Aichi E16A Zuiun (Paul)

History

The E16A Zuiun (translated as "Auspicious Cloud", Allied codenamed "Paul") was a dedicated reconnaissance seaplane and part-time dive bomber of Imperial Japan during World War II. This system was an excellent type of seaplane by any means, but came at a time when Allied aircraft retained most of the Pacific skies, reducing the E16A to limited use and more limited production numbers.

The E16A is a typical family of seaplanes in the Japanese arsenal. The system was developed as a direct successor to the E13A "Jack" series of seaplanes, both of which are built by the Aichi Aircraft Company. The E16A has two crew compartments, a pilot and a gunner in the rear cockpit.

The pontoons are mounted on the bottom instead of the traditional landing gear. Standard armament consists of 2 x 20mm front guns on the wings and a 7.7mm machine gun for the rear gunner.

Although the aircraft's primary purpose is shipborne reconnaissance, the under-fuselage position is used for strike operations.

Powered by a single Mitsubishi three-blade MK8D Kinsei 54 14-cylinder radial piston engine, the Aichi E16A is capable of reaching a service ceiling of nearly 33,000 feet while reaching speeds in excess of 270 mph. Like its predecessor, the range reaches an impressive 1,491 miles - vital for use in the vast expanses of the Pacific Ocean.

A total of 256 E16As were produced, consisting of only the single model designation E16A-1.

Specification

Basic

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Performance

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Changes