The Aichi M6A-1 Seiran was to be housed and released from Japanese Navy I-400 class submarines. By Staff Writer
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 it's 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 32 inline 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.
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Aircraft Quick Profile
Image courtesy of Dan Alex.
1945
Designation:Aichi M6A Seiran Classification Type:Submarine-Based Attack Floatplane Contractor:Aichi - Japan Country of Origin: Imperial Japan Production Total: 28
Operators: Imperial Japan
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.
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