- Yes
- No
Aichi E13A1 Model 11 Otsu ( 零式水上偵察機 一一乙型)
The Aichi E13A1 Otsu (E13A1b) is a Japanese reconnaissance seaplane created in 1944. This aircraft had the H6 radar, which allowed it to detect a group of enemy ships or individual ships from a relatively safe distance. The exact number of Aichi E13A1 Otsu aircraft built is unknown.
History
In 1944, shortly after the introduction of the improved E13A1 Model 11 Ko (E13A1a) into service, it was found that this improvement was insufficient. The upgrade of the E13A1 to the version consisted in installing a more modern radio and modifying the float mount. The Japanese naval command rightly concluded that the E13A aircraft may no longer have a chance to visually detect American ships in 1944 due to the air cover of American fighters. It was decided to install the H6 universal radar on the E13A1 aircraft, which allowed to detect ships and planes with great prejudice. Such a modification allowed for long-range detection of groups of American ships, surfaced submarines or large air groups. The radar antennas were mounted on the right wing from the leading edge of the wing and on the sides of the fuselage. The new version of the aircraft was designated E13A1 Model 11 Otsu (E13A1b) and was quickly put into production, being produced in parallel with the E13A1a. The E13A1 Otsu aircraft were delivered to various reconnaissance units in Japan, but also on various Pacific islands. These aircraft played reconnaissance and anti-submarine roles. As long as they did not encounter American planes in the air, they showed high efficiency in fulfilling their roles. By the end of the war, about 200 E13A aircraft of all versions of the 1423 produced survived the war.
Construction description
The Aichi E13A1 Otsu is similar to the E13A1 that is already in the game, but there are a few differences between them, which I will describe here.
- The aircraft is equipped with an H6 radar with various possible antenna appearances
- Most of the E13A1b used separate engine exhaust pipes, although some still had common ones.
- Float supports have been modified by adding additional reinforcement and removing some of the tension cables
- Newer radio installed
- Some E13A1b aircraft received better defensive armament, either the Type 2 13.2mm machine gun or the Type 99 model 1 cannon
General characteristics
- Crew: 3
- Length: 11,49 m
- Wingspan: 14,50 m
- Height: 4,70 m
- Wing area: 36,20m2
- Empty weight: 2524kg
- Gross weight: 3650 kg
- Maximum Take-off Weight: ?
- Powerplant: 1 x Mitsubishi MK8 Kinsei 43 air-cooled 14-cylinder piston engine with 790 kW (1,060 hp) take-off power
- Propellers: Adjustable three-bladed metal propeller with a diameter of 3,100 mm.
Performance
- Maximum speed: 368 km/h
- Cruising speed: 222 km/h
- Range: 2080 km
- Maximum Range: 3326 km
- Service ceiling: 8700 m
- Climb Rate: ?
- Rate of climb: 6,1 min to 3000 m
Armament
- Guns:
- 1 x Type 97 7.7mm movable machine gun in the rear gunner’s position ,or
- 1 x Type 2 13,2mm movable machine gun in the rear gunner’s position ,or
- 1 x Type 99 model 1 20 mm movable cannon in the rear gunner’s position
- Bombs
- 1 x 250 kg bombs
- 4 x 60 kg bombs
- 4 x 30 kg bombs
Radar equipment
- 1 x H6 Radar
Special thanks
@Rowiek
Summary
The Aichi E13A1 Otsu is an interesting aircraft for Japan in War Thunder. This aircraft would be an interesting low-level attack aircraft or an improved version of the reconnaissance aircraft on ships. This aircraft would also make an interesting premium or event 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
零式水上偵察機 - Wikipedia
Aichi E13A - Wikipedia
Aiči E13A1b 11B [Jake] : Aiči
零式水上偵察機/愛知Aichi E13A | 大日本帝国軍 主要兵器
Imperial Japanese Aviation Resource Center - A Warbirds Resource Group Site
Aichi E13A Reisu
Aichi E13A ‘Jake’
Уголок неба ¦ Aichi E13A
Aichi E13A Jake
Aichi E13A [Hidroavión de Reconocimiento] - La Segunda Guerra Mundial
Aichi E13A Reisu “Jake” (1941)
IJN Specification 12-Shi (E12/E13, Reconnaissance Seaplane, 1937) | Secret Projects Forum
Book sources
- Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War page 277-280
- Japońskie Samoloty Marynarki 1912-45 (Japanese naval aircraft 1912-45) page 173-176
Japońskie Samoloty Marynarki 1912-45 | PDF - Imperial Japanese Navy Reconnaissance Seaplane
047 Imperial Japanese Navy Reconnaissance Seaplane | PDF
Thank you for reading the suggestion, see you in the next one. Good luck pilots
