Aichi E13A Jake
WW II Japanese Reconnaissance Floatplane

Overview ²

• Aichi E13A Jake
• Role: Reconnaissance Floatplane
• Manufacturer: Aichi
• Introduction: 1941
• Primary users: IJN Air Service; Royal Thai Navy
• Number built: 1,418

The Aichi E13A (Allied reporting name: Jake) was a long-range reconnaissance seaplane used by the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) from 1941 to 1945. Numerically the most important floatplane of the IJN, it could carry a crew of three and a bombload of 250 kg (550 lb). The Navy designation was Navy Type Zero Reconnaissance Seaplane.

In China, it operated from seaplane tenders and cruisers. Later, it was used as a scout for the Attack on Pearl Harbor, and was encountered in combat by the United States Navy during the Battles of Coral Sea and Midway. It was in service throughout the conflict, for coastal patrols, strikes against navigation, liaison, officer transports, castaway rescues, and other missions, along with some Kamikaze missions in the last days of war.

Eight examples were operated by the French Navy Air Force during the First Indochina War from 1945-1947, while others were believed to be operated by the Naval Air Arm of the Royal Thai Navy before the war. One example captured by New Zealand forces was flown by RNZAF personnel in theater, but sank and was not repaired after a float leaked.

Versions ²

• E13A1: Prototypes and first production model, later designated Model 11.
• E13A1-K: Trainer version with dual controls
• E13A1a: Redesigned floats, improved radio equipment
• E13A1a-S: Night-flying conversion
• E13A1b: As E13A1a, with Air-Surface radar
• E13A1b-S: Night-flying conversion of above
• E13A1c: Anti-surface vessel version equipped with two downward-firing belly-mounted 20mm Type 99 Mark II cannons in addition to bombs or depth charges

Production ²

• Constructed by Aichi Tokei Denki KK: 133
• Constructed by Watanabe (Kyushu Hikoki KK): 1,237
• Constructed by Dai-Juichi Kaigun Kokusho: 48

Operators ²

• France: French Navy Aeronavale; French Air Force - Captured Japanese aircraft.
• Japan: Imperial Japanese Navy; Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service
• Thailand: Royal Thai Navy

Specifications (E13A1) ²

General Characteristics

• Crew: 3
• Length: 11.31 m (37 ft 1 in)
• Wingspan:
• Height: 4.70 m (15 ft 5 in)
• Wing area: 36.0 m² (387 ft²)
• Empty weight: 2,642 kg (5,825 lb)
• Loaded weight: 3,640 kg (8,025 lb)
• Max. takeoff weight: 4,000 kg (8,800 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Mitsubishi Kinsei 43 14-cylinder air-cooled twin-row radial engine, 810 kW (1,080 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 375 km/h (234 mph)
• Range: 2,100 km (1,300 mi)
• Service ceiling: 8,700 m (28,500 ft)
• Rate of climb: 8.2 m/s (1,610 ft/m)
• Wing loading: 101.1 kg/m² (20.7 lb/ft²)

Armament

• Guns: 1 × flexible, rearward-firing 7.7 mm (.303 in) Type 92 machine gun for observer
• Bombs: 250 kg (551 lb) of bombs

References ²

1. Shupek, John. Aichi E13A Jake, The Skytamer Archive, Copyright © 2013 Skytamer Images. All Rights Reserved
2. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Aichi E13A