H9A

The Aichi H9A was a Japanese naval reconnaissance floatplane developed in the early 1940s to replace the aging E13A series. Designed by Aichi Kokuki, the H9A first flew in August 1943 and entered limited service the following year, primarily aboard carrier‑based catapults and battleship seaplane tenders. Its backbone was a 1,280 hp Nakajima Hikari 12‑cylinder radial engine, driving a two‑bladed propeller that gave the aircraft a maximum speed of roughly 340 km/h (210 mph) and a service ceiling of 8,000 m. The low‑wing monoplane featured twin steel floats with streamlined struts, a spacious forward crew compartment for a pilot and observer, and a rear‑mounted flexible machine gun for defensive fire. A modest bomb load of up to 200 kg could be fitted for anti‑submarine or light attack missions, while its fuel capacity provided a 1,200‑km (750‑mi) radius, making it well suited to extended maritime patrols.

Although only a few dozen H9As were produced before Japan’s surrender, the type demonstrated the effectiveness of compact, catapult‑launchable seaplanes in fleet reconnaissance. Its streamlined float design and reliable radial powerplant influenced post‑war Japanese and Allied seaplane concepts, marking the H9A as a notable, though short‑lived, step in naval aviation evolution.

Aichi

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