File: Japanese Military
Aircraft
Report: Compiled by Calvin W.
Lew
The code name system for Japanese
aircraft originated in the Southwest Pacific theatre in the second half of
1942. Before Pearl Harbor, very
little was known about Japanese military aircraft of any type, and it was
widely assumed that most Japanese military aircraft were second-rate copies of
obsolescent Western designs. It
goes without saying that the first six months of the Pacific War showed just
how wrong that view was!
The Allies were thus faced with a
desperate need for accurate, up-to-date intelligence on the Japanese aircraft
which were at that time riding roughshod over the entire Pacific theatre of
operations. In June, 1942 Captain
Frank T. McCoy of Nashville, Tennessee became head of the Material Section of
the Directorate of Intelligence of the allied air forces in the entire
Southwest Pacific area. His team
was assigned the task of identifying and classifying Japanese aircraft.
Since Captain McCoy was from
Tennessee, he initially assigned hillbilly names such as ZEKE, RUFE, NATE, and
JAKE to Japanese aircraft--chosen so that they were short, simple, unusual, and
easy to remember. 75 code names
were assigned the first month. By
September 1942, these names were in wide use throughout the entire Southwest
Pacific. Shortly thereafter, they
went into use throughout the entire Pacific.
These odd-sounding code names soon
attracted attention from high-ranking military brass. Captain McCoy assigned to what later turned out to be a
modified Zero the code name HAP, the nickname of General Henry H.
("Hap") Arnold, USAAF Chief of Staff. The General was NOT amused, and had Capt McCoy
summoned before General MacArthur's chief of operations to explain what he was
up to. Captain McCoy seems to have
gotten himself out of this particular jam, but the name HAP was quietly changed
to HAMP.
In the summer of 1944, a joint
Army-Navy Air Technical Center in Washington took over responsibility for
assigning the names.
The code names were alloted
according to the following system:
Male first names: Fighters and reconnaissance
seaplanes
Female first names: Bombers, attack bombers, dive bombers,
Reconnaissance aircraft, Flying boats
Transports (names beginning with
letter T).
Tree names: Trainers
Bird names: Gliders
However, there were some
exceptions to the rule. The Ki-44
Shoki single-seat fighter was assigned the name TOJO.
Here is a list of code names. Supposedly it is complete, but I would
appreciate being informed of any omissions.
ALLIED CODE NAMES FOR JAPANESE AIRCRAFT
Allied
Designator Code Name Manufacturer
FIGHTERS and RECONNAISSANCE SEA PLANES (Male first names):
A5M CLAUDE Mitsubishi Navy carrier-based single-seat fighter
A5M SANDY Mitsubishi Navy carrier-based fighter. Name
given to a non-existent inverted-gull wing version of CLAUDE.
A6M Reisen
(Zero Fighter)/BEN Mitsubishi Name briefly assigned to
Zero in CBI theatre.
A6M Reisen
(Zero Fighter)/RAY Mitsubishi Name briefly assigned to Zero in CBI theatre.
A6M2 Reisen
(Zero Fighter) Mitsubishi The
Zero is the most recognizable of all Japanese aircraft, comprising almost all
the fighter planes fielded by
Japan in World War II. It was
exactly the state of the art at its introduction in 1940, but fell behind the
technology power curve in mid-war. Its 1130-horsepower engines were no longer
powerful enough to compete, and models with more powerful engines were not
available until near war's end. Max speed was about 350 mph, and range in the
thousand-mile bracket with drop tanks.
A6M5 Model 52Reisen (Zero
Fighter)/ZEKE Mitsubishi Navy single-engined carrier- based fighter.
A6M2-N RUFE Nakajima Seaplane fighter version of Mitsubishi A6M2 Reisen.
A6M3 HAMP Mitsubishi Navy carrier-based fighter. First named HAP, then HAMP, then finally
ZERO 32.
A7He1 JERRY Heinkel Heinkel He 112B-0 in service in
Japan as Navy land-based
fighter.
A7M Reppu
(Hurricane)/SAM Mitsubishi Navy single-seat carrier-based fighter
A8V1 DICK Seversky Seversky 2PA-B3 purchased from USA and operated as
two-seat Navy land-based fighters.
AI-104 IONE Aichi Nonexistent reconnaissance seaplane.
AT-27 GUS Nakajima Fictional twin-engined fighter.
Bf 109E MIKE Messerschmitt German fighter erroneously believed to be in service in
Japan.
Bf 110 DOC Messerschmitt German twin-engined fighter erroneously believed to be in
service in Japan.
E7K ALF Kawanishi Navy single-engined
reconnaissance biplane seaplane
E8N DAVE Nakajima Navy two-seat reconnaissance seaplane biplane.
E9W SLIM Watanabe Navy Reconnaissance Seaplane
E10A HANK Aichi Navy reconnaissance seaplane
E13A JAKE Aichi Navy single-engined reconnaissance seaplane.
E14Y GLEN Yokosuka Navy single-engined reconnaissance seaplane
E15K Shiun
(Violet Cloud)/NORM Kawanishi Navy single-engined high-speed reconnaissance seaplane
E16A Zuiun
(Auspicious Cloud)/PAUL Aichi Navy single-engined reconnaissance seaplane
F1M PETE Mitsubishi Navy single-engined observation biplane seaplane.
FW 190A-5 FRED Focke-Wulf Erroneously believed to be in service in Japan
J1N Gekko
(Moonlight)/IRVING Nakajima Navy twin-engined land-based night fighter and
reconnaissance aircraft.
J2M Raiden
(Thunderbolt)/JACK Mitsubishi Navy single-seat land-based interceptor. The J2M was a Japanese fighter developed in the later years of
WWII. Designed to be an
interceptor, the plane was never really the nemesis of B-29 bombers that it was
hoped to be.
He 112B-0 Heinkel In service in Japan as Navy land-based fighter.
J4M Senden/LUKE Mitsubishi Navy interceptor
Ki-001 BEN Nagoya-Sento Did not exist.
Ki-10 PERRY Kawasaki Army single-seat biplane fighter
Relegated to training roles by beginning of Pacific War
Ki-27 ABDUL Nakajima Army single-seat fighter serving in
CBI theatre. Duplicate of NATE in Southwest
Pacific. After 1943,
code name NATE was used exclusively.
Ki-27 NATE Nakamima Army single-seat fighter Name initially used only in
Southwest Pacific theatre, whereas the same plane was called ABDUL in CBI
theatre. From 1943 onward used name NATE exclusively.
Ki-28 BOB Kawasaki Erroneously believed to be in production as fighter
Ki-43 Hayabusa
(Peregrine Falcon)/JIM Nakajima Army single-seat fighter - name later changed to OSCAR
Ki-43 Hayabusa
(Peregrine Falcon)/OSCAR Nakajima Army single-seat fighter - known for a time in CBI theatre
as JIM
Ki-44 Shoki
(Devil-Queller)/TOJO Nakajima Army single-seat fighter
Ki-45 Toryu
(Dragon Killer)/NICK Kawasaki Army two-seat, twin-engined fighter
Ki-46 DINAH Mitsubishi Army twin-engined reconnaissance
and interceptor aircraft.
Ki-61 Hien
(Swallow)/TONY Kawasaki Army single-seat fighter
Ki-64 ROB Kawasaki Experimental Army single-seat fighter
Ki-72 STEVE Mitsubishi Army experimental twin-engined
fighter
Ki-74 PAT Tachikawa Erroneously believed to be a long-range fighter. Name changed to PATSY when true role of
bomber became known.
Ki-84 Hayate
(Gale)/FRANK Nakajima Single-seat Army fighter.
Ki-102b RANDY Kawasaki Army twin-engined assault plane
N1K Shiden
(Violet Lightning)/GEORGE Kawanishi Navy single-seat land-based interceptor-fighter
N1K Kyofu
(Mighty Wind)/REX Kawanishi Navy single-engined seaplane fighter.
STK-97 ADAM Nakajima Nonexistent fighter seaplane
Type 97 BOB Aichi Navy recon seaplane - did not exist
TK-4 FRANK Mitsubishi Fictional twin-engined fighter.
Name later applied to Nakajima Ki-84
TK-19 JOE Fictional single-seat fighter
20 OMAR Suzukaze Fictional twin-engined fighter
BOMBERS, ATTACK BOMBERS, DIVE BOMBERS, RECONNAISSANCE AIRCRAFT, FLYING BOATS (Female first names):
B4Y JEAN Yokosuka Navy carrier-based single-engined attack bomber biplane.
B5M MABEL Mitsubishi Carrier-based attack bomber. Name
later changed to KATE 61
B5N KATE 61 Nakajima Navy single-engined carrier-based attack bomber
B6N Tenzan
(Heavenly Mountain)/JILL Nakajima Navy single-engined carrier- based attack bomber.
B7A Ryusei
(Shooting Star)/GRACE Aichi Navy single-engined carrier-based attack bomber.
B-97 DORIS Mitsubishi Medium bomber- did not exist
BR-20 RUTH Fiat Italian-built heavy bomber in Japanese service
C6N Saiun
(Painted Cloud)/MYRT Nakajima Navy single-engined carrier-based reconnaissance aircraft
D1A SUSIE Aichi Navy single-engined carrier-based
biplane dive bomber
D3A VAL Aichi Navy
single-engined two-seat carrier-based dive bomber
D4Y DOT Yokosuka Carrier-based dive bomber - duplicate of JUDY
D4Y Suisei
(Comet)/JUDY Yokosuka Navy carrier-based single-engined dive bomber.
E11A LAURA Aichi Navy reconnaissance seaplane
Fw 200 TRUDY Focke-Wulf German four-engined maritime
reconnaissance aircraft erroneously believed to be in service in Japan
G3M NELL Mitsubishi Navy land-based twin-engined attack bomber
G4M BETTY Mitsubishi Navy twin-engined land-based attack
bomber
G5N Shinzan
(Mountain Recess)/LIZ Nakajima Navy four-engined attack bomber operated as freight
transport.
G8N Renzan
(Mountain Range)/RITA Nakajima Navy land-based four-engined attack bomber.
H5Y CHERRY Yokosuka Navy flying boat
H6K MAVIS Kawanishi Navy four-engined maritime
reconnaissance flying boat
H7Y TILLIE Yokosuka Navy experimental flying boat
H8K EMILY Kawanishi Navy four-engined long-range
reconnaissance flying boat
Ju 52/3m TRIXIE Junkers German trimotor transport erroneously believed to be in
service in Japan
Ju 87A IRENE Junkers German single-engine dive bomber
erroneously believed to be in service with Japanese army.
Ju 88A-5 JANICE Junkers German light bomber erroneously believed to be in service
in Japan.
JULIA/Misidentified LILY Believed
to be a heavy bomber
JUNE/Misidentified JAKE Believed
to be a floatplane version of VAL
Ki-2 LOUISE Mitsubishi Army twin-engined light bomber
Ki-15/C5M BABS Mitsubishi Army/Navy single-engined reconnaissance aircraft
Ki-15/C5M NORMA/Misidentified
BABS Mitsubishi Believed to be a light bomber.
Ki-30 ANN Mitsubishi Army single-engined light bomber
Ki-21 JANE Mitsubishi Army heavy bomber - Name later changed to SALLY
Ki-21-IIb GWEN Mitsubishi Army heavy bomber - name later changed to SALLY III.
Ki-21 SALLY Mitsubishi Army twin-engined heavy bomber.
Formerly named JANE.
Ki-32 MARY Kawasaki Army single-engined, two-seat light bomber
Ki-48 LILY Kawasaki Army twin-engined light bomber
Ki-49 Donryu
(Storm Dragon)/HELEN Nakajima Army twin-engined heavy bomber.
Ki-51 SONIA Mitsubishi Army two-seat, single-engined assault
aircraft
Ki-54? JOYCE/Misidentified
HICKORY Tachikawa? Believed to be a light bomber version of Tachikawa Ki-54
Ki-67 Hiryu
(Flying Dragon)/PEGGY Mitsubishi Army twin-engined heavy bomber
Ki-70 CLARA Tachikawa Army command reconnaissance
aircraft
Ki-71 EDNA Mansyu Army experimental single-engined
two-seat tactical reconnaissance aircraft. Development of Mitsubishi Ki-51.
Ki-74 PATSY Tachikawa Army experimental long-range,
high-altitude reconnaissance bomber.
Ki-76 STELLA Kokusai Army single-engined command liaison aircraft. Generally similar to Fieseler Fi 156
Storch but not a copy.
H3K1 BELLE Kawanishi Navy biplane flying boat
He 111 BESS Heinkel Erroneously believed to being built under license in Japan
MXY7 Ohka
(Cherry Blossom)/BAKA Yokosuka Navy rocket-powered suicide attacker.
Ohtori/EVA(EVE) Mitsubishi Erroneously believed to be a bomber
P1Y Ginga
(Milky Way)/FRANCES Yokosuka Navy land-based twin-engined light bomber/night fighter.
Q1W Tokai
(Eastern Sea)/LORNA Kyushu Navy twin-engined land-based patrol
aircraft.
V-11GB MILLIE Vultee Erroneously believed to be in production by Showa in Japan
TRAINERS (Tree Names):
K3M PINE Mitsubishi Navy single-engined crew trainer
K5Y WILLOW Yokosuka Navy intermediate trainer biplane.
K9W CYPRESS Kyushu Navy primary trainer
K10W OAK Kyushu Navy intermediate trainer
License-built North American NA-16
Ki-9 SPRUCE Tachikawa Army medium-grade two-seat single-engined biplane trainer
Ki-17 CEDAR Tachikawa Army single-engined two-seat biplane
primary trainer
Ki-36/55 IDA Tachikawa Army single engined two-seat monoplane trainer and army cooperation
aircraft
Ki-54 HICKORY Tachikawa Army
twin-engined advanced crew trainer and light transport.
Ki-55/36 IDA Tachikawa Army single engined two-seat monoplane trainer and army cooperation
aircraft
Ki-86 Kokusai Army
primary trainer
GLIDERS (Bird Names):
Ku-7 Manazuru/BUZZARD Kokusai Army transport glider
Ku-8 GANDER Kokusai Army transport glider Formerly named GOOSE
Ku-8 GOOSE Kokusai Army transport glider Named changed
to GANDER
TRANSPORTS (Names beginning with letter T):
DC-2 TESS Douglas License-built DC-2s erroneously believed to be in
widespread use by Japanese Navy.
14 TOBY Lockheed Commercial Lockheed 14s used by Japan during Pacific War.
Ki-33 TINA Mitsubishi Army transport - misidentified Yokosuka L3Y transport version of G3M
attack bomber.
Ki-34/L1N THORA Nakajima Army/Navy twin-engined transport
Ki-56 THALIA Kawasaki Army twin-engined transport. Japanese-built adaptation of Lockheed Model 14-WG3.
Ki-57/L4M TOPSY Mitsubishi Army/Navy twin-engine transport
Ki-59 THERESA Kokusai Army
twin-engined light personnel transport
L2D TABBY Showa/Nakajima Navy land-based twin-engined
transport. License-built version
of Douglas DC-3.
Type LO THELMA Tachikawa/Kawasaki Twin-engined
Army transport. License built version of
Lockheed Model 14.
JASDAF AIRCRAFT
CARGO / TRANSPORTS:
C-1A Trader Grumman
Aerospace
_______________________________________________________________
“Japanese
Military Aircraft” -- Compiled
by Calvin W. Lew,
Post Office Box 6586,
Oceanside, California 92052-6586
Telephone: (619) 687-9090
(Pager / Voicemail)
(619) 840-0971 (Mobile)
2 0 0 1
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