Main Menu
Japan's Kawanishi H8K1,2
Allied Name: "Emily"1,2
Type 2 Flying Boat Model 111
Kawanishi H8K, "Emily" flying boat:
Kawanishi H8K, "Emily" flying boat:
Kawanishi H8K, "Emily" flying boat:
Kawanishi H8K, "Emily" flying boat:
Kawanishi H8K, "Emily" flying boat:
Design
In 1938 a requirement was given for a four engined reconnaissance flying boat superior than the United Kingdom's Short Sunderland.1,2
The original design had retractable floats and a dorsal turret.1
A mission for the H8K could last up to 24 hours.2
Crew
The crew was protected by armor.1
Wing
The wings were made from a metal frame and covering.1 There was a slight dihedral for better stability on long flights.1
Fuel Tanks
The fuel tanks were located in the hull and were self sealing with carbon dioxide fire supression.1,2
Prototype
In January 1941 the prototype first flew.1
On December 31, 1940 the prototype first flew.2
The prototype had problems with handling on the water.2 To correct these issues a second step in the hull was added and changes to the flaps were made.2
Production
The first production H8K1 flew in August 1941.2
- H8K1: 172
- H8K2: 1202
- H8K2-L: 362
- H8K3: 22
- Total: 1671, 1752
Variants
- H8K ??: VIP transport version.1 Could carry 29 passengers.1
- H8K2-L Seika (Clear Sky): Transport version that could carry 64 passengers.1,2 Had Mitsubishi MK4Q engines and not as many weapons.1 The engines drove Hamilton propellars.1
- H8K1: First production version.2
- H8K2: Used more powerful engines.2 The armament was increased.2 Starting in 1943 a few had ASV (air surface vessel) radar installed.2
- H8K3: Had additional armor protection.2 The wing tip floats were retractable.2
- H8K4: Was the H8K3 modified by fitting Kasei 25b engines.2
Usage
The H8K entered service in early 1942.2
Allied fighter pilots proceeded with caution when attacking a H8K due to it's heavy armament.2
Pearl Harbor Bombed
The first mission the Kawanishi H8K was used on was a bombing mission that started at Wake Island and bombed Pearl Harbor in 1942 (March 4-5, 19422).1 The H8Ks had to refuel by rendezvousing with a submarine.2
Anit-Submarine
North of the Philippines, in 1945 three American submarines were sunk by radar equipped Kawanishi H8Ks.1
| Kawanishi H8K2 | Kawanishi H8K12 | Kawanishi H8K21,2 | Kawanishi H8K2-L2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Reconnaissance flying boat2 | Flying boat1 Reconnaissance1 |
||
| Crew | 102 | 101 | ||
| Engine (Type) | 4: Mitsubishi MK4B Kasei 122 | 4: Mitsubishi Kasei 22 piston1 4: Mitsubishi MK4Q Kasei 222 |
||
| Cylinders | Radial 142 | Radial 141 | ||
| Cooling | ||||
| Net HP | 1,850 each1 | |||
| Propeller blades | 4 each2 | 4 each1,2 | ||
| Dimensions | ||||
| Span | 124' 8"1,2 38 m1,2 |
|||
| Length | 92' 3"1, 92' 4"2 28.13 m1, 28.14 m2 |
|||
| Height | 30'1,2 9.14 m2, 9.15 m1 |
|||
| Wing area | 1,141 ft2 1 106 m2 1 |
|||
| Weight | ||||
| Empty | 34,000 lb2 15,422 kg2 |
40,520 lb1, 40,521 lb2 18,360 kg1,2 |
||
| Loaded | 68,343 lb2 31,000 kg2 |
71,650 lb1,2 32,500 kg1,2 |
||
| Performance | ||||
| Speed | 290 mph1 467 kph1 |
|||
| Speed @ 16,400' / 5,000 m |
290 mph2 467 kph2 |
|||
| Cruising speed | 185 mph2 298 kph2 |
|||
| Climb | 1,575'/minute2 480 m/minute2 |
|||
| Climb to 13,120' / 4,000 m |
8 minutes2 | |||
| Service ceiling | 28,740'1,2 8,760 m1,2 |
|||
| Range | 3,000 miles2 4,828 km2 |
|||
| Maximum range | 4,460 miles2, 4,461 miles1 7,777 km2, 7,180 km1 |
|||
| Armament | 1: 20 mm2 1: 12.7 mm MG2 |
|||
| Bow turret | 1: 20 mm2 | 1: 20 mm1 | ||
| Dorsal turret | 1: 20 mm2 | 1: 20 mm1 | ||
| Tail turret | 1: 20 mm2 | 1: 20 mm1 | ||
| Beams | 2: 20 mm2 | 2: 20 mm1 | ||
| Cockpit | 1: 7.7 mm MG2 | |||
| Beam hatches | 2: 7.7 mm MG2 | 4: 7.7 mm MG1 | ||
| Bombs | 4,408 lb2 2,000 kg2 |
4,400 lb1 2,000 kg1 |
||
| OR | ||||
| Torpedoes | 2: 1,764 lb2 2: 800 kg2 |
2: 1,760 lb1 2: 800 kg1 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of World War II, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
