Japanese Naval Flag

Japan's Aichi E13A reconnaissance; Navy Type 0 Model 1
Allied Code Name: Jake

Photos

Aichi E13A floatplane:
Japan's Aichi E13A floatplane 		Aichi E13A floatplane:
Japan's Aichi E13A floatplane		 Aichi E13A floatplane:
Japan's Aichi E13A floatplane		  
Aichi E13A1 floatplane:
Japan's Aichi E13A1 floatplane		      
Aichi E13A floatplane:
Japan's Aichi E13A floatplane		      

Design

The Aichi E13A was designed to fill a 1937 specification for a replacement for the Kawanishi E7K2.1

Anti-Submarine

Some E13s were fitted with magnetic anomaly detection (MAD) equipment to help find submarines.1

Prototype

The E13A prototype first flew in late 1938.1

Production

  • Total: 1,4181,2
    • Manufacturer: Aichi Kokuki K.K.2

The Aichi E13A was constructed by the Aichi (only the first 133), Hiro Naval Air Arsenal, and Kyushu Watanabe.1

Variants

  • Aichi E13A:
  • Aichi E13A1:
  • Aichi E13A1-K: Trainer.1
  • Aichi E13A1a (Model 11A): New float braces and radio.1,2 Appeared in November 1944.2
  • Aichi E13A1b (Model 11B): Had air to surface radar.1,2 Appeared in November 1944.2

Usage

In early 1941 the E13A entered service.1,2 The E13A was also used for rescue, transport, and attack.2

The Aichi E13A was used on Cruisers and flying boat tenders.1 The E13A1 was on a battleship, twelve cruisers, and four support ships.2

Pearl Harbor

The E13A was used in the reconnaissance of Pearl Harbor right before the attack.1

Campaigns

The Aichi E13A was used in the Coral Sea, Midway, and Solomon Island campaigns.1

France

The French Navy used one Aichi E13A after World War II in Indo-China.1

Specifications

  Aichi E13A1 Aichi E13A12
Type Reconnaissance floatplane1 Reconnaissance2
Crew 31 32
Engine (Type) Mitsubishi Kinsei 431 Mitsubishi Kinsei 432
Cylinders Radial 141 Radial 142
Cooling   Air2
Net HP 1,0801 1,0802
Propeller blades 31  
Dimensions    
Span 47' 7"1
14.5 m1 		47' 7"2
Length 37'1
11.28 m1 		37'2
Height 15' 5"1
4.7 m1 		24' 3"2
Wing area    
Weight    
Empty 5,825 lb1
2,642 kg1 		 
Normal load 8,048 lb1
3,650 kg1 		8,025 lb2
Maximum load 8,818 lb1
4,000 kg1 		 
Performance    
Speed @ 7,155' /
2,180 m 		234 mph1
376 kph1 		234 mph2
Speed - cruising 138 mph1
222 kph1 		 
Climb to 9,840' /
3,000 m 		6.1 minutes1  
Service ceiling 28,640'1
8,730 m1 		28,640'2
Range 1,298 miles1
2,090 km1 		1,298 miles2
Range with full load    
Armament   1: MG2
Belly 1: 20 mm1  
Rear cockpit 1: 7.92 mm MG1  
Bombs 4: 132 lb1
4: 60 kg1 		551 lb2
OR 1: 550 lb1
1: 250 kg1 		 

Sources:

  1. Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
  2. World War II Airplanes Volume 2, Enzo Angelucci, Paolo Matricardi, 1976