Aichi E13A
| E13A | |
|---|---|
| |
| E13A | |
| Role | Reconnaissance seaplane |
| Manufacturer | Aichi |
| Introduction | 1941 |
| Primary users | Imperial Japanese Navy Royal Thai Navy |
| Number built | 1,418 |
The Aichi E13A (Allied reporting name: "Jake") was a long-range reconnaissance seaplane used by the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) from 1941 to 1945. Numerically the most important seaplane of the IJN, it could carry a crew of three and a bombload of 250 kg (550 lb). The Navy designation was "Type Zero Recon Seaplane" (零式水上偵察機).
In China, it operated from aircraft carriers and cruisers. Later, it was used as a scout for the Attack on Pearl Harbor, and was encountered in combat by the United States Navy during the Battles of Coral Sea and Midway. It was in service throughout the conflict, for coastal patrols, strikes against navigation, liaison, officer transports, castaway rescues, and other missions, along with some kamikaze missions in the last days of war.
Eight examples were operated by the French Navy Air Force during the First Indochina War from 1945-1947,[1] while others were believed to be operated by the Naval Air Arm of the Royal Thai Navy before the war. One example captured by New Zealand forces was flown by RNZAF personnel in theatre, but sank and was not repaired after a float leaked.Latest in 1948 five examples was captured in Jeju by the ROKAF.Evaluated until 1949 december that aircrafts are entered in service in the Korean war as reconaissance,scort,coastal patrols and rescue missions.Two of that airrcafts was destroyed by a North korean assault ship and the other three was replaced by the P-51.
Versions
- E13A1
Prototypes and first production model, later designated Mark 11.
- E13A1-K
Trainer version with dual controls
- E13A1a
Redesigned floats, improved radio equipment
- E13A1a-S
Night-flying conversion
- E13A1b
As E13A1a, with Air-Surface radar
- E13A1b-S
Night-flying conversion of above
- E13A1c
Anti-surface vessel version equipped with two downward-firing belly-mounted 20 mm Type 99 Mark II cannons in addition to bombs or depth charges
Production
- Constructed by Aichi Tokei Denki KK:133
- Constructed by Watanabe (Kyūshū Hikoki KK):1,237[2]
- Constructed by Dai-Juichi Kaigun Kokusho: 48
Specifications (E13A1)
Data from [2]
General characteristics
- Crew: three[3]
Performance
Armament
- Guns: 1 × flexible, rearward-firing 7.7 mm (.303 in) Type 92 machine gun for observer
- Bombs: 250 kg (551 lb) of bombs
Gallery
Aichi E13 floatplane wreck, sunk in Kavieng Harbor, New Ireland, Papua New Guinea
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Aichi E13 "Jake" floatplane wreck -
Divers next to cockpit of Aichi E13 "Jake" floatplane wreck -
Aichi E13 "Jake" floatplane wreck, front view -
Aichi E13 "Jake" floatplane wreck, cockpit detail -
Aichi E13 "Jake" floatplane wreck, cockpit detail
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
References
Notes
Bibliography
- Dorr, Robert E. and Bishop, Chris. Vietnam Air War Debrief. London:Aerospace Publishing, 1996. ISBN 1 874023 78 6.
- Francillon, René J. Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War. London: Putnam & Company Ltd., 1970 (2nd edition 1979). ISBN 0-370-30251-6. Pages 277-281.
- Green, William. Warplanes of the Second World War, Volume Six: Floatplanes. London: Macdonald & Co.(Publishers) Ltd., 1962. Pages 114-115.
External links
