Kawanishi E11K
Kawanishi · Japan · first flew 1937 · reconnaissance aircraft
The Kawanishi E11K was a Japanese flying boat of the 1930s designed as a night reconnaissance aircraft for the Imperial Japanese Navy. It was not accepted in that role.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Radiator in a fairing above the rear fuselage and retractable wingtip floats |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Gull-winged cantilever monoplane flying boat
- Single pusher engine on struts above the wing driving a four-bladed propeller
- Radiator in a fairing above the rear fuselage and retractable wingtip floats
Look for a gull-winged flying boat with a single pusher engine mounted above the wing and folding wings with retractable wingtip floats.
Specifications
- The Kawanishi E11K has a length of 11.9 m (39 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 16.19 m (53 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 231 km/h (144 mph).
- Typical crew: 3.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The Navy asked Aichi and Kawanishi for a replacement for the Aichi Type 96 Reconnaissance Seaplane in 1936. Kawanishi's first of two prototypes made its maiden flight on 11 June 1937.
Variants
Two prototypes were built. Aichi's biplane entry was ordered into production as the Aichi E11A instead.
Where you'll see it
The E11K had poor stability and water handling and its engine overheated. The two prototypes were fitted with retractable beaching gear and served as Type 96 Transport flying boats, used as liaison aircraft well into the Second World War.
Related aircraft
- Kawanishi E13K
- Kawanishi E10K
- Kawanishi E15K Shiun
- Kawanishi K-12 Sakura
- Aichi E11A
- Arado Ar 196
- Argus As 292
- Blohm & Voss BV 138
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