Features. — is a single-engined low wing monoplane, with retractable undercarriage. The taper of the wings is uniform on both edges, the tips are rounded,-and there is a large wing-root fairing on the trailing edge. The engine is a radial and the fuselage is rather slim, with a "conservatory” extending from above leading edge of the wing to about halfway along the fuselage. The fin and rudder, which are on top of the fuselage, have a straight-sloping leading edge and a curved trailing edge. Each side of the horizontal tail surfaces has the same general slope as the fin and rudder, but is rather longer and narrower with less curve on the trailing edge. There is no cut-out and the end of the fuselage projects a short distance behind the tail-plane. The main wheels retract, but the tail-wheel is fixed. Special Recognition Points. Tapered wings with rounded tips and large fairing; "conservatory" on fuselage. Dimensions. Span 50ft., length 35ft. Mitsubishi Type 96 Dive-bomber.— Like the Nakajima type 96 torpedobomber (described in an earlier article) this aircraft is an older type which may, however, still be used by the naval air service of the; Japanese.

Several weeks went by, then Bluey began to wear a worried look. When we inquired the "waffor" of this, he said: "It’s the wife. If I don’t send her some money she’s going to sue me for resuscitation of convivial nights! ’’

The orderly officer received a c'om; plaint about the issue of bread. “Soldiers should- not make a fuss about trivialities, my man,” he cried. “If Napoleon had had that bread when he;was crossing the Alps, he’d have eaten it with delight.” “Yes, sir,” said the Lance-Corporal, ■‘but it was fresh then.”