Kawanishi E7K
ManufacturerKawanishi Aircraft Company
The Kawanishi E7K was a three-seat reconnaissance seaplane that was designed and produced by the Japanese aviation manufacturer Kawanishi Aircraft Company. It was allocated the reporting name Alf by the Allies.
The initial model of the aircraft, the E7K1, had been designed in response to a request from the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) for a successor to the Kawanishi E5K. Powered by a single Hiro Type 91 W-12 inline engine, the prototype E7K1 made its maiden flight on 6 February 1933. The type was ordered into production under the designation Navy Type 94 Reconnaissance Seaplane. Introduced to IJN service in 1935, the aircraft was relatively popular, but proved to be somewhat unreliable due to engine-related difficulties. In August 1938, the first E7K2, powered by a Mitsubishi MK2 Zuisei 11 radial engine, made its first flight; this model would also be procured by the IJN under the Navy Type 94 Reconnaissance Seaplane Model 2 designation. While the majority of aircraft completed were produced by Kawanishi, a minority of both E7K1s and E7K2s ere assembled by another manufacturer, Nippon Hikoki K.K., as well.
By the start of the Pacific War, the E7K1 was considered to be obsolete and...
The initial model of the aircraft, the E7K1, had been designed in response to a request from the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) for a successor to the Kawanishi E5K. Powered by a single Hiro Type 91 W-12 inline engine, the prototype E7K1 made its maiden flight on 6 February 1933. The type was ordered into production under the designation Navy Type 94 Reconnaissance Seaplane. Introduced to IJN service in 1935, the aircraft was relatively popular, but proved to be somewhat unreliable due to engine-related difficulties. In August 1938, the first E7K2, powered by a Mitsubishi MK2 Zuisei 11 radial engine, made its first flight; this model would also be procured by the IJN under the Navy Type 94 Reconnaissance Seaplane Model 2 designation. While the majority of aircraft completed were produced by Kawanishi, a minority of both E7K1s and E7K2s ere assembled by another manufacturer, Nippon Hikoki K.K., as well.
By the start of the Pacific War, the E7K1 was considered to be obsolete and...
