| AB-6 | |
|---|---|
| Role | Reconnaissance floatplane |
| National origin | Japan |
| Manufacturer | Aichi |
| Designer | Tetsuo Miki |
| First flight | 1933 |
| Number built | 1 |
| Developed from | Heinkel He 62 |
The Aichi AB-6, or Aichi Experimental 7-Shi Reconnaissance Seaplane, was a prototype Japanese reconnaissance floatplane. It was a single-engined, three-seat biplane intended for the Imperial Japanese Navy, but only one was built, the rival aircraft from Kawanishi, the E7K being preferred.
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In 1932, the Imperial Japanese Navy raised a specification for a long-range floatplane reconnaissance aircraft to replace its Yokosuka E1Y and E5Y operating from its seaplane tenders and battleships, requesting prototypes from Aichi and Kawanishi. Aichi's entry, the Aichi AB-6 or Aichi Experimental 7-Shi Reconnaissance Seaplane,[a] designed by Tetsuo Miki, was based on the Heinkel He 62, one example of which had been imported by Aichi the previous year for evaluation against a similar requirement. The AB-6 was a biplane with folding wings for storage aboard ship, of all-metal construction with fabric covering, and powered by a single Hiro Type 91 W12 engine. Its crew of three, pilot, observer and radio operator/gunner were accommodated in an enclosed cockpit.[1]
The prototype was completed in February 1933 and made its maiden flight from Nagoya harbour. While it had good handling in the air, its speed and its take-off and landing performance was disappointing, and the aircraft was modified to try to improve matters, being fitted with revised wings, of different aerofoil section and with full-span leading edge slats, while the original Hamilton-Standard two-bladed metal variable pitch propeller was first replaced by a two-bladed wooden propeller and then a four-bladed wooden unit. Despite these changes, Kawanishi's design remained superior, and in 1934 was ordered into production as the Navy Type 94 Reconnaissance Seaplane, or Kawanishi E7K.[2][3]
Data from Japanese Aircraft 1910–1941[4]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
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