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Japan's Aichi E16A Zuiun (auspicious cloud, cloud of good omens)
Allied Code Name: Paul
Design
The Aichi E16A floatplane was designed to be a successor to the Aichi E13A.1,2 Development started in 1941.1
The E16A was of an all metal construction except for the wing tips and the tail, which were wood.2
Stop Gap Dive Bomber
The E16A was modified by installing hydraulically operated dive brakes to allow it to dive bomb with one or two 500 lb / 250 kg bombs.1
Prototype
The E16A prototype flew in May 1942.1 In August 1943 the final prototype was built.2
Production
- Prototype: 31
- Aichi E16A1: 2521
- Aichi: 1931
- Nippon-Hikoki: 591
- Aichi E16A2: 11
- Total: 2562
- Manufacturer: Aichi Kokuki K.K.2
Variants
- Aichi E16A1:
- Aichi E16A2: The engine was a Mitsubishi Kinsei 62 (1,560 HP).1,2 Was in prototype stage at end of war.2
Usage
Became Operational
In January 1944 the E16A became operational in the Japanese Navy.1 They were deployed to the Philippine Islands a few months later.1
Specifications
| Aichi E16A1 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Reconnaissance floatplane1 |
| Crew | 21 |
| Engine (Type) | Mitsubishi Kensei 51 or 541 |
| Cylinders | Radial 141 |
| Cooling | |
| Net HP | 1,3001 |
| Propeller blades | 31 |
| Dimensions | |
| Span | 42'1 12.8 m1 |
| Length | 35' 6.5"1 10.83 m1 |
| Height | 15' 8.5"1 4.78 m1 |
| Wing area | |
| Weight | |
| Empty | 6,493 lb1 2,945 kg1 |
| Normal load | 8,380 lb1 3,800 kg1 |
| Maximum load | 10,038 lb1 4,553 kg1 |
| Performance | |
| Speed @ 18,045' / 5,500 m |
274 mph1 440 kph1 |
| Speed - cruising | 207 mph1 333 kph1 |
| Climb to 9,840' / 3,000 m |
4.7 minutes1 |
| Service ceiling | 32,810'1 10,000 m1 |
| Range | 600 miles1 965 kg1 |
| Range maximum | 1,504 miles1 2,420 km1 |
| Armament | |
| Wings | 2: 20 mm1 |
| Rear cockpit | 1: 13 mm MG1 |
| Bombs | 1: 550 lb1 1: 250 kg1 |
| OR | 2: 550 lb1 2: 250 kg1 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
- World War II Airplanes Volume 2, Enzo Angelucci, Paolo Matricardi, 1976
