Nakajima E8N "Dave"

Nakajima · Japan · first flew 1934 · light aircraft

The Nakajima E8N (Allied reporting name 'Dave') was a Japanese Navy single-engine biplane floatplane used for ship-launched reconnaissance and observation. It served from cruisers and battleships of the Imperial Japanese Navy.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	Prominent twin under-fuselage float struts
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Single-engine biplane floatplane with twin floats
Open cockpit for two crew in tandem
Prominent twin under-fuselage float struts

A two-seat biplane floatplane with twin main floats and strut-braced wings; the open tandem cockpits and compact biplane configuration distinguish it from the later monoplane floatplanes it served alongside.

Specifications

The Nakajima E8N has a length of 8.81 m (29 ft).
It has a wingspan of 10.98 m (36 ft).
Its maximum speed is 300 km/h (186 mph).
Typical crew: 2.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Entering service in 1935, the E8N replaced the earlier Nakajima E4N and equipped the catapult positions of most IJN cruisers and battleships through the early years of the Pacific War. It participated in operations from Pearl Harbor through the Guadalcanal campaign before being supplanted by the Aichi E13A.

Variants

The E8N1 was the production version; the E8N2 introduced minor refinements and a small number were built.

Where you'll see it

Served exclusively with the Imperial Japanese Navy, launched by catapult from cruisers, battleships, and seaplane tenders.

Related aircraft

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