The Ryan XF2R Dark Shark was a development of Ryan’s earlier FR-1 Fireball. First flying in November 1946, it retained the mixed power plant of its predecessor, but replaced the piston engine with a General Electric T31 turboprop engine. The jet intakes were moved from the wing roots to the fuselage sides and the vertical stabiliser was squared off.
Despite proving a capable aircraft the navy cancelled development as they considered all-jet aircraft to be superior. The Fireball had been designed at a time when jet aircraft lacked ranged, so for a brief time a mix of a jet and piston engines provided a solution. However by the time the Dark Shark flew jet engines were becoming more efficient.
Ryan XF2R Dark SharkRyan XF2R Dark SharkRyan XF2R Dark SharkRyan XF2R Dark SharkRyan XF2R Dark SharkRyan XF2R Dark SharkRyan XF2R Dark SharkRyan XF2R Dark SharkRyan XF2R Dark SharkRyan XF2R Dark SharkRyan XF2R Dark SharkRyan XF2R Dark SharkRyan XF2R Dark SharkRyan XF2R Dark SharkRyan XF2R Dark SharkRyan XF2R Dark SharkRyan XF2R Dark SharkRyan XF2R Dark SharkRyan XF2R Dark SharkRyan XF2R Dark SharkRyan XF2R Dark SharkRyan XF2R Dark Shark
The Nakajima G5N Shinzan (“Deep Mountain”), code named “Liz” by the Allies was a four-engined heavy bomber designed for the Imperial Japanese Navy. Prior to undertaking the design, Nakajima acquired the Douglas DC-4 prototype, as they lacked experience with this type of aircraft.
Powered by four 1,870 hp Nakajima NK7A Mamori engines, the first of four G5N1 prototypes first flew on 11 April 1941. Performance was disappointing, as the design was overweight and the engines proved unreliable.
In an effort to improve reliability, the engines were replaced with 1,530 hp Mitsubishi MK4B 12 “Kasei” engines. Two aircraft were built in this configuration and although more reliable, the G5N2 was even more underpowered.
Of the six prototypes built four were used as transports (designated G5N2-L) operated by the 1021st Kōkutai.
Nakajima G5N2Nakajima G5NNakajima G5N2Nakajima G5N2Nakajima G5N2-L Shinzan ’03’Nakajima G5N2-LNakajima G5N2-LNakajima G5N2-LNakajima G5N1 Tail TurretNakajima G5N1 dorsal turretCockpit of Nakajima G5N No.1Nakajima G5N at Atsugi Air Base Japan 1945Nakajima G5N Shinzan of the 1021 Kōkutai at Atsugi air baseNakajima G5N2-L Shinzan Kai of the 1021 Kokutai coded 21-05Nakajima G5N2-LWreckage of a Nakajima G5N2-LNakajima G5N1 (right) and Nakajima G8N1 Renzan (left)
Launched on 19 July 1902, Orel (sometimes Oryol) was a Borodino-class pre-dreadnought battleship built for the Imperial Russian Navy. Entering service in October 1904, she sailed on 15 October 1904, with the Second Pacific Squadron to break the Japanese blockade of Port Arthur.
The Japanese captured the port while the squadron was in transit and their destination was changed to Vladivostok. During the Battle of Tsushima on 27 May 1905 Orel was not heavily engaged and received only moderate damage. The following morning, the remains of the Russian fleet were discovered by the Japanese battlefleet. The Russian ships were too slow to enable them to close the range and effectively reply. The Russian commander Rear Admiral Nikolai Nebogatov decided to surrender his ships.
Renamed Iwami, she was rebuilt between 1905 and 1907 and was commissioned into the Imperial Japanese Navy on 2 November 1907. At the start of the Japanese intervention in Siberia during the Russian Civil War, she landed a company of marines in Vladivostok. She was reclassified as a first-class coast defense ship in September 1921 and used as a training ship. In accordance with the terms of the Washington Naval Treaty, Japan agreed to scrap Iwami. She was disarmed in April 1922 and used as a depot ship until she was struck on 1 September. Iwami was moored to the west of the island of Jōgashima near the mouth of Tokyo Bay and used as a target by aircraft of the Yokosuka Naval Air Group from 5–8 July, finally sinking on 10 July 1924.
Orel under constructionOrel just after launchOrel just after launchOrel fitting outOrel before commissioningOrel during an Imperial ReviewOrel in 1904OrelOrel At RevelOrel in 1904Orel At AnchorOrel Orel CoalingOrel during a coaling operation
