Kawanishi E15K

The Kawanishi E15K Shiun (紫雲, "Violet Cloud") was a single-engined Japanese reconnaissance floatplane of World War II. The Allied reporting name for the type was "Norm" after Squadron Leader Norman O. Clappison of the RAAF, a member of the Allied Technical Air Intelligence Unit (ATAIU).

E15K Shiun
Role Reconnaissance floatplane
Manufacturer Kawanishi Aircraft Company
First flight 5 December 1941
Primary user Imperial Japanese Navy
Number built 15

Design and development

In 1939 the Imperial Japanese Navy instructed the Kawanishi Aircraft Company to develop a two-seat high-speed reconnaissance floatplane, which was required to have sufficient performance to escape interception by land based fighters.[1] It was planned to equip a new class of cruisers, intended to act as a flagship for groups of submarines, operating six of the new floatplanes to find targets. The first of the new cruisers, Ōyodo was also ordered in 1939.[2]

Kawanishi designed a single-engined low-wing monoplane, powered by a 1,460 hp (1,090 kW) Mitsubishi MK4D Kasei 14 14-cylinder radial driving two Contra-rotating two-bladed propellers, the first installation of contra-rotating propellers produced in Japan,[3] while a laminar flow airfoil section was chosen to reduce drag. It had a single main float under the fuselage and two stabilising floats under the wing. The stabilising floats were designed to retract into the wing, while the central float was designed to be jettisoned in case of emergency, giving a sufficient increase in speed (estimated as approximately 50 knots (90 km/h)[2]) to escape enemy fighters.[4]

The first prototype of Kawanishi's design, designated E15K1 in the Navy's short designation system made its maiden flight on 5 December 1941.[3] Five more prototypes followed during 1941–42. Problems were encountered with the retractable stabilising floats, resulting in several accidents when the floats could not be lowered for landing, and the system was eventually abandoned, with the stabilising floats being fixed, and a more powerful Mitsubishi MK4S Kasei 24 engine fitted to compensate for the increased drag.[5]

Operational history

Despite these problems, the E15K1 was ordered into limited production as the Navy Type 2 High-speed Reconnaissance Seaplane Shiun Model 11.[6] Six were sent to Palau in the South Pacific, but these were quickly shot down by Allied fighters, as the jettisonable float failed to separate on demand (although subjected to wind tunnel testing, the float separation system had never been tested on the actual aircraft). This resulted in the cancellation of production in February 1944, with only 15 Shiuns completed, including the six prototypes.[5] [7]

According to the 61st Air Flotilla, 12th Reconnaissance Squadron wartime report No. 4. (Ref. C13120221100).

  • April 30, 1944, five Shiun received by 61st Air Flotilla, 12th Recon Sqn (Shiun Sqn).
  • May 15, 1944, three aircraft completed preparation.
  • June 12, 1944, two aircraft completed preparation.

According to 61st Air Flotilla, 12th Recon Sqn wartime reports. (Refs. C13120220900, C13120230300 and C13120230500.)

  • 1500 (JST) June 1, 1944, one Shiun arrived at Palau.
  • 1230 (JST) June 3, 1944, one Shiun arrived at Palau.
  • June 3, 1944, one Shiun flew an anti-submarine flight. No enemy force found.
  • June 15, 1944, one Shiun flew a reconnaissance flight. No enemy force found.
  • June 15, 1944, two Shiun were destroyed by US Navy task force at the Bonin Islands.
  • June 17, 1944, one Shiun flew a reconnaissance flight. No enemy force found.
  • June 23, 1944, one Shiun flew an anti-submarine flight. No enemy force found.
  • June 25, 1944, one Shiun flew a reconnaissance flight. No enemy force found.
  • June 26, 1944, two Shiun flew reconnaissance flights. No enemy force found.
  • June 28, 1944, one Shiun flew a reconnaissance flight. No enemy force found.
  • June 30, 1944, one Shiun flew a reconnaissance flight. No enemy force found.
  • July 9, 1944, one Shiun flew a reconnaissance flight. No enemy force found.
  • July 10, 1944, one Shiun flew a reconnaissance flight. No enemy force found.
  • July 11, 1944, one Shiun flew a reconnaissance flight. No enemy force found.
  • July 12, 1944, one Shiun flew a reconnaissance flight. No enemy force found.
  • July 14, 1944, one Shiun flew a reconnaissance flight. No enemy force found.
  • July 15, 1944, one Shiun flew a reconnaissance flight. No enemy force found.
  • July 16, 1944, one Shiun flew a reconnaissance flight. Another Shiun flew an anti-submarine flight. No enemy force found.
  • July 19, 1944, one Shiun flew a reconnaissance flight. No enemy force found.
  • July 21, 1944, two Shiun flew anti-submarine flights. No enemy force found.
  • July 25, 1944, two Shiun flew anti-submarine flights. Met enemy fighter (F6F). One Shiun was destroyed.
  • August 10, 1944, one Shiun flew an anti-submarine flight. No enemy force found.
  • August 12, 1944, one Shiun flew an anti-submarine flight. No enemy force found.
  • August 12, 1944, 12th Reconnaissance Squadron was disbanded.

The commander of the squadron, Lt. Kiyoshi Aikawa wrote "..Never make again such an aircraft as the Shiun...". He reported that the reliability of the aircraft was poor, and it needed high amounts of maintenance.

Variants
  • E15K1 : Single-engined reconnaissance floatplane. Production version.

Operators
 Japan

Specifications (E15K1 late production)

Data from Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War[8]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 11.587 m (38 ft 0 in)
  • Wingspan: 14 m (45 ft 11 in)
  • Height: 4.95 m (16 ft 3 in)
  • Wing area: 30 m2 (320 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 3,165 kg (6,978 lb)
  • Gross weight: 4,100 kg (9,039 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 4,900 kg (10,803 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Mitsubishi MK4S Kasei 24 14-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 1,380 kW (1,850 hp) for take-off
  • 1,250 kW (1,680 hp) at 2,100 m (6,890 ft)
  • 1,150 kW (1,540 hp) at 5,500 m (18,045 ft)
  • Propellers: 4-bladed contra-rotating constant-speed propeller

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 469 km/h (291 mph, 253 kn) at 5,700 m (18,701 ft) with float
  • Cruise speed: 296 km/h (184 mph, 160 kn) at 2,500 m (8,202 ft)
  • Range: 3,371 km (2,095 mi, 1,820 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 9,830 m (32,250 ft)
  • Time to altitude: 6,000 m (19,685 ft) in 10 minutes
  • Wing loading: 136.7 kg/m2 (28.0 lb/sq ft)
  • Power/mass: 0.335 kW/kg (0.204 hp/lb)

Armament

See also

Related lists

References
Notes
  1. Francillon 1979, p. 314.
  2. Layman & McLaughlin 1991, pp. 77–78.
  3. Francillon 1979, p. 315.
  4. Green 1962, p. 127.
  5. Green 1962, p. 128.
  6. Francillon 1979, pp. 305–306.
  7. Francillon 1979, p. 31.
  8. Francillon 1979, p. 316.
Bibliography
  • Francillon, René J. (1979). Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War (2nd ed.). London: Putnam & Company Ltd. ISBN 0-370-30251-6.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Green, William (1962). War Planes of the Second World War: Volume Six, Floatplanes. London: Macdonald & Co. (Publishers) Ltd.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Jackson, Robert (2002). The Encyclopedia of Military Aircraft. Bath: Parragon. ISBN 0-7525-8130-9.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Layman, R. D.; McLaughlin, Stephen (1991). The Hybrid Warship. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-555-1.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • "61st Air Flotilla, 12th Recon Sqn wartime report No.1". Japan Center for Asian Historical Record (in Japanese). Ref. C13120220900.
  • "61st Air Flotilla, 12th Recon Sqn wartime report No.3". Japan Center for Asian Historical Record (in Japanese). Ref. C13120230300.
  • "61st Air Flotilla, 12th Recon Sqn wartime report No.4". Japan Center for Asian Historical Record (in Japanese). Ref. C13120230500.
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