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Mitsubishi Mizushima

Truck

Field	Value
image	Mitsubishi-mizushima TM3C.jpg
caption	Mitsubishi Mizushima TM3C
name	Mitsubishi Mizushima
manufacturer	Mitsubishi
production	1947–1962

The Mitsubishi Mizushima is the first of a series of three-wheeled cargo carriers made in Japan by Mitsubishi between 1947 and 1962. A number of prototypes were built in 1946, leading to series production beginning in May 1947. Along with the Silver Pigeon scooter it represented the company's first contributions to the Japanese post-war personal transport boom.

Mizushima Works

The Mizushima Aircraft works was originally established in September 1943 to build the Mitsubishi G4M2 (504 examples) and later the N1K2-J Shiden-Kai (7 planes completed). The factory was built on mostly virgin land, and the township of Mizushima, Kurashiki was established around the plant. The factory was heavily damaged in a 22 June 1945 B-29 bombing raid and no more planes were produced. In November 1945, the Occupying Forces were petitioned to allow the company to be reorganized for peacetime activities, and Mizushima Engineering Works was born. Originally part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the zaibatsu was broken up into three separate companies in January 1950, with Mizushima becoming part of Central Japan Heavy-Industries, Ltd. This company was renamed Shin-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in May 1952, as the occupation ended and the Mitsubishi name was once again allowed to be used. The Mizushima factory changed name again in October 1960, becoming the "Mizushima Motor Works."

TM3

The Mizushima XTM-1 prototype was completed in 1946. The original production version (TM3A) appeared the following year and was a mechanically simple and rugged vehicle, with a 400 kg carrying capacity. Unlike most three-wheeled trucks in the market, however, the TM3A was equipped with a folding canvas covering and a windshield to protect the occupants.

Evolutions

Later models would be introduced offering greater load-bearing abilities and a wider variety of bodystyles. The 1948–50 TM3D model was built with a hardtop passenger cabin in response to customer demands, while the final development of the Mizushima line, the TM18 Mitsubishi 1500 pickup introduced in 1955, could carry up to two tons in its cargo bed. The first models had air-cooled single-cylinder engines, but with the 1955 TM7 a 1.3-liter OHV twin-cylinder engine with 36 PS appeared. This engine type diverged into a 1145 and a 1489 cc version in 1958, to help cover weight classes ranging from 1 to.

During the Mizushima's life approximately 91,000 were produced, before it was replaced by the Mitsubishi Minicab and various other four-wheeled light- and medium-duty trucks in 1962.

Mizushima models

Model	Engine	Power	Trans-
mission	Top Speed	Payload	Weight	Length	Width	Wheelbase	Cargo bed length	Years
produced	Notes
Layout	Type	PS	kW	at (rpm)	km/h	mph	kg	lb	kg	lb	mm	in
TM3A	744 cc air-cooled SV single	3A	13.5	10	3000	3MT	50	31	400 kg	585 kg	2797 mm	1750 mm
TM4E	886 cc air-cooled SV single	ME10	20.5	15	3400	55	34	1000 kg	780 kg	3610 mm	1452 mm	2360 mm
TM4F	1000 kg			3810 mm	1452 mm	2460 mm	{{convert	2150	mm	shaku in	sigfig=3	disp=table}}	1954-1956?
TM5F	1000 kg	875 kg	3810 mm	1550 mm	2460 mm	2150 mm	1955-195?
TM5G	1000 kg	920 kg	4210 mm	1550 mm	2575 mm	2550 mm	1955-195?
TM6	744 cc air-cooled SV single	6A	15	11	3400			750 kg			3360 mm	1452 mm
TM7A	1276 cc air-cooled OHV twin	ME7	36	26.5	3600	4MT	74/78	46/48.5	1500 kg	1235 kg	4500 mm	1680 mm
TM8B	72/76	45/47	2000 kg	1310 kg	5100 mm	1680 mm	3300 mm	3100 mm	1955-195?	TM8A is shorter; dimensions as per TM7A
TM11F	886 cc air-cooled SV single	ME10	20.5	15	3400	3MT	55	34	1000 kg	867 kg	3790 mm	1550 mm
TM11G	1000 kg	891 kg	4180 mm	1550 mm	2535 mm	2550 mm
TM12F	851 cc air-cooled OHV single	ME12	27	20	3600	4MT	74	46	1000 kg	900 kg	3940 mm	1550 mm
TM14G	72	45	1250 kg	925 kg	4290 mm	1550 mm	2700 mm	2550 mm	1957-195?	Also shorter TM14F; dimensions as per TM12F
TM15	1145 cc air-cooled OHV twin	ME15	36	26.5		78	48.5	1000 kg	980 kg	4130 mm	1640 mm	2765 mm
TM16	1250 kg	1010 kg	4480 mm	1640 mm	2890 mm	{{convert	2500	mm	shaku in	sigfig=3	disp=table}}
TM17	1489 cc air-cooled OHV twin	ME18	47	34.5		80	50	1500 kg	1160 kg	4510 mm	1690 mm	3050 mm
TM18	2000 kg	1230 kg	5110 mm	1690 mm	3350 mm	{{convert	3100	mm	shaku in	sigfig=3	disp=table}}

Leo

A Mitsubishi Leo, photographed at Fukuyama Motor and Clock Museum.

The 1959 Mitsubishi Leo, heavily influenced by the Mizushima, was a transition between the company's first post-war vehicles and the Mitsubishi Minica, which represented the company's future in the 1960s. The Leo used a 309 cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine, the ME20, producing 12.5 hp at 4,500 rpm. Payload was 300 kg, top speed 65 km/h.

Almost four decades later, Olivier Boulay would borrow heavily from the Leo for styling cues for his first prototypes when he became Mitsubishi Motors' design chief in 2001.

References

"1941–1950 Reconstruction, Recovery and Hope". Mitsubishi Motors South Africa.
"Rebuilding the Nation". Mitsubishi Motors South Africa.
"倉敷(水島)航空基地跡地". 空港探索 [Airport Exploration].
Miura, Hiroshi. (2015-06-04). "戦後７０年水島空襲の記憶たどる". [[The Asahi Shimbun]].
Toma, Setsuo. (2019-08-27). "「モーターファン」誌1952年1月号に載った広告". Miki Press.
(2013-09-14). "三菱重工業株式會社水島航空機製作所（第七製作所）・龜集團疎開工場". 大日本者神國也.
(January 2009). "空力特性と基本重視の高性能車を開発". JAHFA (Japan Automotive Hall of Fame).
"Mizushima". Mitsubishi Motors South Africa website.
"1940–1959". Mitsubishi Motors Web Museum.
路畑寺夜村. (1994-10-01). "三菱号三輪トラックTM14G「みずしま」が生んだ単気筒小型トラックの絶巓". YAESU Publishing co.ltd. [八重洲出版].
(2009). "360cc 軽商用貨物自動車 1950-1975". Yaesu Publishing.
Dawson, Chester. (November 5, 2001). "Mitsubishi Gets a Makeover". [[BusinessWeek]].

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