In 1932, the Imperial Japanese Navy raised a specification for a long-range floatplanereconnaissance 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 91W12 engine. Its crew of three, pilot, observer and radio operator/gunner were accommodated in an enclosed cockpit.[1]
Operational historyEdit
The prototype was completed in February 1933 and made its maiden flight from Nagoya harbor. While it had good handling in the air, its speed, take-off, and landing performance was disappointing, and the aircraft was modified to try to improve matters. It was fitted with revised wings, of different aerofoil section and with full-span leading edge slats. 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]
a In the Japanese Navy designation system, specifications were given a Shi number based on the year of the Emperor's reign it was issued. In this case 7-Shi stood for 1932, the 7th year of the Shōwa era.[5]
Francillon, R.J. Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War. London:Putnam, 1970. ISBN0-370-00033-1.
Mikesh, Robert and Shorzoe Abe. Japanese Aircraft 1910–1941. London:Putnam, 1990. ISBN0-85177-840-2.
October 18, 2023
aichi, aichi, experimental, reconnaissance, seaplane, prototype, japanese, reconnaissance, floatplane, single, engined, three, seat, biplane, intended, imperial, japanese, navy, only, built, rival, aircraft, from, kawanishi, being, preferred, 6role, reconnaiss. 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 AB 6Role Reconnaissance floatplaneNational origin JapanManufacturer AichiDesigner Tetsuo MikiFirst flight 1933Number built 1Developed from Heinkel He 62 Contents 1 Design and development 2 Operational history 3 Specifications final configuration 4 See also 5 Notes 6 ReferencesDesign and development EditIn 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 Operational history EditThe prototype was completed in February 1933 and made its maiden flight from Nagoya harbor While it had good handling in the air its speed take off and landing performance was disappointing and the aircraft was modified to try to improve matters It was fitted with revised wings of different aerofoil section and with full span leading edge slats 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 Specifications final configuration EditData from Japanese Aircraft 1910 1941 4 General characteristicsCrew 3 Length 10 44 m 34 ft 3 in Wingspan 12 98 m 42 ft 7 in Height 4 80 m 15 ft 9 in Wing area 40 61 m2 437 1 sq ft Empty weight 1 920 kg 4 233 lb Gross weight 3 020 kg 6 658 lb Max takeoff weight 3 300 kg 7 275 lb Powerplant 1 Hiro Type 91 water cooled W12 engine 470 kW 630 hp Performance Maximum speed 230 km h 140 mph 120 kn at sea level Cruise speed 150 km h 92 mph 80 kn at 1 000 m 3 300 ft Stall speed 81 km h 50 mph 44 kn Endurance 11 9 h Service ceiling 4 850 m 15 910 ft Time to altitude 3 000 m 9 840 ft in 14 min 54 sArmament Guns 1 fixed forward firing 7 7 mm machine gun 1 flexibly mounted in rear cockpit and 1 under fuselageSee also EditAircraft of comparable role configuration and era Kawanishi E7KNotes Edita In the Japanese Navy designation system specifications were given a Shi number based on the year of the Emperor s reign it was issued In this case 7 Shi stood for 1932 the 7th year of the Shōwa era 5 Mikesh and Abe 1990 pp 72 73 Mikesh and Abe 1990 p 73 Francillon 1970 pp 297 298 Mikesh and Abe 1990 pp 73 74 Mikesh and Abe 1990 pp 2 286 References EditFrancillon R J Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War London Putnam 1970 ISBN 0 370 00033 1 Mikesh Robert and Shorzoe Abe Japanese Aircraft 1910 1941 London Putnam 1990 ISBN 0 85177 840 2 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Aichi AB 6 amp oldid 1016656925, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
