Nakajima E8N

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E8N "Dave"
Type Ship-borne reconnaissance seaplane
Manufacturer Nakajima Aircraft Company
Maiden flight March 1934
Introduced 1935
Primary user IJN Air Service
Produced October 1935-1940
Number built 755

The Nakajima E8N was a Japanese ship-borne, catapult, reconnaissance seaplane of the Sino-Japanese War. It was a single-engine, two-seat biplane with a central main-float and underwing outriggers. During the Pacific War, it was known to the Allies by the code-name "Dave".

Contents

[edit] Design and development

The E8N was developed as a replacement for the same company's E4N and was essentially an evolutionary development of the earlier type, with revised wings of lesser area and taller tail surfaces. Seven prototypes were constructed, under the company designation MS, first flying in March 1934.[1] These were duly engaged in comparative trials against competitors from Aichi and Kawanishi.

[edit] Operational history

The MS was ordered into production, designated Navy Type 95 Reconnaissance Seaplane Model 1 in October 1935.[2] A total of 755 E8Ns were built by Nakajima and Kawanishi, production continuing until 1940.[3] It was subsequently shipped aboard all the capital ships then in service, sixteen cruisers and five aircraft tenders.

It was used successfully in the Sino-Japanese War not only for reconnaissance but also for dive-bombing and artillery spotting.

Some aircraft remained in service with the fleet at the outbreak of the Pacific War but they were soon replaced by more modern aircraft such as the Aichi E13A and the Mitsubishi F1M, being reassigned to second-line duties.

[edit] Variants

E8N1
Initial production type, powered by 580 hp (433 kW) Nakajima Kotobuki 2 Kai 1 radial engine.
E8N2
Improved production type, with more powerful (630 hp (470 kW)) Nakajima Kotobuki Kai 2 engine.

[edit] Operators

Flag of Japan Japan

[edit] Specifications (E8N2)

Data from Virtual Aircraft Museum [4] www.combinedfleet.com [5]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 8.81 m (28 ft 11 in)
  • Wingspan: 10.98 m (36 ft 0 in)
  • Height: 3.84 m (12 ft 7 in)
  • Wing area: 26.5 m² (285.14 ft²)
  • Empty weight: 1,320 kg (2,904 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 1,900 kg (4,180 lb)
  • Powerplant:Nakajima Kotobuki 2 KAI 2 9-cylinder radial piston, 470 kW (630 hp)

Performance

Armament

  • 2 × 7.7-mm machine guns
  • 2 × 30 kg (66 lb) bombs

[edit] See also

Comparable aircraft

[edit] References

  1. ^ Francillion 1970, p.408.
  2. ^ Francillion 1970, p.409.
  3. ^ Francillion 1970, p.410.
  4. ^ Virtual Aircraft Museum.
  5. ^ Joao, Matsuura. WWII Imperial Japanese Naval Aviation Page.
  • Francillion, R.J. Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War. London:Putnam, 1970. ISBN 370 00033 1.

[edit] External links