M6A - Japan's Submarine-borne Attack Aircraft

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  • Опубликовано: 28 сен 2024
  • The Aichi M6A "Seiran" was a Japanese purpose-made submarine-borne attack aircraft. Becoming ready in the closing stages of the Second World War, the M6A was the only one of its kind to be available during the conflict.
    Game footage and aircraft models
    War Thunder - / warthunder .
    00:04 History
    13:58 Opinion and Conclusion
    Disclaimer - This channel is apolitical. We do not endorse any kind of political view.
    Corrections
    None
    Music
    by order of appearance
    History:
    - Beautiful Oblivion by Scott Buckley ssoundcloud.com...
    Music promoted by httpswww.free-stock-music.com
    Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
    screativecommon...4.0
    - William Tell Overture (by Rossini) | RUclips Audio Library
    Conclusion:
    - Oh, crimson blood is burning "Aa Kurenai no Chi wa Moyuru" - Japanese 1944 song
    Sources
    - Operation Storm - Japan's Top Secret Submarines and Its Plan to Change the Course of World War II by John J. Geoghegan
    - Monogram Close-Up 13 - Aichi M6A1 Seiran by Robert C. Mikesh
    - Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War by R.J. Francillion
    - I-400 Japan's Secret Aircraft-Carrying Strike Submarine - Objective Panama Canal by Henry Sakaida, Gary Nila and Koji Takaki
    - Japanese Aircraft of World War II - 1937-1945 by Thomas Newdick
    - Japanese Aero-Engines 1910-1945 by Mike Goodwin and Peter Starkings
    - Several other sources like aircraft manuals and tests
    I do not own any of the images used in this video. The owners of such images are identified in the video itself.

Комментарии • 63

  • @brendonbewersdorf986
    @brendonbewersdorf986 Год назад +8

    I was not expecting this at all but it's a welcome suprise haha thank you for covering this one. Here is hoping the D4Y also gets a video that one is unique to

  • @KapiteinKrentebol
    @KapiteinKrentebol Год назад +7

    I think 1 is the picture that conveys best the M6A's purpose.
    2 is a very nice picture too.
    I agree that the project was forward thinking but it was also a waste of resources (which was actually a good thing for the allies).
    If Japan had these in numbers right at the attack of Pearl Harbor they could have attacked the Panama Canal immediately.
    But then again they could have send a few carriers there as well which could have done more damage.

  • @accadacastkr4912
    @accadacastkr4912 Год назад +5

    Japan made some of the best looking and performing aircraft made many 1 /48 scale models of them, inc the sheridin, even the i-100

  • @jaex9617
    @jaex9617 Год назад +11

    The big problem here is the cost of getting those bombs on target. Looking at the cost of the subs, the aircraft, and actually running the operation, it seems like an incredibly low bang-for-the-buck situation. In truth, it makes me wonder whether anyone in the Axis had ever studied logistics or operations research. These were relatively new disciplines at the time. Sounds like a joke, but I really wonder if no one in authority was familiar with basic cost-benefit / risk-return or SWOT analysis.

    • @allangibson8494
      @allangibson8494 Год назад

      The original design target was the Panama Canal lock gates. Rupturing the Gatun lake locks would take the canal out for six months minimum (because of the time the lake would need to refill).

    • @michaelpielorz9283
      @michaelpielorz9283 Год назад

      speaking of bang per dollar.means the atomic bomb and the B29 would have never been build

    • @jaex9617
      @jaex9617 Год назад +1

      ​@@allangibson8494Thanks for the info. Still a risky proposition but if it had succeeded it certainly would have been a problem for the Allies.

    • @jaex9617
      @jaex9617 Год назад

      ​@@michaelpielorz9283How do you come to that conclusion? Thanks.

  • @Lord.Kiltridge
    @Lord.Kiltridge Год назад +7

    As for my opinion, I will let the experts speak for me. The Americans were so impressed with the three captured I-400 class subs, that they were classified and sunk at a secret location out of fear that the Soviets would copy the design. They were _that_ good.

  • @theswampangel3635
    @theswampangel3635 Год назад +2

    Very interesting and well-researched. Your conclusions are sound. I’ll vote for #1.

  • @CaptainVasiliArkhipov
    @CaptainVasiliArkhipov Год назад +1

    Japan developed bubonic plague in Manchuria, 250,000 rats were used and fleas were infected, fleas deployed from submersible ultra long range aircraft carriers into every major US city might have had more effect than imaginable

    • @ejt3708
      @ejt3708 2 месяца назад +1

      I had heard there was a plan to attack the West coast with these planes. Fleas were difficult to keep alive on a sub tho? And contained?

  • @adamtruong1759
    @adamtruong1759 Год назад +1

    The I-400 design is interesting, but I also kind of see as a bit of a "bully" so to say, they can be successful at attacking small targets that can't really defend themselves, but if they meet any kind of resistance (like a group of Hellcats, or even FM Wildcats) they fall apart.

  • @smigoltime
    @smigoltime Год назад

    Finally somethingI never heard of, lovely one!

  • @vespelian
    @vespelian 11 месяцев назад

    Brilliant technology but ultimately a bonsai project on their own. Artwork no. 1.

  • @ajman66
    @ajman66 10 месяцев назад

    A pretty wild idea

  • @dante001ish
    @dante001ish Год назад

    There is something elegant about this design despite the purpose for which it was built for, sorry I know your preference for images but #2 is very striking.

  • @triceratops2929
    @triceratops2929 Год назад

    What are the seven military wonders of WW2?? 15:01

  • @jarheads88
    @jarheads88 Год назад

    # 1 great content super presentanion their is one off the coast of Hawaii USA

  • @RemusKingOfRome
    @RemusKingOfRome Год назад

    Another Great video.

  • @Riccardo_Silva
    @Riccardo_Silva Год назад

    The second you said. Japan wasted a lot in WWII. After all, what could six Seirans have accomplished? They could just have risen up the tally of some Hellcat's pilot.

  • @fliegeroh
    @fliegeroh Год назад

    Great video

  • @PeteSampson-qu7qb
    @PeteSampson-qu7qb 3 месяца назад

    The Japanese aircraft engineers were the match of anyone on earth but they were plagued by shortages and, in many cases, doctrine that was flawed. Japan was probably doomed when they invaded China and was definitely doomed when they attacked Pearl Harbor but they built some incredible aircraft.
    Cheers!

  • @garyhooper1820
    @garyhooper1820 Год назад

    These could add much to reconnaissance . The Pacific is ALOT of water , Not much punch tactically. Imo

  • @johnmorykwas2343
    @johnmorykwas2343 Год назад

    In numbers the M6A and the subs, would have been very dangerous to the Allies. # 1.

  • @stevenwilgus8982
    @stevenwilgus8982 Год назад

    Brilliant design: but like jets in Europe, too little, too late. Had the navy and army worked even half way better together, enough of these could have blocked the Panama Canal and made raids in various areas.
    Maybe, might have, could have.... famous words for many ideas.

  • @lawerancedodd690
    @lawerancedodd690 Год назад

    Number 2

  • @TheDkeeler
    @TheDkeeler Год назад

    The whole concept was an extravagant failure especially when you consider the Japanese submarine campaign against America and Australia was a failure as well. They didn't sink many ships compared to many they lost to American subs. The resources to build these massive subs would of best been used to build basic attack subs. Thanks great topic !

  • @magoid
    @magoid Год назад

    I do think those had great potential for precise strikes and long ranges. If you think about it, this is the "Amerika Bomber" Germany never had. But thankfully, just like German wonder weapons, those were just too feel and too late to make a difference in the war.

  • @gunshipgray4295
    @gunshipgray4295 Год назад

    2

  • @dnbot844
    @dnbot844 Год назад

    #1

  • @Redhand1949
    @Redhand1949 Год назад

    Well done. I had no idea these had the capability to be launched without floats! Same with the fake US natural metal scheme!

  • @Arthion
    @Arthion Год назад +3

    I reckon you should have emphasised how innovative the double fused pressure hull design was that allowed them to be so large in the first place, or how much trouble the Americans went through to keep the captured ones secret from the Soviets as they are sort of the grandfather of all modern large submarine designs thanks to that very design innovation.

  • @ukulelemikeleii
    @ukulelemikeleii Год назад +4

    I vote for picture number one; by the way, I had read somewhere that prior to surrender the Japanese had jettisoned all their aircraft because they felt that if they were found with the aircraft in u.s. markings, there would be dire consequences.

  • @LastGoatKnight
    @LastGoatKnight Год назад +2

    Answer to the question: I like the concept and it worked, so I think that these things would've give nightmares to sailors. And picture 1 is better in my opinion

  • @mariodelgado9729
    @mariodelgado9729 Год назад +4

    So each sub carried 3 planes with a capacity of one 800 kilo pay load, so the maximum delivery would be a possible total of 2400 kilos per sortie IF the mission was a success!. Do the math, each B 29 was able to carry in an average range around 5500 kilos and there was hundreds of planes per mission, so yeah no dice on this three plane aircraft carrier being more than resource drain on the Japanese just like Yamato, Musashi or the German Koing Tigre, Maus tanks.

    • @jaex9617
      @jaex9617 Год назад

      My reaction exactly. The direct and opportunity costs of getting that ordnance on target is ridiculous. For all their engineering fetishism, I really question whether anyone in the Axis knew anything about logistics and operations.

    • @RohanGillett
      @RohanGillett Год назад +1

      These planes were a novel and fun idea. But that's it. As you said, they only had an 800kg payload which was pretty minimal even if it hit the target. Of course, the submarines had to evade all the warships between Japan and the US. There were so many chance elements that the project had such a low chance of success. The whole idea was just a waste of resources, not efficient or useful at all. 2023 sees this logic repeat. Japan is rearming but doesn't have an economy to support it, but that won't deter them. They'll kill doing it and wasting their money.

    • @10OZDuster
      @10OZDuster 6 месяцев назад

      blocking/damaging the panama canal a high value target would be a big blow no one can pass through if block .....no ?......or the sub/aircraft dropping one load on the deck of carriers at night mission w/o being detected .........it just came too late thats why its a waste....if it came a year earlier could have serious consequence...but not saying japan will win because of it. Everything japan did at that late in time whatever it is totally useless if you think about it.

    • @ejt3708
      @ejt3708 2 месяца назад

      Just remember tho, the B29 costed more than the Manhattan Projecr. Difficult to attack anything without air superiority. Bio or chem weapons would have reduced the need for payload.

  • @sinisterisrandom8537
    @sinisterisrandom8537 Год назад +1

    The I-400 still continues to be the forerunner that helped create modern-day Nuclear submarines. So perhaps a waste in the war, due to a limited amount but in reality a long historical life that still continues to live on thanks to the technical information still gathered from it.

  • @neilfoster814
    @neilfoster814 Год назад +9

    I have to say, the land based version (with retractable undercarriage) was a nice looking aircraft.

  • @TallDude73
    @TallDude73 Год назад +2

    I would argue that German-planned attacks via V1 buzzbomb launches from U-boats against New York, countered by Operation Teardrop, would be a far better predecessor to ballistic missile submarines than the Japanese plan to start forest fires (doesn't lightning start most of them already?), but it's an interesting concept anyway. As with so many of these plans, the amount of effort and time spent never gets a return on investment.

    • @tyisen5125
      @tyisen5125 Год назад

      Testing a concept and actually implementing it were different. These were not the 'Fire starters', these were the result of ideas gained from them. Also, unlike the whole V1/U-Boat combo, the M6A/I-400 combo was proven to work.

  • @McRocket
    @McRocket 8 месяцев назад

    I choose #1 (barely).
    #2 is more attractive for the plane.
    But #1 conveys more information.
    I really enjoyed this.
    And I agree completely with your conclusions.
    Thank you for this.

  • @jacktattis
    @jacktattis Год назад

    Robotic Voice NO THANKS

  • @williamroberts1819
    @williamroberts1819 Год назад

    2 please

  • @donlawrence1428
    @donlawrence1428 Год назад

    I think it is a good idea for high value targets, especially if they perfected the tactics. Imagine if they could patrol the entire pacific, using recoverable aircraft. They could harass shipping lanes, hit and run, 6000 miles away!.

  • @VonRammsteyn
    @VonRammsteyn Год назад

    2

  • @mikepette4422
    @mikepette4422 Год назад

    well this is rare an aircraft I've never heard of before but frankly this is a very specialized plane that had very very few planes built so i think i can be forgiven for my failure

  • @nikojnemavakvo
    @nikojnemavakvo Год назад

    welcome to youtube :) its nice to see a new channel bringing new information, keep up the good work

  • @FireDragon16180
    @FireDragon16180 Год назад

    Very good video, thank you. it was a powerful weapon system

  • @augustosolari7721
    @augustosolari7721 Год назад

    Great weapon, had it attacked the Panamá Canal, it could have dealt a lot of damage.

  • @blairscartoonshistory7477
    @blairscartoonshistory7477 Год назад

    I’ll say artwork 1

  • @paulsnickles2420
    @paulsnickles2420 Год назад

    Very interesting video

  • @jb6027
    @jb6027 Год назад +2

    I saw this aircraft at Willow Grove Naval Air Station, outside of Philadelphia, in the 1960s. It and a number of other captured Japanese Aircraft were displayed together outside in the element for decades. I'm glad, given its historical value, that it is now properly restored and displayed.

  • @rodneyhull9764
    @rodneyhull9764 Год назад

    1

  • @ejt3708
    @ejt3708 2 месяца назад +1

    I was hoping there would be a discussion of the potential use of
    these planes to attack a major West coast US city with biological or chemical weapons. Japan had a huge (and brutal) program based in China. Not a war winner, but it would have caused havoc nonetheless.
    Mark Felton (quasi believable?) has a vid on this. Any thoughts?

    • @林清英-d6k
      @林清英-d6k Месяц назад

      NO!パナマ運河を攻撃する事が目的である、実際には攻撃に行く航行中に終戦となってしまい米軍に拿捕され武装解除されれた
      😎😎😎

  • @carlnewman7096
    @carlnewman7096 Год назад +1

    I think the concept of the submarine aircraft carrier was brilliant & to see that It was brought to fruition is such a practical was wS incredible, that the fleet been available earlier in the war & in large numbers it could have been a real headache for the allies & game changer in regards to naval airpower tactics.
    Image 1 is my favourite.

  • @iDarkfigure
    @iDarkfigure Год назад +1

    I've always believed that R&D was getting a little out of hand and a huge waste of dwindling resources late in the war for the axis forces during WWII. complicated concepts and ideas simply seemed be too little too late and on too small of a scale to realistically make a difference in the outcome... The Nazi Aircraft carrier is a classic example! Although interesting to hear all the details of these projects... it all boils down to they still would have lost the war anyway.

  • @eddies6977
    @eddies6977 9 месяцев назад

    Well done. I too always thought of the M6A and its submarine platform as a novelty but you showed it a light that I too have given it more thought and appreciation for the engineering, from proof of concept to actual deployment back in 1943 was not a feat to trivialize.