Mitsubishi used to make a LOT of cool things

"No, I don't thank you for the fish at all" (notindetroit) 05/11/2014 at 10:12 • Filed to: Mitsubishi

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Yes, we know, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! Cars that had all four of their wheels contribute to steering and legitimate FWD budget rockets were awesome. The awesomeness wasn't even limited to the road. At one time Mitsubishi manufactured a whole bunch of awesome stuff - it was pretty much a household name in the 80s, something that's pretty much forgotten now aside from !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! I mean, you could literally fill your home with Mitsubishi products! But let's look at some other modes of transportation first (and for the most part we'll skip the WWII and other war stuff, for the kids you know).

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above image credit !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

The Kounotori

What the heck is the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! you say? Why, it's a freakin' space ship! Yes, that's right, it goes IN SPACE! Specifically it resupplies the Kibo , the Japanese contribution to the International Space Station. Don't expect to be able to pony up a quarter million for space rides, though - like its European counterpart, it's completely unmanned. At least you can buy a ride on the Russian Soyuz and... !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

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Mu-2 Solitare/Marquise

Image credit Pedro Aragaro via Wikipedia

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! Long story short, it's a plane, it's really fast, and it has a tendency to make kamikaze attacks against empty ground because people don't know how to fly it right.

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Mu-300 Diamond

Mitsubishi didn't stop there, however. They naturally went from the progression of turboprops to full jets, because jets are better than turboprops, because jets . And they continued with the gem-themed naming, naturally going with Diamond to indicate their new top-line jet product, because diamonds . And instead of just calling it the Mu-3, they went for Mu-3 oo , because, I don't know, triple-digits baby! (Also, probably because they foretold the opportunity for THIS! IS! SPARTAAA! jokes 30 years before that kind of thing would be played out). The Mu-300 was broadly competitive with other light bizjets like the Cessna Citation (no, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and the ubiquitous LearJet, probably the ur-image of this class of aircraft. Eventually the design was bought by Raytheon who produced it under their Beechcraft line as the BeechJet, then BeechJet 400 and finally Hawker 400. Raytheon also produced a version for the USAF called the T-1 Jayhawk (not to be confused with the Coast Guard's version of the H-60 Black Hawk) used to train crews for large aircraft like the B-52 cargo aircraft like the C-5 and KC-135 (thanks to Dirtymax for the tip) (like the example above, used by the Tuskegee Airmen commemorative/education squadron).

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MH2000

image credit !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

The MH2000 was to be a very advanced light/medium utility helicopter utilizing then-cutting edge construction such as carbon fiber components and the latest in aluminum metallurgy. It ended up being a very poor seller - and it's not hard to see why. I mean, look at it, it kind of looks like a combination of a tadpole and a Camry. More practical matters persisted - the prototype was first flown in 1996 and the first production ready frame wasn't delivered until four years later . Even in the world of light helicopters, that's pretty slow. All that "cutting edge construction" didn't alleviate a weight issue, and there was a minor flaw that might've effected sales regarding the rear tail rotor called suddenly separating itself from the rest of the aircraft causing it to crash . Supposedly, that's been fixed. So, yeah. Good news for the dozen or so proud owners out there.

Mitsubishi Regional Jet

image credit "ILA Boy" via Wikipedia

This one's still a work in progress so...yeah. I'll get back to you on that one as soon as it flies. Hopefully Kinja will still be around then and not mutated into some abominable semi-sentient mash-up of posting system and deranged obsessed stalker bent on taking Reddit down.

Shinkai 6500

The Japanese counterpart to the deep-diving submersible Alvin , the Shinkai 6500 is likewise a research apparatus.

MEISTeR

image from !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

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Oooh, look at you Honda, with your fancy little !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! robot and its cute little iPod-inspired spacesuit! Sure, Mitsubishi's effort might be more frightening than Honda's first, ED-209-inspired effort, but at least it has a clear practical purpose - to explore the wreckage of the tsunami-ravaged Fukoshima nuclear powerplant.

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Diamond-Vision

image from the official Diamond-Vision website

Perhaps - literally - the most visible consumer product Mitsubishi has made (and continues to manufacture) is the Diamond-Vision "jumbotron" screen for large-scale public events.

Mitsubishi TVs

Yeah, I know this is SHARP and not Mitsubishi but it's got George Takei!

I remember Mitsubishi TVs being a big deal back in the 80s and 90s when SD "fatback" TVs were the only game in town and just having color was good enough. But just like with planes and cars better competition squeezed them out in the HD age.

Room Air Conditioners

Just listen to that soothing, monotone vaguely British voice. Doesn't it make you want to go out and buy a Mitsubishi air conditioner, unless you happen to have central air?

b33g33 > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 05/11/2014 at 10:54

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These made us get our collective asses in gear and build some shit that wasn't 10 years out-of-date ...

cnessel27 > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 05/11/2014 at 10:58

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They have the record for the tallest elevator test building.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solae_(to…

It's amazing how many different things they have made.

sebdel > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 05/11/2014 at 11:03

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You forgot to mention the world's fatest elevator in the shangai tower http://www.popsci.com/content/world%…

JohnDoeIII > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 05/11/2014 at 11:07

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I still wish they made the 1080P DLP rear projection TVs. As far as screen size goes, it was a good value for screen size. I still regret not getting the 92" model before they quit making them.

scotty1186 > b33g33 05/11/2014 at 11:12

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clicked the story just to post this. Well done.

Brosenkranz > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 05/11/2014 at 11:13

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I'll let you in on a little secret: Neither the MU-2 nor the MU-300 are cool in any way.

Why does the MU-2 suck? Because it takes a freaking hour to fuel the thing. First you have to start with the main tanks on the wings, one at a time. Do that side, then do the other. There might even be auxiliary tanks on some of them which you do the same thing to. Then you go out to the tip tanks and fuel one at a time. The reason you do those last is because if you fill one first the damn plane will tip over. It's stupid.

The MU-300 sucks because it also gets fueled over wing and it has three tanks. The third is called the "trunk" and is in the back. You have to climb up a ladder to get to it. But unlike Beech's improved fuel port where you can simply climb a ladder and spend 40 minutes trickling fuel into this bullshit tank, on the earlier Mitsu you have to climb a ladder and crawl up, over and lay on top of the right engine, all while not whacking the filler nozzle on anything, wrangle the hose into a shape that allows you to put the nozzle into the filler neck, and THEN wait 40 minutes for the fuel to trickle down.

These things spend as much time on the ground getting serviced as they do in the air. It's awful.

JayHova > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 05/11/2014 at 11:15

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But now the coolest thing in Mitsubishi's product line-up is this:

speeddemon807 > b33g33 05/11/2014 at 11:17

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Also have the racing off road arm of Ralliart with their championship winning rally vehicles including 4 time WRC champ Makinen.

PharaohSteve > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 05/11/2014 at 11:23

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Everyone is missing the point!

Jimmy Joe Meeker > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 05/11/2014 at 11:29

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Jared Glentz > b33g33 05/11/2014 at 11:34

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yeah about that...

ConnieHawkinsesHawkConnie > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 05/11/2014 at 11:36

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Mitsubishi still makes spiral escalators that are pretty neat

zephyr0 > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 05/11/2014 at 11:44

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These are mostly built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, who still build some pretty awesome stuff, they own the Mitsubishi motors.

My X-type is too a real Jaguar > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 05/11/2014 at 11:46

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I have one of their room air conditioners, freakin' awesome is how i describe it, plus cheaper than an entire additional HVAC system just because you converted your screen porch into a year round living space.

Tatanko > ConnieHawkinsesHawkConnie 05/11/2014 at 11:58

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Whaaaat... that's so cool.

Kiltedpadre > Brosenkranz 05/11/2014 at 11:58

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Beat me to it. I never had the displeasure of dealing with an MU-300, but MU-2's being used by freight operators were a much hated site on the ramp when I worked as a refueler. Throw in that when they were loaded with freight thanks to the gear pods you had to hand unload most things because you couldn't count on getting the forks of a forklift completely under a pallet.

The only thing that might beat these for worst to refuel would be the couple of Cessna Caravan's that came through on floats which hadn't been converted to single point refueling. Had to add a ladder on top of the fuel truck to get up high enough. We really ticked one guy off when we told him there was too much wind for us to do that, and if he wanted it refueled he'd have to do it himself.

5APU > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 05/11/2014 at 11:59

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They also made one of the first flying cigars that doesn't take much to light up

Tatanko > My X-type is too a real Jaguar 05/11/2014 at 11:59

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I have one of their A/C units in my office. It's in a dorm building that was built in 1947 and as such does not have central air (it's a huge 700+ room building). My office is the only room in the entire building with A/C and it works really, really well.

Struts MacPherson > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 05/11/2014 at 12:00

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What about this one?

Struts MacPherson > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 05/11/2014 at 12:02

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Maxaxle > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 05/11/2014 at 12:04

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This looks like a bigger version of the helicopter that the rich guy had in Inception.

My X-type is too a real Jaguar > Tatanko 05/11/2014 at 12:13

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The nice thin is they have units that look like central air units on the outside and only require a 4 inch hole through the wall, for anal retentive people like me who think window AC units are ugly.

The Biebster's got a P71 (Formerly not Justin Bieber) > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 05/11/2014 at 12:15

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I had a Mitsubishi TV. It was shit. It was also free. And from 1991.

Louis Subearth > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 05/11/2014 at 12:16

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One day, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will build mecha robots to fulfill anime fantasies like Gundam, E.V.A. 01 from Evangelion, Mazinger and the Jaegers from Pacific Rim.

solracer > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 05/11/2014 at 12:33

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They do make the Boeing 787’s wings which is pretty darn cool IMHO.

solracer > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 05/11/2014 at 12:34

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I do long for the days that their lineup include the Starion, Cordia Turbo and Mirage Turbo. Not only were they all fast cars for their day but Mitsubishi had a unique style that was not easily mistaken for other cars.

The Transporter > b33g33 05/11/2014 at 13:09

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Tangentially related to this and the postal truck article on the FP, I really want to buy a Grumman LLV and turn it into a drift machine by stripping as much unnecessary weight out as possible, putting an LS7 up front with a TR-6060, painting it up like a F6F Hellcat, and calling it the "Marianas Turkey Shoot" complete with kill marks for every Japanese and German car I beat. On the back would be a sign that says "This machine destroys Mitsubishis."

special_k_side > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 05/11/2014 at 13:26

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Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and all of their attached companies, make everything from Jet Fighters, to PLC's, Speed controls, huge ships, helicopters..... they are like GE used to be.... :) https://www.mhi-global.com/

BOB JACOBSON > Brosenkranz 05/11/2014 at 13:29

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I have to disagree in part.

They are extremely good performersand very capable machines plus they run garetts. that combination gives them a pretty phenomenal fuel mileage.

stikiller451 > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 05/11/2014 at 13:51

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mitsubishi printing press we use to own before we switched over to completely Heidelberg presses cause German

lie2me > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 05/11/2014 at 13:54

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I wish they'd make this...

Instead of this...

ranwhenparked > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 05/11/2014 at 14:43

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Probably the time to point out that none of those are from Mitsubishi Motors, but from other members of the Mitsubishi keiretsu that all share the same name and logo.

DayWooTang > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 05/11/2014 at 15:05

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My first computer monitor was a Mitsubishi 19" Diamond Pro and it had a fantastic picture for it's day.

American Locomotive > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 05/11/2014 at 15:22

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Used to? The Mitsubishi group still does. Mitsubishi automobiles is to the Mitsubishi group as Subaru to Fuji Heavy Industries.

Dirtymax > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 05/11/2014 at 15:39

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The T-1 is used to train pilots headed to cargo and tanker aircraft, not bombers. Folks going fighter or bomber train in the mighty T-38. Harrumph.

PaAudiZS4 > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 05/11/2014 at 15:45

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my best friend had a 60 inch fat back Mitsubishi tv back in the day. Thing was huge

Autolegend86 > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 05/11/2014 at 16:27

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The MU-2 is the only plane i know of that has a louder taxi (much louder) than its takeoff roll.

MozzaShnipes > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 05/11/2014 at 16:35

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I own this: A Mitsubishi TX-73 stereo system. It still works beautifully, though it needs a new antenna. Sound quality is definitely outdated, but because it uses RCA plugs, I can always swap something else. I still use it sometimes even up to today. Look, it even has sliders for the equalizer!

drunkenaviatorr > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 05/11/2014 at 16:45

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I'm pretty skeptical about the MRJ. The last two planes that mitsubishi produced were the Zero and the MU-2. And the MU-2 killed more american pilots than the zero.

Tatanko > My X-type is too a real Jaguar 05/11/2014 at 17:08

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That's exactly the kind we have set up in my office! :) The condenser is two stories down on the ground.

Doctor-G-and-the-wagen > Louis Subearth 05/11/2014 at 17:09

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I suppose I'll have to wait for some one else to make a Getter. My money is on Subaru (they like to combine things) or Nissan (crazy.)

west-coaster > b33g33 05/11/2014 at 20:20

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And somewhat comically, ten or so years ago, Mitsubishi had a heavily-advertised promotion called "Zero-Zero-Zero." It meant zero money down, zero (something) and zero (something), but all I could think about was the planes that attacked Pearl Harbor.

It almost seemed like something on SNL, but it was a campaign that ran for quite a while. I always wondered if there was any kind of discussion about the name in some conference room somewhere.

RichardNixon72 > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 05/11/2014 at 21:05

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Ah, the MU-2 - The plane that tipped over if you didn't fill the tanks 30 gallons at a time. Great plane. Not really. Also, death trap. Also, indicative of Mitsubishi in general.

RichardNixon72 > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 05/11/2014 at 21:06

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Additionally, this just proves that Mitsubishi has no business making cars since it clearly makes other things in a more superior fashion. Stop embarrassing yourself.

f133x > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 05/11/2014 at 21:33

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the air conditioner commercial's spokesperson sounds more australian than british.

puppyknuckles > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 05/11/2014 at 23:03

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Mitsubishi. Born from air conditioners, huge freakin TVs, the Zero, helicopters, and spaceships. And jets.

TobleroneTunnel > b33g33 05/11/2014 at 23:25

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Yes. The list should have started and ended with the Zero.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > b33g33 05/12/2014 at 00:07

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The alloys used were very advanced but the zero obtained that edge in maneuverability, climb rate and range at the cost of durability.

iforgotmyburnerkeyagain > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 05/12/2014 at 00:14

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SCREW YOU I LIKE MY OUTLANDER SPORT OR ASX OR RVR OR WHATEVER FUCK YOU.

also mitsubishi air conditioners are cool as shit

Woodyward > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 05/12/2014 at 00:18

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Because Jets - Flight Club - would be an awesome t-shirt

SukhoiRomantic > f133x 05/12/2014 at 01:23

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On the Australian Aircon ads, we have Ed Halmaji who has a soft aussie accent. He used to be one a home improvement show or something. Their biggest competitor is Fujitsu "Australias favourite imported japanese air conditioner!'' who has been spruiked by tubby Taylor, who used to be captain of Australias cricket team back when it was awesome

Krieger (@FSKrieger22) > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 05/12/2014 at 03:51

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I actually had a Mitsubishi air conditioner in my bedroom. It worked great most of the time (for a long time), but when it broke, it took quite the effort to get it to work again.

Arrrgh-Type > Jimmy Joe Meeker 05/12/2014 at 06:32

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Arrrgh-Type > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 05/12/2014 at 06:37

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Look, I get it. It's cool to make fun of Mitsubishi Motors these days. They certainly deserve it in a lot of ways. But they do make at least one interesting car, in some parts of the world at least: the Outlander PHEV, and actual honest-to-God plug-in 4WD hybrid SUV. It's their ace in the hole, if they can release it in the US before all of their dealerships disappear: http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/mi…

sammyjay > Jimmy Joe Meeker 05/12/2014 at 06:57

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JDM as fuck

Planespotting > b33g33 05/12/2014 at 08:46

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Yeah, that got us to build the Hellcat, which is awesome.

Dr. Strangegun > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 05/12/2014 at 08:51

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...and survivability. The Zero was essentially a large aerobatics plane with guns, where the defensive design was simply to not get shot.

Jimbobway > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 05/12/2014 at 09:02

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In high school I woked at an FBO (think airport gas station) and the local hospitals used one of these to fly patients to other regional hospitals. This is a really, really nice plane.

DipodomysDeserti > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 05/12/2014 at 09:54

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Don't forget turbos!

Louis Subearth > Doctor-G-and-the-wagen 05/12/2014 at 12:28

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I can see Subaru's parent company, Fuji Heavy Industries, building anthropomorphic battle machines, Nissan, not so much, they'll build the surrender machines with Renault.

Doctor-G-and-the-wagen > Louis Subearth 05/12/2014 at 14:21

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I'd say Nissan is crazy enough, and this isn't even touching their concepts.

GTRB26 > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 05/12/2014 at 14:37

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mitsubishi as a conglomerate makes quarter trillion dollars of revenue every year. they are no joke, one of the big4 zaibatsus.

Louis Subearth > Doctor-G-and-the-wagen 05/12/2014 at 17:27

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One thing is building cars, and another thing is to build skyscraper-tall battle robots. Nissan might build diesel engines for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries through Nissan Shatai, but that's about it. Maybe Shiro Nakamura will design the exterior to look like the R35, as they say it was inspired by mecha.

Louis Subearth > JohnDoeIII 02/24/2015 at 15:25

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Mitsubishi still makes big flat screen TVs, with 1080p and perhaps 4K.

JohnDoeIII > Louis Subearth 02/24/2015 at 17:22

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They still make a flat screen, but they don't make the DLP rear projections any more. For it's size that was the best bang for the buck. Nowadays, if I'm considering a flat screen, Mitsubishi is one of the last brands I think of.