Kyushu Q1W Tokai "Lorna"
Kyushu Hikoki · Japan · first flew 1943 · transport aircraft
The Kyushu Q1W Tokai (Eastern Sea) was a Japanese twin-engine maritime patrol aircraft developed during WWII specifically for anti-submarine warfare, one of the first purpose-designed ASW aircraft of the Pacific war.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 12.09 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Japanese WWII twin-engine anti-submarine patrol aircraft
- Low-altitude maritime patrol with dipping sonar provisions
- Allied reporting name 'Lorna'
A mid-wing twin-engine monoplane with a rounded fuselage optimised for low-altitude over-water flight; resembles a simplified maritime patrol aircraft with ASW sensor provisions beneath the fuselage.
Specifications
- The Kyushu Q1W Tokai has a length of 12.09 m (40 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 16 m (52 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 320 km/h (199 mph).
- Typical crew: 3.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Responding to the increasing US submarine threat in 1942–43, the Imperial Japanese Navy issued a requirement for a dedicated ASW patrol aircraft. The Q1W entered service in 1944 and was unusual in being specifically optimised for sub-hunting rather than adapted from a general patrol design.
Variants
Q1W1 and Q1W2 variants differed in engine fit and equipment; total production was 153 aircraft.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy from 1944 until the end of the war, based at coastal patrol stations across Japan and occupied territories.
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