Aichi E16A Zuiun (Paul) Reconnaissance Floatplane / Dive Bomber - History, Specs and Pictures

The E16A Zuiun (translated into "Auspicious Cloud" and codenamed "Paul" by the Allies) was a dedicated reconnaissance floatplane and part-time dive-bomber for the Empire of Japan in World War Two. The system was an excellent floatplane type by all accounts, yet appeared at a time when Allied aircraft maintained much of the Pacific skies, relegating the E16A to limited use and even more limited production figures.

The E16A was typical of the Japanese assortment of floatplanes in its arsenal. The system was devised as a direct successor to the E13A "Jake" series of floatplane, both of which were produced by the Aichi aircraft firm. The E16A has crew accommodations for two personnel, a pilot and a rear-cockpit gunner. Pontoons were fitted underside in place of traditional landing gears. Standard armament was 2 x 20mm forward-fixed cannons in the wings and a single 7.7mm machine gun for the rear gunner. An underfuselage position was utilized for strike runs, though the primary use of the aircraft was of carrier-based reconnaissance.

The Aichi E16A was powered by a single Mitsubishi three-blade MK8D Kinsei 54 14-cylinder radial piston engine and could achieve a service ceiling of nearly 33,000 feet while reaching speeds of over 270 miles per hour. Range, like its predecessor, was an impressive 1,491 miles - crucial when operating in the vast open areas of the Pacific Ocean. 256 total examples of the E16A were ever produced and of only made up of the single E16A-1 model designation. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
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Specifications for the
Aichi E16A Zuiun (Paul)
Reconnaissance Floatplane / Dive Bomber

Country of Origin: Imperial Japan
Manufacturer: Aichi - Japan
Initial Year of Service: 1944
Production: 256

Focus Model: Aichi E16A Zuiun (Paul)
Crew: 2

Length: 35.53ft (10.83m)
Width: 42.03ft (12.81m)
Height: 15.72ft (4.79m)
Weight (Empty): 0lbs (0kg)
Weight (MTOW): 10,053lbs (4,560kg)

Powerplant: 1 x Mitsubishi Mk*D Kinsel 54 14-cylinder radial engine.

Maximum Speed: 273mph (439kmh; 237kts)
Maximum Range: 1,491miles (2,400km)
Service Ceiling: 32,808ft (10,000m; 6.2miles)
Rate-of-Climb: 0 feet per minute (0m/min)

Hardpoints: 1
Armament Suite:
2 x 20mm cannon (forward-firing fixed in wings)
1 x 7.7mm machine gun in rear cockpit position

Underfuselage provision for external stores.

Variants:
E16A - Base Series Designation

E16A-1 - Only production version produced.

Operators: Imperial Japan

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