In 1921, theImperial Japanese Navy placed an order with the newly established aircraft subsidiary ofMitsubishi for three types of carrier-based aircraft, consisting of afighter, reconnaissance aircraft andtorpedo bomber. Mitsubishi hired a team ofBritish engineers led byHerbert Smith, formerly ofSopwith Aviation Company to design these aircraft. Smith's design for a reconnaissance aircraft, designated by Mitsubishi the2MR, first flew on 12 January 1922.[2]
The 2MR was of similar layout to the contemporary1MF fighter (i.e. a single-bay woodenbiplane), but scaled up to accommodate a two-man crew, and was powered by a similar license-builtHispano-Suiza engine. After successful testing, the 2MR was adopted by the Japanese Navy as theNavy Type 10 Carrier Reconnaissance Aircraft (Type 10 referring to the year of ordering of 1921, the tenth year of theTaishō period), with production continuing until 1930, a total of 159 being built.[3]
In 1930, Mitsubishi developed two aircraft to meet anImperial Japanese Army Air Force requirement for a short-range reconnaissance aircraft, the2MR7, a biplane developed from the 2MR and theB2M torpedo bomber and the2MR8 parasolmonoplane, with the 2MR8 being successful and ordered into service as the Type 92 Reconnaissance Aircraft. This aircraft was unrelated to the Navy 2MR aircraft.
The biplane series of the 2MR continued in service aboard Japan'saircraft carriers through the 1920s and into the 1930s, with versions being used as intermediatetrainers until the late-1930s.[3] Many were converted to civil use, being used both as trainers and for communications purposes for newspaper companies. Some remained in civilian service until 1938.[2]
1 X as second letter is for experimental aircraft or imported technology demonstrators not intended for service,2 Hyphenated trailing letter (-J, -K, -L, -N or -S) denotes design modified for secondary role,3 Possibly incorrect designation, but used in many sources
