Kawanishi E7K "Alf"

In use since the mid-1930s, the Type 94 Reconnaissance Seaplane Model 2 saw moderate deployment in frontline service with the IJN until 1943. The plane was constructed of a metal frame with cloth covering. It was well liked by pilots for its ease of handling. Late in the war, the plane was also used for kamikaze attacks. It was known by the Allied codename "Alf." Some 350 examples were built.

The E7K2 has a crew of three: pilot, two observers/gunners. Each crew has access to a single 7.7mm Type 92 LMG; the pilots MG is fixed in the forward position while both of the observer's guns are trainable to the rear: one dorsally and one ventrally. The plane can carry up to 265 lbs. of bombs. The E7K burns 32.5 gallons of fuel per hour and has a historical endurance of 11.5 hours. A full load of fuel and ammo (excluding bombs) costs $1,732.

Kawanishi E7K2 "Alf"

Subassemblies: Medium Fighter chassis +3; Heavy Fighter wings with Biplane option +2; 2 fixed Skids +1; two Small AFV Waterproofed pontoons [Body:U] +2.

Powertrain: 649-kW Aerial Supercharged HP gasoline engine with 649-kW prop; 255-gallon standard fuel tank; 4,000-kW battery.

Occ.: 3 XCS Body

Cargo: 0 Body

Armor F RL B T U

Body: 1/2C 1/2C 1/2C 1/2C 1/2C

Wings: 1/2C 1/2C 1/2C 1/2C 1/2C

Pontoons: 2/2 2/2 2/2 2/2 2/2

Weaponry:

Aircraft LMG/7.7mm Type 92 LMG [Body:F] (500 rounds).

Aircraft LMG/7.7mm Type 92 LMG [Body:B] (500 rounds).

Aircraft LMG/7.7mm Type 92 LMG [Body:U] (500 rounds).

265-lbs. Bombs [Body:U]

Equipment:

Body: Navigation instruments, medium range radio transmitter, two casemate mounts, 265-lb. hardpoint.

Statistics:

Size: 34'x46'x16' Payload: 1.32 tons Lwt.: 3.64 tons

Volume: 200 Maint.: 40 hours Cost: $25,406

HT: 7. HPs: 60 Body, 180 each Wing, 30 each Skid, 75 each Pontoon.

aSpeed: 171 aAccel: 5 aDecel: 18 aMR: 4.5 aSR: 1

Stall Speed: 53 mph. -1 aSpeed with loaded hardpoint.

wSpeed: 22 wAccel: 5 wDecel: 1 (3.5) wMR: 0.1 wSR: 3

Draft: 1.6 feet. Flotation Rating: 13,362 lbs.

Design Notes:

Historical wing area was 469 sf. The weight, cost and HPs of all components (chassis, wings, pontoons) were halved to reduce design weight. Design loaded weight was 7,326 lbs.; this was decreased a further 1% to the historical. Design aSpeed was 177; the historical aSpeed is shown. MG load-outs and fuel capacity are a guess, but were used to bring design payload to within 2% of the historical. Historical loaded weight and wing area were used for all performance calculations. The pontoons have average lines. Takeoff from the water requires a 10 mph tailwind.

Variants:

The E7K1 (1934) featured an unreliable 462-kW engine. By 1935 it was only used for second line duties. At the end of the war, it was also used for kamikaze attacks. 183 built.

From the Aerodrome for GURPS