Nakajima E4N

The Nakajima E4N was a Japanese shipboard reconnaissance aircraft of the 1930s. It was a two-seat, single-engine, equal-span biplane seaplane used primarily by the Imperial Japanese Navy.

E4N
E4N2
Role Reconnaissance aircraft
Manufacturer Nakajima Aircraft Company
First flight 1930
Introduction 1931
Status Retired
Primary users Imperial Japanese Navy
Japanese Post Office
Produced 1931-1933
Number built 153

Development

The first prototype of the Type 90-2 Reconnaissance Seaplane, or E4N1, flew in 1930. This was fitted with twin floats and had no cowling for the engine. This prototype was rejected.

The type was completely redesigned as the Type 90-2-2 or E4N2, with a single main-float and twin, wing-mounted outriggers and introduced a cowled engine. This entered production for the Navy in 1931.

A landplane version of the Type 90-2-2 was developed as the E4N2-C with a tailwheel undercarriage

Operational history

The E4N2 was employed as a shipboard reconnaissance seaplane launched by catapult.

In 1933, nine E4N2-C airframes were converted to P1 mail planes. Single-seat landplanes with an enclosed cockpit, these were employed on night-mail services between the Japanese Home Islands.

Variants
E4N1

(Navy Type 90-2-1 Reconnaissance Seaplane) twin-float seaplane, Nakajima NZ - two prototypes only.[1]

E4N2
(Navy Type 90-2-2 Reconnaissance Seaplane) - Nakajima NJ single-float seaplane. 85 built.[1]
E4N2-C
(Navy Type 90-2-3 Carrier Reconnaissance Aircraft) - Nakajima NJ landplane fitted with arresting gear and fixed-undercarriage. 67 built.[1]
E4N3
(Navy Type 90-2-3 Reconnaissance Seaplane) Nakajima NJ.[1]
Nakajima P-1
Main article: Nakajima P-1
Single-seat mailplane. 9 converted from E4N2-C airframes.[1]
Nakajima Giyu-11
One of the two E4N1 seaplanes converted with a cabin for use by Tokyo Koku Yuso Kaisha between Haneda airport, Shimizu and Shimoda.[1]

Specifications (Type 90-2-2)

Data from Japanese Aircraft 1910-1941 [1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 8.87 m (29 ft 1 in)
  • Wingspan: 10.98 m (36 ft 0 in)
  • Height: 3.97 m (13 ft 0 in)
  • Wing area: 29.7 m2 (320 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 1,252 kg (2,760 lb)
  • Gross weight: 1,800 kg (3,968 lb)
  • Powerplant: × Nakajima Kotobuki 2 9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 433 kW (581 hp)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed fixed-pitch propeller

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 232 km/h (144 mph, 125 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 148 km/h (92 mph, 80 kn)
  • Range: 1,019 km (633 mi, 550 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 5,740 m (18,830 ft)
  • Wing loading: 60.7 kg/m2 (12.4 lb/sq ft)
  • Power/mass: 0.24 kW/kg (0.15 hp/lb)

Armament

  • Guns: 1 × fixed, forward-firing 7.7 mm machine gun and 1 × flexible 7.7 mm machine gun in rear cockpit
  • Bombs: 2 × 30 kg (66 lb) bombs

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References
  1. Mikesh, Robert C. and Abe, Shorzoe. Japanese Aircraft 1910-1941. London: Putnam Aeronautical Books, 1990. ISBN 0-85177-840-2
  • Francillon, Réne J. Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War. London: Putnam & Company Ltd., 1970 (2nd edition 1979). ISBN 0-370-30251-6
  • Mikesh, Robert C. and Abe, Shorzoe. Japanese Aircraft 1910-1941. London: Putnam Aeronautical Books, 1990. ISBN 0-85177-840-2

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