Description:
The Mitsubishi A8M Tatsumaki was inusual aircraft, it was larger than most Japanese fighters, but was surprisingly maneuverable, it had a radial engine inside the fuselage and the propeller was in the middle of the tail between the wings and stabilizers.

Some fictional history:
In November 1944, Japan desperately needed to counter B-29 Superfortress bombing raids. Mitsubishi responded by planning and manufacturing the A8M and Ki-123 Tatsumaki, both a fighter-interceptor, one for the Imperial Japanese Army and the other for Imperial Japanese Navy. During test flights, the first A8M1 prototype flew for the first time in December 1944 and reached 649 km/h) (400 mph) in level flight. The second sub-variant, the "A8M1 Mod. 22," flew for the first time in January 1945, reaching 735 km/h (450 mph) in level flight. This made it ideal for intercepting B-29 formations. Its high maneuverability also allowed it to engage other fighters such as the F4U Corsair and P-51 Mustang.

Due to a shortage of resources, the A8M Tatsumaki suffered from many complications, and although it entered service in May 1945, it was too late to have a significant impact on the war. After the war, all Tatsumaki were destroyed or scrapped, leaving only one surviving aircraft today.

A8M1 Mod. 22:
It was the fastest piston-engined A8M1, exceeding 730 km/h in level flight, had the capacity to carry 800 kg bombs and was armed with four 20 mm cannons, despite being noticeably larger than the Zero and Reppu, it was surprisingly maneuverable, being able to outturn any American fighter.

Engine: Mitsubishi Ha-43-42

Roles:
- Energy fighter
(Highly recommended for interception and altitude advantage)
- Turn fighter
(Viable against vulnerable opponents or in defensive maneuvers if energy is lost)

The aircraft it's armed with:

• 4 x 20 mm Type 99 Model 2
• 2 x 800 kg bombs

Controls:

• Ac1: Open/Close canopy
• Ac2: Change vision position to try to see under the nose
• Ac3: Retract wings
• Ac4: Landing hook
• Ac5: Drop bombs
• Ac6: Wings nav lights
• Ac7: Tail nav light
• Ac8: None

Variants:

• A8M1 Mod. 21
• A8M1 Mod. 21 Otsu
• Ki-123 I (A ground-based Tatsumaki designed for the Imperial Japanese Army, it lacks folding wings and hook)
• Ki-123 I otsu
• Ki-123 I hei (Same as Ki-123 I, with a better engine)
• A8M2-1 (Updated)
• Ki-123 II

Flight performance:

Max speed in level flight at 1000 m / 3280 ft:

• 735 km/h (456 mph)

Turn time at 300 km/h:

• Vertical: 15 s
• Horizontal: 13 s

Climb rate:

• 31.2 m/s

Speed to take off:

• 155 km/h (96 mph)

First built in game: June 4, 2025

First flight in game: June 5, 2025

I made a mistake, it said "First built/flight" was in January before, it was actually June 🙄