Flying boats

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Flying boats

Post by Tanaka »

Kawanishi H6K

Owing alot to the American and French flying boat desings of the 1930's, the 4 engined Kawanishis Type 97 parasol monoplane flying boat which was was first flown in 1936, and was the only long range reconnaissance flying boat Japan had in service when they entered the war in December 1941, much effort had been spent in transport conversions and delieveries to Japan's commercial operators.
The initial military version, the H6K1 had entered service with the Japanese navy in 1938 and was followed by 10 H6k2's
The H6K4 was the first major production version and was powered by 4 Mitsubishi Kinsei 43 radials and was armed with 4 7.7mm machine guns fitted in the bow and midship positions and a 20mm cannon fitted in the tail turret, it was capable of carrying 2 800kg bombs or torpedoes, 66 were in service at the time of Pearl harbour, later versons were powered by Kinsei 46 engies.
Theses flying boats were widely used throughout the Pacific, although the initial heavy defeats the Japanese inflicted on the Allies ment maritime reconnaissance duties were subordinate to air transportation of Japanese troops.
Some aircraft, designated H6K4-L were converted for transport duties to fullfill this role, each able to accomodate 18 fully armed troops; but lacking armour and self sealing fuel tanks they were easy prey for allied fighters and after a number had been shot down a new version entered production, the H6K5 in August 1942. By this time the Allies had given the maritime reconnaissance version the codename Mavis, the transport version being Tillie.
The H6k5 were powered either by Kinsei 51 or 53 radials. Although the open bow gun position was replaced by a single gun turret aft of the cockpit the overall armament was not increased.
Only 36 H6K5s had been completed by 1943 when production gave way to the much superior H8K.
The H6Ks served with the 8th, 14th, 801st, Toko and Yokohama Kokutais and some H6K5s were used as naval staff transports in the Pacific in 1943
18 served with the quasi-commercial courier services in south east Asia.

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Re: Flying boats

Post by Tanaka »

Kawanishi H8k
Only 167 examples of the most outstanding and andvanced flying boat of WW2 were produced, the Kawanishi H8k.
In 1938 a requirement was issued for a 4 engined maritime reconnaissance flying boat superior in every way to the British Short Sunderland. The H8k1 was first flown in January 1941 but it was found to have very bad water handaling qualities. Extenisve modifications were therefore made and after it successfully completes its service trials was ordered into production as the Navy type 2 Flying boat model 11. It was powered by 4 1530hp Misubishi Kasei 11 or 12 radial engines.
The armament of these early aircraft was 2 20mm cannon and 4 7.7mm machine guns.
With its armour protection, self sealing fuel tanks and a top speed of 269mph the H8k was a considerable advance over the H6k.
Its first operational mission was in March 1942 when 2 H8ks set off from Wotje Atoll in the Marshalls to bomb Oahu Island (Pearl harbour), putting down at French frigate shoals to re-fuel from a submarine, arriving over the American base the Japanese pilots found heavy cloud and the raid proved ineffective.
However as a long range maritime reconnaissance aircraft the H8K1 (codenamed Emily) with its range of 4475 miles, heavy armament and good performance proved a highly competent aircraft which was much respected by the Allies.
The improved H8K2, fitted with 1850hp Kasei 22 radial engines and an armament increased to 5 20mm cannon and 4 7.7mm machine guns, of which 112 were produced between 1943 and 1945 was without doubt the toughest opponent faced by the Allies in the Pacific. It was also fitted with ASV radar, responsible for the sinking of atleast 3 US submarines in the area North of the Phillipines during the final 18 months of the war.
In addition to the maritime reconnaissance version, 36 H8K2-L were built in the final 2 years of the war, these were equipped for naval staff and troop transports capable of carrying either 29 staff passengers or 64 fully equipped troops.
Due to the deteriorating war situation Japan began to run down production of flying boats in 1945 in favour of fighters for home defence duties and later versions of the H8K were abandoned.
This excellent aircraft saw extensive service being flwon by the 14th, 801st, 851st, 1001st, 1021st, Takuma, Toko, Yokohama and Yokosuka Chinjufu Kokutais.

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Re: Flying boats

Post by West-Front »

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Re: Flying boats

Post by Franz repper »

The Kawanishi H8k to me it looks like the Sunderland flying boat
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Re: Flying boats

Post by Tanaka »

yeah they are similiar, probaly as the design laid down was for an improved Short Sunderland.

The H6K also isn't a million miles away from the Dornier D024, except it has 4 instead of 3 engines up top.
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Re: Flying boats

Post by missyd »

Tanaka wrote:yeah they are similiar, probaly as the design laid down was for an improved Short Sunderland.
The H6K also isn't a million miles away from the Dornier D024, except it has 4 instead of 3 engines up top.
I thought the same. But I think the Dornier 24 has stubby wings an the mainframe and no outside swimmers like the japanese type. But I think the japanese engineers copied the overall design.
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Re: Flying boats

Post by Tychsen »

Sounds like a remarkable aircraft and as FR says very like a Sunderland , although I suspect the wings will give better lift.
(The Sunderland and Sterling has a very similar wing.)
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