The Mitsubishi A7M Reppū was designed as the successor to the Imperial Japanese Navy’s A6M Zero, with development beginning in 1942.
Performance objectives were to achieve superior speed, climb, diving, and armament over the Zero, as well as better manoeuvrability.
To meet these performance specifications its size and weight were significantly greater than its predecessor.
Variants
A7M1 Reppū
First prototype powered by a 2,000 hp (1,500 kW) Nakajima Homare 22 engine, with a maximum speed of 574 km/h (356 mph).
The armament consisted of two 13.2 mm (.52 in) Type 3 machine guns and two 20 mm (.80 in) Type 99 cannons in the wings.
While featuring excellent manoeuvrability, the A7M1’s Homare engine left it underpowered which resulted in its cancellation.
Two built.
A7M2 Reppū
Revised version powered by a 2,200 hp (1,600 kW) Mitsubishi Ha-43 engine, with a maximum speed of 627 km/h (389 mph).
Armament the same as previous model, or four 20 mm (.80 in) Type 99 cannons.
The A7M2 was to be the main production aircraft of the A7M series, eight built.
A7M3 Reppū
Proposed land-based fighter version powered by a 2,250 hp (1,680 kW) mechanically driven three-speed supercharged Mitsubishi Ha-43 engine, with a maximum speed of 642 km/h (398 mph).
The armament consisted of six 20 mm (.80 in) Type 99 cannons in the wings.
Prototype under construction but was incomplete prior to end of war.
A7M3-J Reppū-Kai
Proposed land-based interceptor version powered by a 2,200 hp (1,600 kW) turbo-supercharged Mitsubishi Ha-43 engine including an inter-cooler, with a maximum speed of 648 km/h (402 mph).
The armament consisted of six 30 mm (1.20 in) Type 5 cannons, four wing-mounted & two oblique fuselage-mounted.