Pearl Harbor Defense

From: Guy Alcala

What was "normal" fuel consumption for the Zero?

I have a vague memory of reading 30-35gal./hr. somewhere, but don't hold me
to
it. The A6M2 had the Sakae 12 engine, which was only rated at 950 hp or so.

So by using the standard procedures outlined by Mr. Stickney, they were cutting
normal fuel consumption by about a third, which sounds right. There used to be
a belief in the long ago that low rpm and high manifold pressure would wreck an
engine, but everybody seems to have discovered that wasn't so as soon as they
needed to extend range.

USN numbers interesting. Thanks for posting.

Ah, found something, a note from a fellow who flew P-40Ns in the Pacific,
saying that he regularly flew combat missions of 800 miles, cruising to and
from the target area at 170IAS at 8,000ft., 30gph. This would get them over
the target with nearly empty 75g belly tanks, which they would jettison, do
their thing and head home, landing after about 5 hours in the air.


Chris Mark