Yokosuka E14Y
Yokosuka Naval Air Technical Arsenal · Japan · first flew 1940 · reconnaissance aircraft
The Yokosuka E14Y (Allied code name Glen) was a compact submarine-launched floatplane reconnaissance aircraft, the only Axis aircraft to bomb the continental United States during World War II.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.54 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Compact single-engine floatplane that folded for storage in submarine hangar cylinders
- Twin pontoon floats; folding wings and tail for compact stowage
- Crew of two in tandem open cockpits with no defensive armament
Twin-float monoplane with a low tapered wing that hinges to fold flat for stowage. The unenclosed tandem cockpits and absence of any armament distinguish it as a pure scout. The folding wingtips and tailplane are visible on stowed examples. Unusually delicate and compact for a military floatplane.
Specifications
- The Yokosuka E14Y has a length of 8.54 m (28 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11 m (36 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 246 km/h (153 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed to fold into the cylindrical hangars fitted to Japanese I-class submarines, the E14Y entered service in 1941. In September 1942, a Glen launched from I-25 dropped incendiary bombs on forests near Brookings, Oregon — the sole aerial bombing of the US mainland. The aircraft was also used for reconnaissance of Pearl Harbor before the December 1941 attack and for scouting sorties over the Panama Canal. Its very limited range and speed made it vulnerable, and later in the war it was largely relegated to liaison duties.
Variants
E14Y1 production variant; minor differences in radio equipment across production batches.
Where you'll see it
Operated from Japanese I-class and AM-class submarines throughout the Pacific War. Total of 126 built.
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