Warplanes of Japan: Aichi

Aichi Warplanes

Aichi D1A, Navy Type 94/96 Carrier Bomber, codenamed Susie.  (IJNAF Photos)

The Aichi D1A or Navy Type 94/96 Carrier Bomber (Allied reporting name "Susie"[3]) was a Japanese carrier-based dive bomber of the 1930s. A single-engine, two-seat biplane based on the Heinkel He 50, the D1A was produced by Aichi for the Imperial Japanese Navy, remaining in service as a trainer at the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The D1A was produced in two variants, the D1A1 (Navy Type 94 Carrier Bomber), and the D1A2 (Navy Type 96 Carrier Bomber, sometimes referred to as the D2A). (Wikipedia)

(IJNAF Photos)

Aichi D3A1 dive-bomber.

(Author Photo).

Aichi D3A2, codenamed "Val" on display in wrecked "as found" condition on display inside the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, Texas.

(Alan Wilson Photo)

Aichi D3A2 Model 22_Val, (3179), Reg. No. N3131G. A currently under restoration at the Planes of Fame Museum in Chino, California.

(IJNAF Photos)

Aichi B7A2 Ryusei, codenamed "Grace".

(USAAF Photos)

Aichi B7A2 Ryusei, codenamed "Grace", (Serial No. 816) captured by the US and test flown in 1946 by the US air intelligence unit ATAIU-SEA.  Shipped to the USA it is shown here in USN markings, No. 52, USAAF FE-1204, currently in storage in the Paul E. Garber facility, Suitland, Maryland.  Aichi B7A2, USAAF FE-1206 was scrapped at Middletown, Pennsylvania.  

Aichi E13A Navy Reconnaissance Seaplane, codenamed "Jake".  In service with the Imperial Japanese Navy 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).  Eight examples were operated by the French Naval Air Force during the First Indochina War from 1945-1947, while others may have been operated by the Royal Thai Navy.  One example was captured by New Zealand forces and  flown by the RNZAF personnel in theatre, but it after one of the aircraft's floats leaked, it sank and was not repaired.  (IJNAAF Photos 1 & 2, IWM Photo 3)

(USN Photos)

Aichi E16A Zuiun (Auspicious Cloud), two-seat Naval reconnaissance floatplane operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy, Allied reporting name "Paul", shown here in USN markings.  There do not appear to be TAIC or FE numbers alloctated for this aircraft.

Aichi M6A1 Seiran (Clear Sky Storm or Mist on a Fair Day) Japan,ca 1944.  (IJNAAF Photo)

Aichi M6A1 Seiran (Clear Sky Storm or Mist on a Fair Day) being examined by USN sailors at Nagoya, Japan, Sep 1945.  (USN Photo)

(Author Photos)

Aichi M6A1 Seiran (Clear Sky Storm or Mist on a Fair Day) on display in the Paul E. Garber facility, Suitland, Maryland before being moved to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.  

Aichi M6A1 Seiran (Clear Sky Storm or Mist on a Fair Day) on display in the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.  (Eric Salard Photo)

The Aichi M6A Seiran (Clear Sky Storm or Mist on a Fair Day) was a submarine-launched attack floatplane.  It was intended to operate from I-400 class submarines whose original mission was to conduct aerial attacks against the United States.  A single M6A1 has been preserved and resides in the Udvar-Hazy Center of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum.  It is located in the Washington, DC suburb of Chantilly, Virginia near Dulles International Airport.  The Seiran was surrendered to an American occupation contingent by Lt Kazuo Akatsuka of the Imperial Japanese Navy, who ferried it from Fukuyama to Yokosuka.  The US Navy donated it to the Smithsonian Institution in November 1962.  Restoration work on the Seiran began in June 1989 and was completed in February 2000.  There does not appear to be an FE or T2 number for this aircraft.

(USN Photos)

Aichi M6A1-K Nanzan.  

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