Aichi F1A
Aichi · Japan · first flew 1936 · reconnaissance aircraft
The Aichi F1A, designated AB-13 by Aichi, was a prototype Japanese single-engined biplane floatplane of the 1930s, intended as a short-range observation aircraft for the Imperial Japanese Navy's warships. Only two were built.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 9.3 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- small single-bay biplane of mixed construction
- wooden stressed-skin wings that folded for storage aboard ship
- single main float on the seaplane version
The pilot sat in an open cockpit and the observer's position was enclosed. The wings had combat flaps because the aircraft had to be manoeuvrable enough for air combat.
Specifications
- The Aichi F1A has a length of 9.3 m (31 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11 m (36 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 386 km/h (240 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
It was designed in response to a 1935 specification issued to Aichi, Kawanishi and Mitsubishi for a replacement for the Nakajima E8N. Aichi at first considered a low-wing monoplane, the AM-10, but chose a more conventional biplane. Power came from a single Nakajima Hikari radial engine.
Variants
Two prototypes were built, the first a floatplane and the second with a wheeled undercarriage, both completed in 1936.
Where you'll see it
The Mitsubishi F1M was selected instead, as it had superior performance despite poor stability in its prototypes. Mitsubishi redesigned it as the F1M2, which was selected for production in 1940.
Related aircraft
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