Aichi E3A
Aichi · Japan · first flew 1929 · light aircraft
The Aichi E3A (Navy Type 90-2 Reconnaissance Seaplane) was a Japanese two-seat biplane floatplane of the late 1920s, designed for shipboard reconnaissance.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.45 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Single-engine biplane floatplane with twin main floats
- Open tandem cockpits with observer in rear
- Strut-braced parasol or biplane wing over the floats
A conventional two-bay biplane floatplane with twin main floats and a radial engine; distinguished from contemporaries by Aichi's clean interplane strut arrangement.
Specifications
- The Aichi E3A has a length of 8.45 m (28 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.1 m (36 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 197 km/h (122 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed for the Imperial Japanese Navy, the E3A entered service around 1930 as a catapult-launched spotter and reconnaissance aircraft. It was based on design experience shared with German manufacturers and served on cruisers and battleships until replaced by more capable types.
Variants
The E3A1 was the principal production mark; a small number of examples were built.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy from cruisers and battleships in the early 1930s; the country-of-origin field in the source data reading 'Germany' appears to be an error — this is a Japanese aircraft.
Related aircraft
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