Kawanishi E11K
Click HERE to see a 3-view drawing of the E11K
In 1936 the Imperial Japanese Navy drew up a requirement for an aircraft to replace the Aichi Type 96 Reconnaissance Seaplane as a specialized night reconnaissance aircraft, intended to spot naval gunfire in night actions and to shadow enemy forces at night, allowing submarines to be directed to targets. The requirement was passed to Aichi and Kawanishi, with both companies producing aircraft to meet the navy's needs. While Aichi produced a biplane similar to the aircraft that was to be replaced, Kawanishi designed a gull winged cantilever monoplane. It was powered by a single pusher Hiro Type 91 w engine strut mounted above the wing driving a four-bladed propeller, with its radiator mounted in a fairing above the rear fuselage so that it was located in the propeller's slipstream. It was fitted with retractable wingtip floats, while its wings folded to aid storage aboard the cruisers of the Japanese Navy.The first of two prototypes of Kawanishi's design, the Experimental 11-Shi Special Reconnaissance Seaplane, with the short designation E11K, made its maiden flight on 11 June 1937. It proved to have poor stability and water handling, while the engine installation overheated. It was unsuitable for the night reconnaissance role, with the Aichi design proving generally superior and being ordered into production as the Aichi E11A. The two E11K prototypes were fitted with retractable beaching gear, in order to serve as a utility transport aircraft, and was accepted into service by the Japanese Navy as the Type 96 Transport. These aircraft were used as liaison aircraft for reconnaissance seaplane squadrons and remained in use well into the Second World War. (info from Wikipedia)
Kawanishi E11K
Type: Reconnaissance Seaplane
Service: Japanese Navy Air Force (JNAF)
Crew: three
Armament: n/a
Specifications:
Length: 39' 1" (11.90 m)
Height: 14' 9" (4.504 m)
Wingspan: 53' 1" (16.9 m)
Wing area: 410 sq. ft (38 sq. m)
Empty Weight: 4784 lbs (2170 kg)
Gross Weight: 7275 lbs (3300 kg)
Max Weight: n/a
Propulsion:
No. of Engines: 1
Powerplant: Hiro Type 91-1 water-cooled 12-cylinder engine
Horsepower: 600 hp
Performance:
Range: 820 nautical miles, 944 mi (1519 km)
Cruise Speed: 81 mph (130 km/h)
Max Speed: 144 mph (232 km/h)
Endurance: 8.4 hours
Ceiling: 12,451 ft (3795 m)
Production: 2 E11Ks total
Additional information on this aircraft can be found at Wikipedia
HERE.
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