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Japan's Aichi E16A Zuiun (auspicious cloud)¹
Allied Code Name: Paul¹

Aichi E16A floatplane:

Aichi E16A floatplane:

Design

The Aichi E16A floatplane was designed to be a successor to the Aichi E13A.¹ Development started in 1941.¹

Stop Gap Dive Bomber

The E16A was modified by installing hydraulically operated dive brakes to allow it to dive bomb with one or two 500 lb / 250 kg bombs.¹

Prototype

The E16A prototype flew in May 1942.¹

Production

• Prototype: 3¹
• E16A1: 252¹
  • Aichi: 193¹
  • Nippon-Hikoki: 59¹
• E16A2: 1¹

Variants

• E16A1:
• E16A2: The engine was a Kinsei 62 (1,560 HP).¹

Usage

Became Operational

In January 1944 the E16A became operational in the Japanese Navy.¹ They were deployed to the Philippine Islands a few months later.¹

	Aichi E16A1
Type	Reconnaissance floatplane1
Crew	21
Engine (Type)	Mitsubishi Kensei 51 or 541
Cylinders	Radial 141
Cooling
Net HP	1,3001
Propeller blades	31
Dimensions
Span	42'1 12.8 m1
Length	35' 6.5"1 10.83 m1
Height	15' 8.5"1 4.78 m1
Wing area
Weight
Empty	6,493 lb1 2,945 kg1
Normal load	8,380 lb1 3,800 kg1
Maximum load	10,038 lb1 4,553 kg1
Performance
Speed @ 18,045' / 5,500 m	274 mph1 440 kph1
Speed - cruising	207 mph1 333 kph1
Climb to 9,840' / 3,000 m	4.7 minutes1
Service ceiling	32,810'1 10,000 m1
Range	600 miles1 965 kg1
Range maximum	1,504 miles1 2,420 km1
Armament
Wings	2: 20 mm1
Rear cockpit	1: 13 mm MG1
Bombs	1: 550 lb1 1: 250 kg1
OR	2: 550 lb1 2: 250 kg1

Sources:

1. Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998

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