Made during WWII for the benefit of air crew and anti-aircraft gunnery crews, this identification film profiles the Imperial Japanese Navy’s Type 95 fighter biplane, and the Type 96 torpedo bomber biplane. Films such as this one were important training tools, and used not only to allow proper reporting of engagements and kills, but to prevent friendly-fire incidents. It’s noteworthy that both aircraft shown in this film had American counterparts, in the case of the Type 95 the Boeing P-12 looked extremely similar. The Type 96 somewhat resembled a Curtiss SBC4, as the film shows at (9:06).

The Type 95 (1:04), also known as the Nakajima A4N, was a carrier-based fighter used by the Imperial Japanese Navy, and the last biplane designed by Nakajima. The first prototype was completed in 1934, but due to engine trouble the aircraft did not see service until 1936. Given the Nakajima internal designation Nakajima YM, the Japanese Navy designation was Navy Type 95 Carrier Fighter. A total of 221 were built.

The Type 96 (seen at 7:15), also known as Yokosuka B4Y, carrier torpedo bomber was used by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service from 1936 to 1943. It was a three place aircraft. The B4Y was the last biplane bomber used operationally by the Imperial Japanese Navy. The Allied reporting name was “Jean”.

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com