Kawanishi E7K
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| E7K | |
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| Type | reconnaissance floatplane |
| Manufacturer | Kawanishi Aircraft Company |
| Maiden flight | 6 February 1933 |
| Introduced | 1935 |
| Retired | 1943 |
| Primary user | IJN Air Service |
| Number built | 533 |
The Kawanishi E7K was a Japanese 1930s three-seat reconnaissance floatplane. It was allocated the allied codename Alf.
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[edit] Design and development
In 1932 the Imperial Japanese Navy requested the Kawanishi Aircraft Company to produce a replacement for the companies Kawanishi E5K. The resulting design, designated the Kawanishi E7K1, was an equal span biplane powered by a 620hp (462kW) Hiro Type 91 engine. The first aircraft flew on the 6 February 1933 and was handed over the navy for trials three-months later. It was flown in competition with the Aichi AB-6 which was designed to meet the same requirement. The E7K1 was ordered into production as the Navy Type 94 Reconnaissance Seaplane and entered service in early 1935. It became a popular aircraft but was hindered by the unreliability of the Hiro engine. Later production E7K1s were fitted with a more powerful version of the Hiro 91, but this did not improve the reliability. In 1938 Kawanishi developed an improved E7K2 with a Mitsubishi Zuisea 11 radial engine, it first flew in August 1938 and was ordered by the Navy as the Navy Type 94 Reconnaissance Seaplane Model 2. The E7K1 was renamed the Navy Type 94 Reconnaissance Seaplane Model 1.
[edit] Operational history
The type was used extensively by the Japanese Navy from 1938 until the beginning of the Pacific War, when E7K1 were relegated to second-line duties. The E7K2 continued in front-line service until 1943 and both versions were used in Kamikaze operations in the closing stages of the war.
[edit] Variants
- E7K1
- Production version with a Hiro Type 91 engine, 183 built (including 57 built by Nippon Hikoki K.K.)
- E7K2
- Re-engined version with a Mitsubishi Zuisei 11 radial engine, about 350 built (including 60 built by Nippon Hikoki K.K.)
[edit] Operators
[edit] Specifications (E7K2)
General characteristics
- Crew: 3
- Length: 35 ft 5½ in (10.50 m)
- Rotor diameter: 45 ft 11¼ in (14.00 m)
- Height: 15ft 10½ in (4.85 m)
- Disc area: 469.31 ft² (43.60 m²)
- Empty weight: 2100 kg (4,630 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 3300 kg (7,275 lb)
- Powerplant: 1× Mitsubishi Zuisei 11 radial piston, 870 hp (649 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 171 mph (275 km/h)
- Service ceiling 23,165 ft (7060 m)
Armament
- One fixed and two trainable 7.7mm (0.303in) Type 92 machine guns, 265lb (120kg) of bombs.
[edit] References
- Unknown Author. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing, 1982-1985.
- Francillon, Réne J. Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War. London: Putnam & Company Ltd., 1970 (2nd edition 1979). ISBN 0-370-30251-6.
- Green, William. War Planes of the Second World War: Floatplanes, Volume Six. London: Macdonald, 1962.
[edit] External links
[edit] See also
Related lists
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