| E13A | |
|---|---|
| E13A | |
| Role | Reconnaissance Floatplane |
| Manufacturer | Aichi |
| Introduction | 1941 |
| Primary users | IJN Air Service 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 floatplane of the IJN, it could carry a crew of three and a bombload of 250 kg (550 lb). The Navy designation was "Navy Type Zero Reconnaissance Seaplane" (零式水上偵察機).
In China, it operated from seaplane tenders 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.
In the 1998 film Six Days Seven Nights, the two main characters discover the wreck of a "Jake" in a tree. The intact pontoons are then removed and attached to Quinn's aircraft to convert the DeHavilland Beaver to a floatplane.
Contents |
Prototypes and first production model, later designated Model 11.[2]
Trainer version with dual controls
Redesigned floats, improved radio equipment
Night-flying conversion
As E13A1a, with Air-Surface radar
Night-flying conversion of above
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
Data from Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War[3]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
Aichi E13 floatplane wreck, sunk in Kavieng Harbor, New Ireland, Papua New Guinea
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