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Kawanishi E8K (8-Shi) (八試水上偵察機)
The Kawanishi E8K is a Japanese prototype seaplane created in 1933. The aircraft was Kawanishi’s answer to the 8-Shi Navy competition. Only one E8K was made.
History
In 1933, the Japanese Navy was looking for a successor to the Nakajima E2N and E4N seaplanes. To this end, she organized the 8-Shi competition, in which she included the requirements:
- The plane is to be a two-seater
- The aircraft was to be launched by the ship’s basic catapult
- High maneuverability (comparable to a fighter) was expected
- The aircraft was to have a single main float
- The aircraft was required to be powered by a Nakajima Kotobuki 2 Kai 1 engine
The competition was entered by Aichi (E8A(AB-7),E8A(AM-7)), Kawanishi (E8K) and Nakajima (E8N). The main designer at the Kawanishi works was Engineer Eiji Sekiguchi, and the initial design of the Type P aircraft (the factory designation of the future E8K) was ready in May 1933. The plane was very modern at that time, it was of monoplane construction and had strong small armament. The prototype of the Type P aircraft was completed in December 1933, and the maiden flight took place on January 8, 1934. In February 1934, after the completion of factory tests, the Kawanishi Type P was transferred to the Japanese Navy for testing, where it received the designation Kawasaki E8K. During testing, it was shown that the E8K was less maneuverable and difficult to fly than competing aircraft, in addition, the aircraft was comparable in performance to the Nakajima E4N2, which ultimately led to the rejection of the prototype Kawanishi E8K.
Construction description
The Kawanishi E8K is a two-seater low-wing seaplane with one main float and two auxiliary floats. The plane had a wooden steel frame, covered with canvas. The aircraft’s engine was a nine-cylinder Nakajima Kotobuki 2 Kai 1 radial engine with a take-off power of 580 hp (427 kW), which rotated a metal two-bladed propeller with a diameter of 2,700 mm. The aircraft was armed with two Type 92 machine guns in the nose and one Type 92 mobile machine gun in the rear gunner’s position. Under the wings, the aircraft could carry two bombs weighing 30 kg.
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 9,23 m
- Wingspan: 11,95 m
- Height: 3,87 m
- Wing area: 23,34 m2
- Empty weight: 1,326kg
- Gross weight: 1,900 kg
- Maximum Take-off Weight: ?
- Powerplant: 1 × Nakajima Kotobuki 2 Kai 1, air-cooled nine-cylinder radial engine with a take-off power of 580 hp (427 kW)
- Propellers: Two-bladed metal propeller with a diameter of 2,700 mm
Performance
- Maximum speed: 293km/h
- Cruise speed: 167 km/h
- Range: ?
- Maximum Range: ?
- Service ceiling: 7,300m
- Climb Rate: ?
- Time to altitude: 7,93 min to 3000 m
Armament
- Gun:
- 2 x Type 92 fixed machine guns 7.7mm above the engine
- 1 x Mobile Type 92 7.7mm machine gun in the Observer Station
- Bombs
- 2 x 30 kg bombs (under the wings)
Special thanks
Summary
The Kawanishi E8K is an interesting aircraft for Japan in War Thunder. This aircraft can be very useful in naval battles as a fighter that can additionally occupy naval bases. In the future, this aircraft can also be used as a reconnaissance 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
八試水上偵察機 - Wikipedia
Kawaniši E8K1 8-Ši : Kawaniši / Šin-Meiwa
Kawanishi E8K1 Experimental 8-Shi Reconnaissance Seaplane
Уголок неба ¦ Kawanishi E8K
Ближний корабельный разведчик Kawanishi «Тип P» (E8K) - Альтернативная История
IJN Specification 8-Shi (E8, Ship-borne Reconnaissance Seaplane) | Secret Projects Forum
Book sources
- Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War page 137-138
- Japońskie Samoloty Marynarki 1912-45 (Japanese naval aircraft 1912-45) page 162
Japońskie Samoloty Marynarki 1912-45 | PDF
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