Aichi E16A Zuiun (Paul)
Imperial Japan (1944)
Detailing the development and operational history of the Aichi E16A Zuiun (Paul) Reconnaissance Floatplane / Dive Bomber Aircraft.
Entry last updated on 4/11/2018; Authored by Staff Writer; Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com Aichi E16A Zuiun (Paul)
The Japanese Aichi E16A series was a great all-around floatplane - though appearing too late in World War 2 to see much use.
The E16A Zuiun (translated into "Auspicious Cloud" and codenamed "Paul" by the Allies) was a dedicated reconnaissance floatplane and part-time dive-bomber for the Empire of Japan in World War Two. The system was an excellent floatplane type by all accounts, yet appeared at a time when Allied aircraft maintained much of the Pacific skies, relegating the E16A to limited use and even more limited production figures.
The E16A was typical of the Japanese assortment of floatplanes in its arsenal. The system was devised as a direct successor to the E13A "Jake" series of floatplane, both of which were produced by the Aichi aircraft firm. The E16A has crew accommodations for two personnel, a pilot and a rear-cockpit gunner. Pontoons were fitted underside in place of traditional landing gears. Standard armament was 2 x 20mm forward-fixed cannons in the wings and a single 7.7mm machine gun for the rear gunner. An underfuselage position was utilized for strike runs, though the primary use of the aircraft was of carrier-based reconnaissance.
The Aichi E16A was powered by a single Mitsubishi three-blade MK8D Kinsei 54 14-cylinder radial piston engine and could achieve a service ceiling of nearly 33,000 feet while reaching speeds of over 270 miles per hour. Range, like its predecessor, was an impressive 1,491 miles - crucial when operating in the vast open areas of the Pacific Ocean. 256 total examples of the E16A were ever produced and of only made up of the single E16A-1 model designation.
The E16A was typical of the Japanese assortment of floatplanes in its arsenal. The system was devised as a direct successor to the E13A "Jake" series of floatplane, both of which were produced by the Aichi aircraft firm. The E16A has crew accommodations for two personnel, a pilot and a rear-cockpit gunner. Pontoons were fitted underside in place of traditional landing gears. Standard armament was 2 x 20mm forward-fixed cannons in the wings and a single 7.7mm machine gun for the rear gunner. An underfuselage position was utilized for strike runs, though the primary use of the aircraft was of carrier-based reconnaissance.
The Aichi E16A was powered by a single Mitsubishi three-blade MK8D Kinsei 54 14-cylinder radial piston engine and could achieve a service ceiling of nearly 33,000 feet while reaching speeds of over 270 miles per hour. Range, like its predecessor, was an impressive 1,491 miles - crucial when operating in the vast open areas of the Pacific Ocean. 256 total examples of the E16A were ever produced and of only made up of the single E16A-1 model designation.
Any available statistics for the Aichi E16A Zuiun (Paul) Reconnaissance Floatplane / Dive Bomber Aircraft are showcased in the areas immediately below. Categories include basic specifications covering country-of-origin, operational status, manufacture(s) and total quantitative production. Other qualities showcased are related to structural values (namely dimensions), installed power and standard day performance figures, installed or proposed armament and mission equipment (if any), global users (from A-to-Z) and series model variants (if any).
Aichi E16A Zuiun (Paul) Specifications
Imperial Japan
Year: 1944
Status: Retired, Out-of-Service
Type: Reconnaissance Floatplane / Dive Bomber Aircraft
Manufacturer(s): Aichi - Japan
Production: 256
Supported Mission Types
Air-to-Air
Interception
Unmanned
Ground Attack
Close-Air Support
Training
Anti-Submarine
Anti-Ship
Airborne Early Warning
MEDEVAC
Electronic Warfare
Maritime/Navy
Aerial Tanker
Utility/Transport
Passenger Industry
VIP Travel
Business Travel
Search/Rescue
Recon/Scouting
Special Forces
X-Plane/Development
Crew: 2
Length: 35.53 ft (10.83 m)
Width: 42.03 ft (12.81 m)
Height: 15.72 ft (4.79 m)
MTOW: 10,053 lb (4,560 kg)
Installed Power
1 x Mitsubishi Kinsei 54 14-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine developing 1,300 horsepower.
Standard Day Performance
Maximum Speed: 273 mph (439 kph; 237 kts)
Maximum Range: 1,491 mi (2,400 km; 1,296 nm)
Service Ceiling: 32,808 ft (10,000 m; 6.21 mi)
Armament
STANDARD:
2 x 20mm cannon (forward-firing fixed in wings)
1 x 7.7mm machine gun in rear cockpit position
OPTIONAL:
Underfuselage provision for external stores.
Operators List
Imperial Japan
Series Model Variants
• E16A - Base Series Designation
• E16A-1 - Only production version produced.
Supported Weapon Systems
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