#f1m type zero

1942 In the South Seas

Japanese seaplanes Mitsubishi F1M2 "Pete" and Mitsubishi A6M2-N "Rufe" (in the background) parked at the base.

This is what Mogami's stern looked like in 1943. The monoplanes are Aichi E13A 'Jake' seaplanes, they first flew in 1939 and were a common scout airplane in the IJN for the entire war, with more than 1,400 being produced. Interestingly, some of them remained in service with the French from 1945 to 1947 during the First Indochina War.

The biplanes are Mitsubishi F1M 'Pete' seaplanes. These were the last biplane operated by the IJN, and nearly a thousand were built by 1944 when production stopped. They were versatile aircraft, being used as fighters, bombers, scouts, and towards the end of the war, as kamikaze aircraft.

Type 0 Reconnaissance Seaplane

Engines lined up on the catapult

and launch preparations completed

Type 0 Reconnaissance Seaplane

As can be seen in the photograph, this aircraft,

while sporting the classic appearance

of a biplane, was constructed entirely of metal

February 19, 1942, 18:20

Central Pacific Naval Operations

The commander of the South Seas Force issued an order for the 17th Air Group and the floatplanes of Cruiser Division 6 to conduct search operations.

A Japanese Mitsubishi F1M1 'Pete' floatplane in flight over Rabaul.

F1M “Pete”