Watanabe K8W
Watanabe · Japan · first flew 1938 · light aircraft
The Watanabe K8W was a Japanese floatplane trainer designed and built by Watanabe for the Imperial Japanese Navy.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.7 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Single-engine biplane floatplane with two floats
- Trainee and instructor in separate open cockpits
- Gasuden Jimpu radial engine in the nose
A single-engine biplane with a steel-tube fuselage and wooden wings, 8.7 m long with a 10 m wingspan.
Specifications
- The Watanabe K8W has a length of 8.7 m (29 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10 m (33 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 170 km/h (106 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
In 1937 the Navy drew up a specification for a primary floatplane trainer to replace the Yokosuka K4Y. Watanabe, Kawanishi and Nippi each received it, and the first of three K8W prototypes made its maiden flight in 1938.
Variants
The design carried the short designation K8W1. Three prototypes were built.
Where you'll see it
The Navy judged the Watanabe design inferior to the Kawanishi design, so it did not enter production.
Related aircraft
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