Kawanishi H8K

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1st prototype H8K1

1st prototype of H8K1 after rebuild

Captured H8K2

Captured H8K2

Captured H8K2 Emily

Captured H8K2 Emily

Captured Kawanishi H8K2 1945

Captured Kawanishi H8K2 1945

Captured Kawanishi H8K2 2

Captured Kawanishi H8K2 2

H8K 51-085 going down in Central Pacific

H8K 51-085 going down in Central Pacific, 2 July 1944.

H8K under fire from PB4Y of VPB-117

H8K 801-77 under fire from PB4Y of VPB-117 2

H8K Emily Flying Boat 1944

H8K Emily Flying Boat Saipan 1944

H8K under attack by USN Aircraft ’44

H8K under attack by USN Aircraft 1944

Imperial Japanese Navy flying boat H8K1

H8K1 Emily

H8K1 Shikishima

H8K1 Shikishima of Takuma Kokutai with radar Type 6 Mark 4 Mod 3

H8K2 of the 801 Kokutai

H8K2 "801-77" of the 801 Kokutai

H8K2 801-77 under fire from PB4Y of VPB-117

H8K2 801-77 under fire from PB4Y of VPB-117

H8K attempting to flee from PB4Y 1944

H8K2 attempting to flee from PB4Y 1944

H8K2 left wing

H8K2 left wing

H8K2 of the 851 Kokutai 1944

H8K2 of the 851 Kokutai 1944

H8K2 on the water

H8K2 on the water

H8K2 under attack by PB4Y-1 ’44

H8K2 under attack by PB4Y-1 1944

Prototype H8K1

Prototype of H8K1

US soldiers inspect wrecked H8K Emily on Makin 1944

US soldiers inspect wrecked H8K Emily on Makin 1944

Wreckage of H8K on the beach at Butaritari Makin

Wreckage of H8K2 on the beach at Butaritari Makin

The Kawanishi H8K Emily (二式大型飛行艇, Type 2 Large Flying Boat. 二式大艇, Nishiki Daitei, Nishiki Taitei) was an Imperial Japanese Navy flying boat used during World War II for maritime patrol and transport duties.

Design and Structure

  • Type: Four-engined Bomber-Reconnaissance flying-boat.

  • Wings:

    • Configuration: High-wing cantilever monoplane with straight taper on both leading and trailing edges and dihedral from the roots.
    • Structure: Made of metal with a metal covering, featuring high aspect ratio ailerons. There is no information provided on the presence of flaps.

  • Hull:

    • Construction: All-metal deep two-step hull with a long nose and high bows. The central section is almost slab-sided, transitioning to an oval section aft. The aircraft is equipped with large strut-braced wing-tip floats.

  • Tail Unit:

    • Type: High cantilever tailplane with slight taper on both leading and trailing edges. It includes a large single fin and balanced rudder.

Power Plant

  • Engines: Four Mitsubishi Kasei 22 fourteen-cylinder radial air-cooled engines, each producing 1,825 hp.
  • Propellers: Four-blade Hamilton type constant-speed airscrews.
  • Fuel Tanks: Protected fuel tanks located in the wings.

Accommodation

  • Crew: Accommodates ten to twelve crew members, with armor protection.

Armament

  • Defensive Positions:
    • Nose turret
    • Dorsal turret
    • Tail turret
    • Beam gun positions
  • Weapons: The armament includes both 20 mm cannon and 7.9 mm machine-guns.

Dimensions and Weights

  • Dimensions:

    • Span: 124 ft. 7 in. (38 m)
    • Length: 92 ft. 3 in. (28.1 m)

  • Weights:

    • Empty Weight: 34,000 lbs. (15,440 kg)
    • Loaded Weight: 68,000 lbs. (30,870 kg)

Performance

  • Maximum Speed: 296 mph (472 km/h) at 19,680 ft (6,000 m)
  • Cruising Speed: 172 mph (275 km/h)
  • Climb to 20,000 ft (6,100 m): 20 minutes
  • Service Ceiling: 28,000 ft (8,540 m)
  • Maximum Range: 3,000 miles (4,800 km)

This aircraft is designed for long-range missions with significant offensive and defensive capabilities, suitable for maritime patrol, bombing, and reconnaissance tasks. Its design and features reflect a focus on durability and operational flexibility over long distances.