Warplanes of Japan: Aichi E13A

‍Aichi E13A

(IJNAAF Photo)

Aichi E13A Navy Reconnaissance Seaplane, codenamed "Jake".

The Aichi E13A (Allied reporting name:"Jake") is a long-range reconnaissance seaplane used by the ImperialJapanese 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" (零式水上偵察機).

In China, it operated from seaplane tenders and cruisers. Later, it was used asa scout for the Attack on Pearl Harbor, and was encountered in combat by theUnited States Navy during the Battles of Coral Sea and Midway. It was inservice 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. It also served on the super battleships Yamato and Musashi as catapult launched reconnaissance aircraft.

One Aichi E13A was operated by Germany alongside two Arado Ar 196s out of the base at Penang. The three aircraft formed the East Asia Naval Special Service to assist the German Monsun Gruppe as well as local Japanese naval operations.

Eight examples were operated by the French Navy Air Force during the First Indochina War from 1945 until 1947, while others were believed to be operatedby the Naval Air Arm of the Royal Thai Navy before the war. One example (MSN4326) was surrendered to New Zealand forces after the end of hostilities and was flown briefly by RNZAF personnel, but was not repaired after a float was damaged and subsequently sank at its moorings in Jacquinot Bay.

Variants
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. (Wikipedia)

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(IJNAAF Photo)

Aichi E13A Navy Reconnaissance Seaplane, codenamed "Jake".

(IJNAAF Photo)

Aichi E13A.

(IWM Photo, CI 1741)

A Japanese Aichi E13A reconnaissance seaplane (codenamed 'Jake' by the Allies) is loaded aboard a flatbed truck at Seletar airfield by members of 126 Repair and Salvage Unit (RAF).

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.

(RNZAF Museum Photo)

Aichi E13A floatplane after surrender at Jacquinot Bay, New Britain 1945.