Aichi E13A

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E13A

E13A
Type	Reconnaissance seaplane
Manufacturer	Aichi
Primary user	Imperial Japanese Navy
Number built	1,418

The Aichi E13A (Allied reporting name: "Jake") was a longe-range reconnaissance seaplane used by the Japanese Imperial Navy 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. The Navy designation was "Type Zero Recon Seaplane" (零式水上偵察機).

In China it operated from carriers and cruisers. Later it was used as a scout for Pearl Harbor, and was encountered in combat by the US Navy during the Coral Sea and Midway battles. 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 mission in the last days of war.

At least one example was known to be in service with the French Navy Air Force during the First Indochina War, while others were believed to be operated by Naval Air Arm of 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.

[edit] 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
- E13A1c: anti-surface vessel version equipped with two downward-firing belly-mounted 20 mm Type 99 Mk 2 cannons in addition to bombs or depth charges

[edit] Production

Constructed by Aichi:133
Constructed by Watanabe (Kyushu):1,127
Constructed by Hiro Naval Arsenal: 48

[edit] Specifications (E16A1)

General characteristics

Crew: two, pilot and observer
Length: 14.50 m (37 ft 1 in)
Wingspan: 14.50 m (47 ft 7 in)
Height: 4.70 m (15 ft 5 in)
Length: 36.0 m² (387 ft²)
Empty weight: 2,642 kg (5,825 lb)
Maximum weight: 4,000 kg (8,800 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Mitsubishi Kinsei 43 radial engine, 810 kW (1,080 hp)

Performance

Maximum speed: 375 km/h (234 mph)
Range: 2,100 km (1,300 miles)
Service ceiling: 8,700 m (28,500 ft)
Rate of climb: 8.2 m/s (1,610 ft/min)
[edit] Armament
1 × flexible, rearward-firing 7.7 mm Type 92 machine gun for observer
250 kg (550 lb) of bombs

[edit] Gallery

Aichi E13 floatplane wreck, sunk in Kavieng Harbor, New Ireland, Papua New Guinea

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