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Kawanishi E7K1 (九四式水上偵察機)
The Kawanishi E7K1 is a Japanese reconnaissance seaplane created in 1933. Between 1934 and 1938, about 230 Kawanishi E7K1 aircraft were built, which served until the end of the Pacific War.
History
In 1932, the Japanese Navy launched the 7-Shi competition, for a new reconnaissance seaplane. Aichi and Kawanishi factories were invited to the competition. The requirements for the new aircraft were as follows:
- It must be capable of catapult launch for use as a base and onboard aircraft.
- Long range.
- Stability is good.
- The maximum speed is over 241 km/h.
- The engine was to be the Hiro Type 91 Model 1
The Kawanishi Works began work on the Type J aircraft (the future E7K1). The aircraft was modern during design with, for example, new duralumin planes, which were more streamlined than the floats previously used. The design work went very quickly, as well as the work on the construction of the first prototype. On February 6, 1933, the Type J seaplane (future E7K1) made its maiden flight, then the plane was tested by the Kawanishi Works until May to find all possible problems. In May 1933, the aircraft was sent for tests to the Japanese Navy Command, where during tests the aircraft did not reach the required maximum speed. However, the Kawanishi E7K1 prototype had better performance and stability on the water than the competing Aichi E7A1. During the testing, Kawanishi produced a second modified prototype of the E7K1 aircraft, which eventually convinced the Japanese Navy commander to choose the Kawanishi aircraft. The aircraft was accepted into service in May 1934 as a Type 94 reconnaissance seaplane and its serial production began. The aircraft goes to the ships of the Japanese Navy as an observation aircraft, it also goes to training units, to anti-submarine units. The aircraft is very popular with crews because of its easy piloting and resistance to damage. In 1937, when the Second Sino-Japanese War broke out, these planes actively took part in combat and served as observation planes, bombers, and sometimes even fighters (this would encourage the Japanese Navy to build the N1K1 and A6M2-N fighter seaplanes in the future). In August 1938, an improved variant designated E7K2 was created. The Kawanishi E7K1 aircraft was produced from 1934 to 1938, when about 230 aircraft of this type were built. During the Pacific War, the aircraft was given the code designation Alf.
Technical description
The Kawanishi E7K1 is very similar to the Kawanishi E7K2 from the game. However, there is one big difference between them. It is an engine, the Kawanishi E7K1 has an in-line engine Type W Hiro Type 91 model 2 with a take-off power of 750 hp (566 kW) and a Mitsubishi MK2A Zuisei 11 engine with a take-off power of 870 hp (650 kW). The aircraft is also equipped with a wooden four-bladed propeller with a diameter of 3,200mm instead of a two-bladed metal propeller with a diameter of 3,200mm. In addition, the E7K1 aircraft has a different-looking engine cowling.
Technical sketches
General characteristics
- Crew: 3
- Length: 10,41 m
- Wingspan: 14,00 m
- Height: 4,735m
- Wing area: 43,60 m2
- Empty weight: 1970 kg
- Gross weight: 3000 kg
- Maximum Take-off Weight: 3500 kg
- Powerplant: 1 × Type W Hiro Type 91 model 2 engine, a liquid-cooled twelve-cylinder engine with cylinders with a take-off power of 750 hp (566 kW)
- Propellers: wooden four-bladed propeller with a diameter of 3,200 mm
Performance
- Maximum speed: 239 km/h
- Cruise speed: 167 km/h
- Range: 2,200km
- Maximum Range: ?
- Service ceiling: 6,600 m
- Climb Rate: ?
- Time to altitude: 10,75 min to 3000 m
Armament
- Gun:
- 1 x Type 92 fixed machine guns 7.7mm above the engine
- 1 x Mobile Type 92 7.7mm machine gun in the Observer Station
- 1 x Type 92 7.7mm Movable Machine Gun on Belly
- Bombs
- 4 x 30 kg bombs (under the fuselage)
- 2 x 60 kg bombs (under the fuselage)
- 4 x 60 kg bombs (under the fuselage) (?)
Special thanks
Summary
The Kawanishi E7K1 is an interesting seaplane for Japan in War Thunder. This aircraft can be used by all Japanese ships equipped with a carrier-based aircraft as the first aircraft, which can then be exchanged for another aircraft (for example, as ammunition is selected). In addition, you can add this aircraft to the regular air tree as an early Navy bomber or a Premium 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
九四式水上偵察機 - Wikipedia
Kawanishi E7K - Wikipedia
Kawaniši E7K1 [Alf] : Kawaniši / Šin-Meiwa
Kawanishi E7K
Kawanishi E7K ‘Alf’
Kawanishi E7K Type 94 “Alf” - Pacific Eagles
Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Kawanishi E7K - Vintage Aviation News
IJN Specification 7-Shi (E7, Reconnaissance Seaplane, 1932) | Secret Projects Forum
Kawanishi E7K1 references - Aircraft WWII - Britmodeller.com
Kawanishi E7K “Alf” (1933)
Kawanishi E7K1: Seaworthy at first sight. | Aviation Rapture
Уголок неба ¦ Kawanishi E7K
Book sources
- Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War page 297-300
- Japońskie Samoloty Marynarki 1912-45 (Japanese naval aircraft 1912-45) page 153-156
Japońskie Samoloty Marynarki 1912-45 | PDF - Famous Airplanes of The World 47 - Imperial Japanese Navy Reconnaissance Seaplane page 13-14, 30-39
047 Imperial Japanese Navy Reconnaissance Seaplane | PDF
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