https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawanishi_H8K
The Kawanishi H8K (?????, Nishiki Hikotei, Type 2 Flying Boat. Commonly called
as ??????? Nishiki Ogata Hikotei, ???? Nishiki Daitei or Nishiki Taitei, Type 2
Large-sized Flying Boat) is an Imperial Japanese Navy flying boat used by the
Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service during World War II for maritime patrol
duties. The Allied reporting name for the type was "Emily".
The Kawanishi H8K was a large, four-engine aircraft designed for long range and
extended endurance on patrols or bombing missions typically flown alone over the
ocean. The prototype first flew in January 1941 and H8K1s made their first
combat sortie in March 1942. The robust H8K2 "Emily" flying boat was also fitted
with powerful defensive armament, which Allied pilots had substantial respect
for wherever this aircraft was encountered in the Pacific theater. The H8K was
water-based combat aircraft of the second World War."
At the same time the type's predecessor, the Kawanishi H6K, was entering service
in 1938 the Navy ordered the development of a larger, longer-ranged patrol
aircraft under the designation Navy Experimental 13-Shi Large-size Flying Boat.
The result was a large, shoulder-winged design that is widely regarded as the
best flying boat of the war. Despite this, initial development was troublesome,
with the prototype displaying terrible handling on the water. Deepening of the
hull, redesigning of the planing bottom and the addition of spray strips under
1941.
The IJNAS accepted the first production version as the H8K1, Navy Type 2 Flying
Boat, Model 11, of which 14 would be built.
The improved H8K2 variant soon appeared, and its extremely heavy defensive
armament earned it deep respect among Allied aircrews. The H8K2 was an upgrade
over the H8K1 with more powerful engines, slightly revised armament, and an
increase in fuel capacity. This was to be the definitive variant, with 112
produced.
36 examples of a dedicated transport version, the H8K2-L, were also built,
capable of carrying 62 troops. This aircraft was also known as Seiku (??, "Clear
Sky"). The side defensive blisters, ventral defensive hatch, and dorsal turret
were discarded. To increase the available space within the aircraft its hull
tanks were removed, thus reducing its range.
Role
Maritime patrol flying boat
Manufacturer
Kawanishi
Designer
Shizuo Kikuhara
First flight
January 1941
Introduction
February 1942
Retired
1945
Primary user
IJN Air Service
Produced
1941-1945
Number built
167
131 of Type 2 Flying Boat
36 of Seiku (H8K2-L transport)
The H8K entered production in 1941 and first saw operational use on the night of
4 March 1942 in a second raid on Pearl Harbor. Since the target lay out of range
for the flying boats, this audacious plan involved a refuelling by submarine at
French Frigate Shoals, some 900 km (560 mi) north-west of Hawaii, en route. Two
planes from the Yokohama Kokutai (Naval Air Corps) attempted to bomb Pearl
Harbor but, due to poor visibility, did not accomplish any significant damage.
Six days after the second Pearl Harbor raid one of the Emilys was sent on a
daylight photo-reconnaissance mission of Midway Atoll. It was intercepted by
radar directed Brewster F2A Buffalo fighters of Marine Fighting Squadron 221
(VMF-221) and shot down. All aboard were killed including Lt. Hashizume Hisao,
the lead pilot of the second Pearl Harbor raid.
H8K2s were used on a wide range of patrol, reconnaissance, bombing, and
transport missions throughout the Pacific War. The H8K2 was given the Allied
code name "Emily".
Specifications (Kawanishi H8K2)
General characteristics
Crew: 10
Length: 28.15 m (92 ft 4 in)
Wingspan: 38.00 m (124 ft 8 in)
Height: 9.15 m (30 ft)
Empty weight: 18,380 kg (40,436 lb)
Loaded weight: 24,500 kg (53,900 lb)
Max. takeoff weight: 32,500 kg (71,500 lb)
Performance
Maximum speed: 465 km/h (290 mph)
Range: 7,150 km (4,440 mi)
Service ceiling: 8,760 m (28,740 ft)
Rate of climb: 8.1 m/s (1,600 ft/min)
Power/mass: 0.22 kW/kg (0.14 hp/lb
Armament
Guns:
each in two waist blisters)
charges
Avionics
Mark VI Model 1 ASV radar
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