Aichi M6A

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Aichi M6A Seiran
Type	Submarine-launched dive bomber
Manufacturer	Aichi Kokuki KK
Status	1 in the Udvar-Hazy Center of National Air and Space Museumlocated in the Washington, DC suburb of Chantilly, Virginia near Dulles International Airport
Primary user	Imperial Japanese Navy
Produced	1943-1945
Number built	28

The Aichi M6A Seiran^[1] was a submarine-launched attack floatplane designed for the Imperial Japanese Navy.

It was intended to be used with the I-400, a 4500-ton submarine dubbed a "submersible aircraft carrier". Two to three of the craft would be stowed aboard in disassembled form, and launched by catapult. The twin floats could be jettisonned, and the aircraft was essentially meant to be ditched at sea upon completion of its mission.

An alternate version with landing gear instead of floats was designated M6A1-K and named Nanzan (南山, "Southern Mountain"). While generally described as a land-based trainer, some sources indicate that it was designed for the attack role, to be launched from the submarine and then landed. Besides the difference in landing gear, the Nanzan's vertical stabilizer was clipped to balance out the weight.

The first M6A1 was completed in November 1943, and 28 examples (including M6A1-Ks) were completed by 1945. The type was never used in combat. A single M6A1 has been preserved and resides in the Udvar-Hazy Center of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. It is located in the Washington, DC suburb of Chantilly, VA near Dulles International Airport.

Contents 1 Aichi M6A1 Museum displays 2 Versions 3 Specifications (M6A1) 4 References 5 Related content

[edit] Aichi M6A1 Museum displays

• The sole remaining Aichi M6A1 was preserved by the Smithsonian Institution and resides in the Udvar-Hazy Center (UHC) of the National Air and Space Museum. UHC is located in the Washington, DC suburb of Chantilly, VA near Dulles International Airport.

[edit] Versions

• M6A1:Prototypes,Engine Atsuta 30 or 31 of 1,400 hp,disarmable floats,8
• M6A1 Seiran (Mountain Haze or Clear Sky) Special Attack Bomber:Serie Model,18
• M6A1-K Nanzan (South Mountains):Prototypes of training version.retractile landing gear with wheels,2
• M6A2:Prototype,equipped with one Mitsubishi MK8P Kinsei 62 of 1,560 hp driving a three-blade constant-speed metal propeller,1

• Total Production: 28 or 29 examples (included M6A2 prototype)

[edit] Specifications (M6A1)

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Length: (34 ft 11 in)
• Wingspan: 12.26 m (40 ft 3 in)
• Height: 4.58 m (15 ft 1 in)
• Wing area: 27.0 m² (291 ft²)
• Empty weight: 3,362 kg (7,412 lb)
• Loaded weight: 4,250 kg (9,370 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: <!9800 4445 kg> ()
• Powerplant: 1× Aichi Atsuta Type 32, 1,400 hp (1,000 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 474 km/h (256 knots, 295 mph)
• Range: 2,000 km (1,100 nm, 1,200 mi)
• Service ceiling: 9,900 m (32,000 ft)
• Wing loading: 157 kg/m² (32.2 lb/ft²)
• Power/mass: 246 W/kg (0.15 hp/lb)

Armament

• Guns: 1× 12.7 mm (.50 in) cabin-mounted Type 2 machine gun
• Bombs:
  
  • 1× torpedo or
  • 800 kg (1,800 lb) general ordnance

[edit] References

Sei - Clear Skies, ran - Storm. Loose translation; Storm from clear skies.

[edit] Related content

Comparable aircraft

• Arado Ar 231
• Mureaux-Besson MB 411
• Watanabe E9W1
• Yokosuka E14Y

Related lists

• List of bomber aircraft
• List of military aircraft of Japan