Aichi E11A

The Aichi E11A (“Kyujuhachi Yatei") was an Imperial Japanese Navy flying boat used during the first year of World War II for maritime patrol duties. The Allied reporting name for the type was "Laura"; the Navy designation was "Type 98 Reconnaissance Seaplane". Type 98 was quite similar to the earlier E10A Type 96 whose allied name was “Hank”. Laura was rare- only 17 were built, and its intended use appears to be equally rare- launched from cruisers or battleships in order to spot the shellfire of opposing ships at night. The Type 98's were soon diverted from patrol to communications and transport duties.

Variants

• E11A1 : Night reconnaissance flying boat for the Imperial Japanese Navy. Production version.

Specifications (Aichi E11A1)

Data from Warplanes of the Second World War, Volume Five: Flying Boats

General characteristics

• Crew: Three

Performance Armament

• 1 × 7.7 mm Type 92 machine gun

References

Bibliography

• Francillon, René J. Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War. London: Putnam & Company Ltd., 1970 (2nd edition 1979). ISBN 0-370-30251-6. Pages 489-490.
• Green, William. Warplanes of the Second World War, Volume Five: Flying Boats. London: Macdonald & Co.(Publishers) Ltd., 1962 (5th impression 1972). ISBN 0-356-01449-5. Pages 124-125.

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

• Aichi E10A Type 96

Related lists List of military aircraft of Japan