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Aichi E3A1 ( 九〇式一号水上偵察機)
The Aichi E3A1 was a Japanese reconnaissance seaplane developed in 1929. This aircraft was officially named the Type 90-1 Reconnaissance Seaplane (九〇式一号水上偵察機) and was based on the Henkiel HD-56. Between 1929 and 1932, 12 Aichi E3A1 aircraft were produced. These planes served on Nagara-class cruisers and experimentally on one Momo-class destroyer.
History
In 1928, the Japanese navy announced the 3-Shi competition, which sought a successor to the Nakajima E2N1 aircraft. The Japanese navy was well aware that technology was rapidly advancing, and the E2N1, which had been put into service in 1927, would soon become obsolete. Therefore, the 3-Shi competition was created to search for a new two-person reconnaissance seaplane. Aichi and Nakajima participated in the competition, but actually Heinkel and Vought were involved as well. This was because the Aichi aircraft was a modified Heinkel HD-56, and the Nakajima aircraft was a modified Vought O2U. The competition requirements were conveyed in 1928 by Aichi to the Heinkel factories, where they agreed to create an aircraft based on those requirements. This aircraft was a two-person biplane with two floats, constructed entirely of wood covered with fabric. The HD-56 was powered by a Wright J-6 Whirlwind engine with a power of 164 kW (220 hp). The Henkiel HD-56 was delivered to Japan in early 1929. The aircraft then underwent testing after minor modifications at the command of the Japanese Navy, where it received the designation E3A. There it was tested alongside the prototype E4N (modified Vought O2U) and from 1930 the Aichi AB-2. The aircraft performed well in tests, although it was outpaced by the E4N, but in December 1931 it was officially accepted into service as the Aichi E3A1 or Type 90-1 Reconnaissance Seaplane (九〇式一号水上偵察機). However, the command of the Japanese Navy requested that serial E3A1 be modified. They required the replacement of the Wright J-6 Whirlwind engine, which was difficult to obtain in Japan, with the domestically produced Gasuden Type 90 Amakaze engine. Additionally, the dimensions of the aircraft were slightly reduced to allow for easier storage on ships. Modifications of this kind were produced from 1931 to 1932, resulting in 9 serial Aichi E3A1. The Aichi E3A1 seaplanes were deployed on the light cruisers Nagara. The E3A1 aircraft participated in the Shanghai Incident, during which they proved too weak for modern combat and this ended the production of 9 serial Aichi E3A1. Later, E3A1s were assigned to one Momo-class destroyer, where it was tested whether destroyers could operate seaplanes launched from a catapult. The Aichi E3A1 aircraft were withdrawn from the Japanese Navy by 1937, and two Aichi E3A1 were sold to Manchuria, where they served in the Maritime Police from 1936-37.
Pictures of Aichi E3A1
Art about Aichi E3A1
Construction description
The Aichi E3A1 is a two-person seaplane in a biplane configuration. The aircraft has a wooden structure partially covered with fabric. The landing gear consists of two floats. The engine of the Aichi E3A1 is an air-cooled, nine-cylinder radial engine, the Gasuden Type 90 Amakaze, with a power output of 250 kW (340 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 E3A1 can also carry two 30 kg bombs under its wings.
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 8,45 m
- Wingspan: 11,10 m
- Height: 3,67 m
- Wing area: 34,50 m2
- Empty weight: 1118 kg
- Gross weight: 1,600 kg
- Maximum Take-off Weight: ?
- Powerplant: 1 x air-cooled, nine-cylinder radial engine, the Gasuden Type 90 Amakaze, with a power output of 250 kW (340 hp))
- Propellers: Two-bladed wooden non-adjustable propeller with a diameter of 2,600 mm
Performance
- Maximum speed: 199km/h
- Cruising speed: 125 km/h
- Range: 754 km
- Maximum Range: ?
- Service ceiling: 4710 m
- Climb Rate: 2,7 m/s
- Rate of climb: 18,3 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 E3A1 is an interesting seaplane for Japan in War Thunder. This aircraft would be a useful addition in naval battles, which could be equipped on Momo-class destroyers (which are not yet in the game) and Nagara-class light cruisers. This aircraft can be used for capturing bases, laying smoke screens, or destroying light coastal fleet ships. 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
九〇式一号水上偵察機 - Wikipedia
Aichi E3A - Wikipedia
Aichi E3A1 Navy Type 90-1 Reconnaissance Seaplane (HD 56)
Japanese Aircraft of WWII: Aichi E3A1 Navy Type 90-1 Reconnaissance Seaplane.
Aichi E3A — avionslegendaires.net
Aiči E3A1 Model 1 : Aiči
Уголок неба ¦ Aichi E3A
Book sources
- Mikesh, Robert C.; Abe, Shorzoe (1990).Japanese Aircraft, 1910-1941 page 67-68
- Japońskie Samoloty Marynarki 1912-45 (Japanese naval aircraft 1912-45) page 143-144
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 168
- 野沢正『日本航空機総集 愛知・空技廠篇』出版協同社, page 48-50
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