Though looking very much the part of a German-produced Dornier series flying boat, the Kawanishi brand H6K series (codenamed "Mavis" by the Allies) had more in common with Western flying boat designs if anything. Interestingly enough, when one considers the Empire of Japan as the island nation that it is, it becomes astounding to think that the H6K was really the only viable reconnaissance flying boat in service with any long-range capabilities with the Empire at the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor. In practice, the H6K was a serviceable breed of flying boat with impressive endurance and adequate offensive capabilities but the type shown similar drawbacks of other aircraft models of Japanese design - namely poor armoring and no self-sealing fuel tanks.
Design-wise, the aircraft was of a sleek design. All four engines (of types that varied throughout the course of development and the war itself) were mounted high atop the wing assembly which sat on the fuselage via struts. Pontoons adorned either wing for water-based operations and the boat-like hull could clearly be distinguished. The fuselage was long and slender ending in a twin vertical tail design. Accommodations amounted to 9 personnel and positions included defensive armament consisting of 4 x 7.7mm machines found in the open bow, dorsal and two beam blister positions. A 20mm cannon turret was seated at the extreme rear of the aircraft. Offensive armament could amount to over 4,400 pounds of ordnance or 2 x 1,764 pound torpedoes for anti-shipping duty.
The H6K1 was the initial service model to enter production but this service was limited in 1938. The first major production model series became the H6K2 and that was followed by the solid addition of the H6K4 which sported 4 x Mitsubishi Kinsei 43 radial engines (later production models featured the Kinsei 46) and improved defensive armament. Dedicated transport derivatives were designated by an "L" and were spawned from the H6K2 and the H6K4 models. As these models went to war, it was found that they were highly susceptible to enemy fire and as such the H6K5 series was developed.
The H6K5 featured self-sealing fuel tanks and better armor protection for the crew and systems alike. Additionally, the open bow gun position was altogether removed in favor of a covered dorsal machine gun turret above the cockpit flight deck. Despite these improvements, the H6K was never really up to the demanding and changing tasks of the Pacific War and thusly production of this model was limited.
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MARITIME / NAVY
Land-based or shipborne capability for operating over-water in various maritime-related roles while supported by allied naval surface elements.
INTELLIGENCE-SURVEILLANCE-RECONNAISSANCE
Surveil ground targets / target areas to assess environmental threat levels, enemy strength, or enemy movement.
84.1 ft (25.63 meters) Length
131.2 ft (40.00 meters) Width/Span
20.6 ft (6.27 meters) Height
27,293 lb (12,380 kilograms) Empty Weight
50,706 lb (23,000 kilograms) Maximum Take-Off Weight
STANDARD:
1 x 7.7mm machine gun in bow position
1 x 7.7mm machine gun in dorsal position
1 x 7.7mm machine gun in left fuselage position
1 x 7.7mm machine gun in right fuselage position
1 x 20mm cannon in tail position
OPTIONAL:
Up to 4,409 lb (2,000 kg) of bombs OR 2 x 1,764 lb torpedoes.
2 Hardpoints
Navy Type 97 Flying Boat - Initial Production Designation.
H6K1 - Initial Production Evaluation Models; four produced; fitted with 4 x Nakajima Hikari 2 type engines.
H6K1 (Navy Flying Boat Type 97 Model 1) - Follow-up prototype model but fitted with Mitsubishi Kinsei 43 type engines; 3 produced.
H6K2 Model 11 - Initial Production Model; 10 produced.
H6K2-L (Navy Transport Flying Boat Type 97) - Based on the H6K2 model but powered with Mitsubishi Kinsei 43 engines; sans armament; 16 produced.
H6K3 Model 21 - VIP Transport Conversion Model based on the H6K2; only 2 produced.
H6K4 Model 22 - Full-Scale Production Version; fitted with 4 x Mitsubishi Kinsei 43 radial engines of 930 horsepower; 10 produced; increased fuel capacity; revised defensive armament; capability for torpedo and bomb load out as needed.
H6K4-L - Dedicated transport model of the H6K2-L; fitted with Mitsubishi Kinsei 46 series engines; 20 produced; seating for 18 troops.
H6K5 Model 23 - Fitted with Mitsubishi 51 OR 53 series engines of 1,300 horsepower; open dorsal gun position replaced by enclosed turret; 36 produced.
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