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Aichi E12A ( 十二試二座水上偵察機)
The Aichi E12A is a Japanese experimental reconnaissance seaplane. It was commissioned by the Navy in 1937, but for several reasons the plane was not put into service. At the end of 1938, two prototypes were built. Based on this aircraft, an improved version of the E13A was produced.
History
In 1937, the Japanese Navy was looking for a successor to the highly successful Kawanishi E7K. For this purpose, the technical requirements of the 12-Shi for a two-seat reconnaissance seaplane were sent to the Nakajima, Aichi and Kawanishi plants. Soon after, new requirements for the 12-Shi for a three-seat reconnaissance seaplane were submitted. Kawanishi focused only on the three-seater after the project was completed, while the Nakajima and Aichi plants focused on the two-seat version. Inside the Aichi plant, the project was designated AM-18 and engineer Kishiro Matsuo was responsible for it. The design work lasted from September 1937 to February 1938. The aircraft, compared to previous Aichi aircraft, was very modern. From February to the end of 1938, the production of the first two prototypes continued. In internal tests, Aichi found that the AM-18 (E12A) was much better than the E7K, so he submitted the aircraft for naval testing. However, the naval tests, although confirmed the good performance of the aircraft, also showed that the aircraft was too heavy, had poor stability and poor maneuverability. For this reason, the prototype E12A was rejected. However, thanks to him, the E13A was created soon after, which was accepted into the service in 1940.
Art about the Aichi E12A
Construction description
The Aichi E12A is a two-seat seaplane with an all-metal structure, except for the control surfaces covered in fabric. The wings of the plane were foldable. The plane was equipped with two floats, and the plane was powered by Mitsubishi Zuisei, an air-cooled two-star, fourteen-cylinder engine with a take-off power of 640 kW (870 hp), which drove a two-bladed propeller with a diameter of 3.2 m. Two fixed Type 97 7.7mm machine guns were mounted in the nose of the plane, and a Type 97 7.7mm mobile machine gun was installed in the rear gunner/observer position. Under the fuselage, the aircraft could carry one 250 kg bomb or two 60/30 kg bombs.
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 10,44 m
- Wingspan: 13,00 m
- Height: 3,45 m
- Wing area: 30,8m2
- Empty weight: 2100 kg
- Gross weight: 2850 kg
- Maximum Take-off Weight: ?
- Powerplant: 1 x Mitsubishi Zuisei, an air-cooled two-star, fourteen-cylinder engine with a take-off power of 640 kW (870 hp).
- Propellers: Two-bladed metal propeller with adjustable angle of attack with a diameter of 3,200 mm
Performance
- Maximum speed: 362 km/h
- Cruising speed: 278 km/h
- Range: 1065 km
- Maximum Range: ?
- Service ceiling: 8150 m
- Climb Rate: 10,0 m/s
- Rate of climb: 5,0 min to 3000 m
Armament
- Guns:
- 2 x Type 97 fixed machine gun 7,7mm in the nose
- 1 x Type 97 7.7mm movable machine gun in the rear gunner’s position
- Bombs
- 1 x 250 kg bombs (Under the fuselage)
- 2 x 60 kg bombs (Under the fuselage)
- 2 x 30 kg bombs (Under the fuselage)
Special thanks
@Rowiek
Summary
The Aichi E12A is an interesting aircraft for Japan in War Thunder. This aircraft would be an interesting reconnaissance aircraft for the navy, which could attack smaller ships with bombs and rifles. The E12A would also be suitable for air battles, where it would be a useful strike aircraft. 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
十二試二座水上偵察機 - Wikipedia
Aiči E12A 12-Ši : Aiči
Уголок неба ¦ Aichi E12A
Aichi E12A
Aichi E12A1 - seaplane
IJN Specification 12-Shi (E12/E13, Reconnaissance Seaplane, 1937) | Secret Projects Forum
Book sources
- Mikesh, Robert C.; Abe, Shorzoe (1990).Japanese Aircraft, 1910-1941 page 78-79
- The Xplanes of Imperial Japanese Army and Navy 1924-45 page 186
The Xplanes of Imperial Japanese Army and Navy 1924-45 | PDF - Japońskie Samoloty Marynarki 1912-45 (Japanese naval aircraft 1912-45) page 171-172
Japońskie Samoloty Marynarki 1912-45 | PDF - Imperial Japanese Navy Reconnaissance Seaplane page 20-21
047 Imperial Japanese Navy Reconnaissance Seaplane | PDF
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