Mitsubishi Experimental Washi-type Light Bomber (2MB2)

The Mitsubishi Experimental Washi-type Light Bomber (2MB2) was an unsuccessful entry into a 1925 Japanese army contest for a light bomber.

The Washi (Eagle) was designed by a team led by Nobushiro Nakata and overseen by Dr Alexander Baumann of Stuttgart University. It was a sesquiplane aircraft with a lower wing with a shorter span. The two wings were linked by 'W' struts. The fixed main wheels were carried on individual 'V' struts, with the outer strut joining the wing under the base of the 'W' strut and the inner strut connecting to the lower wing root. The aircraft had a metal fuselage frame, mainly fabric covered but with metal covering on the forward fuselage. The wings were of mixed wood and metal construction with fabric covering.

The prototype Washi was ready in December 1925. In tests it reached 130mph and outperformed its Nakajima and Kawasaki rivals. It was rejected by the Japanese Army because the complexity of its design meant that it was too expensive.

Mitsubishi responded to this setback by submitting their 2MB1, a modified version of the earlier Navy Type 13 Carrier Attack Aircraft (B1M). This was a cheaper alternative, but could carry a smaller payload over shorter distances. Despite this limitation it was accepted by the Army as the Type 87 Light Bomber.

Engine: Mitsubishi-Hispano-Suiza twelve-cylinder vee water-cooled engine
Power: 450-600hp
Crew: 2
Span: 65ft 7.5in
Length: 32ft 3.75in
Height: 13ft 5.5in
Empty weight: 4,629lb
Loaded weight: 8,024lb
Max speed: 131mph at sea level
Climb Rate:
Service ceiling: 19,685ft
Endurance: 3 hours
Armament: Two fixed forward firing 7.7mm machine guns, two flexibly mounted 7.7mm machine guns, one dorsally mounted and one ventrally mounted.
Bomb load: 1,763lb

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How to cite this article: Rickard, J (25 September 2012), Mitsubishi Experimental Washi-type Light Bomber (2MB2) , http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_mitsubishi_washi_light_bomber.html

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