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Aichi AB-2 (愛知 AB-2)
The Aichi AB-2 is a prototype Japanese seaplane. This aircraft was the first independent project of the Aichi company. Two prototypes were created in 1930. One prototype was destroyed in a fire during tests.
History
In 1928, the Japanese Navy announced the 3-Shi competition, which aimed to find a successor for the seaplane Nakajima E2N. The competition was assigned to the Aichi and Nakajima companies. Ultimately, the competition concluded in 1931, and the Aichi E3A (based on the Henkiel HD-56 aircraft) and Nakajima E4N (based on the Vought O2U aircraft) were accepted. However, in 1929, while the competition was still ongoing, a concept for a homemade seaplane for the 3-Shi competition emerged at Aichi. The design of the aircraft was the responsibility of engineer Tetsuo Miki. The aircraft was designed to be fast and was to use the Aichi AC-1 engine developed at Aichi. In 1930, two prototypes were completed and sent to the Japanese Navy Command to participate in tests for the 3-Shi competition, which was already involving the Aichi E3A and Nakajima E4N prototypes. During the tests, the Aichi AB-2 proved to be faster than the Nakajima E2N aircraft, but it was much inferior to the prototype Aichi E3A and Nakajima E4N. Worst of all, the Aichi AC-1 engine had many failures, and one of the failures led to an engine fire and subsequently the aircraft catching fire. The burning of one prototype and its inadequate performance led to the rejection of the Aichi AB-2 aircraft. However, undeterred by this, Aichi modified the design and created the Aichi AB-3 reconnaissance seaplane, which was sold to China and was included in the armament of the light cruiser Ning Hai. Although the Aichi AB-2 seaplane was an unsuccessful design, it was a groundbreaking aircraft. The AB-2 was Japan’s first independently developed aircraft equipped with an engine developed entirely by the Japanese.
The art of Aichi AB-2
Construction description
The Aichi AB-2 is a two-seat seaplane constructed as a biplane. The aircraft has a metal fuselage frame and a wooden wing frame, all covered with canvas. The landing gear consists of two floats. The wings were foldable to allow the aircraft to be stored in ship hangars. The engine of the Aichi AB-2 was the Aichi AC-1, an air-cooled nine-cylinder radial engine with a power of 243 kW (330 HP). The aircraft was armed with a fixed 7.7mm machine gun in the fuselage and a movable 7.7mm machine gun in the observer’s cockpit (the machine guns were either Vickers or Lewis). The Aichi AB-2 can also carry two 30 kg bombs under its wings.
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 8,24 m
- Wingspan: 11,00 m
- Height: 3,446 m
- Wing area: 36,0 m2
- Empty weight: 1,115 kg
- Gross weight: 1,655 kg
- Maximum Take-off Weight: ?
- Powerplant: 1 x Aichi AC-1, an air-cooled nine-cylinder radial engine with a power of 243 kW (330 HP)
- Propellers: Two-blade wooden propeller
Performance
- Maximum speed: 180 km/h
- Cruising speed: 130 km/h
- Range: ?
- Maximum Range: ?
- Service ceiling: 4500 m
- Climb Rate: 7,67 m/s (?)
- Rate of climb: 20,0 min to 3000 m
Armament
- Guns:
- 1 x Fixed 7.7mm machine gun in the fuselage (Vickers or Lewis)
- 1 x Mobile machine gun 7.7mm at the observer’s position (Vickers or Lewis)
- Bombs:
- 2 x 30 kg bombs (under the wings)
Special thanks
Summary
The Aichi AB-2 is an interesting seaplane for Japan in War Thunder. Although it is a very slow aircraft, it can be extremely useful in naval battles. Due to its design, this plane cannot take off from a catapult and must launch from the water, which means that any Japanese ship can receive it as a towed aircraft behind the ship. In this case, the aircraft can be used for quickly capturing zones, conducting reconnaissance, and laying smoke screens. Additionally, its two bombs can destroy coastal ships with a bit of skill. I encourage you to discuss in the comments and to share your own knowledge on this subject.
Finally, I apologize for the linguistic and logical errors because unfortunately English is not my main language and I had to use google translator.
Internet sources
AB-2 (航空機) - Wikipedia
Aichi AB-2 - Wikipedia
Aiči AB-2 : Aiči
Aichi AB-2 Experimental Catapult-Launched Reconnaissance Seaplane
Уголок неба ¦ Aichi AB-3
Book sources
- Mikesh, Robert C.; Abe, Shorzoe (1990).Japanese Aircraft, 1910-1941 page 68-69
- Japońskie Samoloty Marynarki 1912-45 (Japanese naval aircraft 1912-45) page 145
Japońskie Samoloty Marynarki 1912-45 | PDF - 日本航空機辞典 1910年(明治43年)～1945年(昭和20年) 上巻 (Encyclopedia of Japanese Aircraft 1910 (Meiji 43) – 1945 (Showa 20), Volume 1) page 170
- 野沢正『日本航空機総集 愛知・空技廠篇』出版協同社, page 50-52
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