Aichi M6A Seiran Submarine-Based Attack Floatplane - History, Specs and Pictures

This oft-forgotten Aichi design was classified as an attack floatplane that was designed to be carried aboard the Japanese Navy I-400 class submarines. The aircraft was held in water-tight containers until implemented into flight when the submarine submerged. The design was in full production in 1945, with the aircraft and its submarine counterparts being readied for a brazen attack on the Panama Canal when the twin atomic bombs were dropped on Japan, effectively ending the was in the Pacific and derailing further production of the Seiran.

The Aichi M6A Seiran (translated as "Mountain Haze") was a single engine design, powered by a Atsuta Type 31 V12 piston engine of 1,400 horsepower driving a three-blade propeller assembly. Crew accommodations amounted to one personnel and standard armament is known to consist of a single 500lb bomb, mounted under the fuselage presumably. Design of the aircraft consisted of a low-monoplane type with a single rudder aft. The cockpit was situated at center above the wing roots.

A land-based derivative known as the M6A1K "Seiran Kai" was utilized for pilot training purposes. Landing gear was of the standard two-front with a tail wheel at rear for this land-based variant. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
MilitaryFactory.com does NOT sell equipment/weaponry. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance or general operation. Please consult manufacturers for such information. Our disclaimer. Email corrections / Comments to MilitaryFactory at Gmail dot com.

View All Images (1)

Specifications for the
Aichi M6A Seiran
Submarine-Based Attack Floatplane

Country of Origin: Imperial Japan
Manufacturer: Aichi - Japan
Initial Year of Service: 1945
Production: 28

Focus Model: Aichi M6A1 Seiran
Crew: 2

Length: 34.88ft (10.63m)
Width: 40.22ft (12.26m)
Height: 15.03ft (4.58m)
Weight (Empty): 7,412lbs (3,362kg)
Weight (MTOW): 9,370lbs (4,250kg)

Powerplant: 1 x Aichi Atsuta Type 31 V12 engine generating 1,400hp.

Maximum Speed: 295mph (474kmh; 256kts)
Maximum Range: 1,243miles (2,000km)
Service Ceiling: 32,480ft (9,900m; 6.2miles)
Rate-of-Climb: 0 feet per minute (0m/min)

Hardpoints: 2
Armament Suite:
STANDARD:
1 x 13mm heavy machine gun

OPTIONAL:
2 x 551lb bombs. 1 x 1,874lb bomb OR 1 x Torpedo

Variants:
M6A1 Prototype - Prototype

M6A1 "Seiran" - Production Model Designation; 18 production aircraft.

M6A1-K "Seiran Kai" - Trainer derivative of the base Seiran; never reached production status.

M6A2 - Prototype Model; fitted with Mitsubishi Kinsei MK8P 62 at 1,560 horsepower; single production model.

Operators: Imperial Japan

ALL AIRCRAFT CATEGORIES

BY DECADE:

• 1900 to 1909
• 1910 to 1919
• 1920 to 1929
• 1930 to 1939
• 1940 to 1949
• 1950 to 1959
• 1960 to 1969
• 1970 to 1979
• 1980 to 1989
• 1990 to 1999
• 2000 to 2009
• 2010 to 2019
• 2020 to 2029
• VIEW ALL
• Compare Aircraft