A6M2-N Rufe - Mighty Warrior

[Arkady]

Hi,

I've seen on this forum a lot of unbeliefs about potential and utilisation of A6M2-N Rufe.
I'm using this float-fighter with a good results in my current UV PBEM game, where only P-38G Lightning can harm them on Irau directly from base airfield. Now at the end of 1942 they have active score and three Rufe pilots are honoured as aces (7,6 and 5 kills)

But this is WITP forum, here it is latest Rufe's performance over Shortlands. Note that this is not FOW and all kills are confirmed by PBEM opponent, Rufes scored all this hits on B-17, some of Flying Fortresses turn back before attack !!

Day Air attack on Shortlands , at 63,93

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 8

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 57

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 11 destroyed, 22 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko, Bomb hits 1
CL Abukuma, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Suzuya, Bomb hits 2
AV Kiyokawa Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
67 casualties reported

Port hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet

entire replay is avalaible here http://www.arkady.cz/storage/witp001.zip

Of course it is a pure luck but don't forget that every aircraft have it's own exploitation

Arkady

ps: should I change my signature to Rufe's Fanboy ? [:D]

[esteban]

Rufes aren't bad versus unescorted bombers, where their low maneuverability isn't a problem. It when they go up against other fighters that they get beat up.

I used Rufes for bomber interception at bases back from the front lines, and I put them on AVs and CSs for increased CAP over some TFs and convoys.

[Captain Cruft]

In my quick look at the 1945 scenario they even shot down a few B-29s. Not sure if that's entirely realistic but I enjoyed it.

[UncleBuck]

You must be joking! SLow un-manuverable float planes would be in deep Kimchi versus a flight of B-17's. Other than an initial attack from ALtitude they lack the speed to overtake and out climb the B-17's. Any trailing attack on the B-17's woudl be near suicidal, minimum of 6 50 cals would be trainable on a 6 oclock attack. The Rufe with 2 30 caliber machineguns and 2 20 mm cannons (with 120 total rounds) would be woefully inadequte to take on B-17's. In this example there are 53 of them. From where woudl these float planes attack from and not meet a hail of fire? If it is a once in a while occurance that they get some kills fine, but it seems you are saying that they are doing this with reularity.

UB

[DJAndrews]

If you liked the Rufe, you would have loved the Rex.

The N1K1 Kyofu "Rex" floatfighter was the predecessor to the land-based "George". It was reputed to be as fast as its contempory the A6M5 Zero and was considered to be more maneuverable and longer-legged than the somewhat faster Raiden.

It was a privately developed aircraft and had lots of troubles in development because of animousity from the general staff as well as technical glitches withthe engine and props. It was supposed to be ready in 1943 but by the time it finally made it to large scale production in 1944 the Japan was on the defensive (hence the conversion to the "George").

It had similar speed and weapons characteristics to the George and would have been able to inflict losses on both B-17s and B-29s (that was the land-based interceptor's main role). There were about 100 Rex's produced compared to 1500 Georges.

[esteban]

ORIGINAL: UncleBuck

You must be joking! SLow un-manuverable float planes would be in deep Kimchi versus a flight of B-17's. Other than an initial attack from ALtitude they lack the speed to overtake and out climb the B-17's. Any trailing attack on the B-17's woudl be near suicidal, minimum of 6 50 cals would be trainable on a 6 oclock attack. The Rufe with 2 30 caliber machineguns and 2 20 mm cannons (with 120 total rounds) would be woefully inadequte to take on B-17's. In this example there are 53 of them. From where woudl these float planes attack from and not meet a hail of fire? If it is a once in a while occurance that they get some kills fine, but it seems you are saying that they are doing this with reularity.

UB

They have the same armament as a Zero/Zeke does. And they are still faster than a B-17. Also, in this game, speed does not seem to make a difference, except in fighter vs. fighter combat.

As for the getting bomber kills with "regularity", a Rufe squadron will pretty much get kills on the same pace as a zeke squadron. Given similar numbers of planes and pilot quality between the two squadrons.