KAWANISHI E15K1 SHIUN

The Kawanishi E15K Shiun was a Japanese all-metal low wing seaplane from the Second World War. The propulsion was provided - in serial aircraft - by a single engine Mitsubishi Kasei 24 with power up to 1,850 hp. The flight of the prototype took place in 1941, and serial production continued in the years 1943-1944, ending with the production of about 15-20 copies of this aircraft. The on-board armament consisted of a single machine gun wz. 92 caliber 7.7 mm. The E15K was created in connection with an order from 1939 submitted by the command of the Japanese Navy at the Kawanishi factory for a new reconnaissance seaplane capable of operating in areas over which the enemy had control. The latter meant that the new seaplane focused primarily on the highest possible speed (which meant the use of a powerful engine for a seaplane) and low aerodynamic drag. The latter could be reduced by partially rejecting the float landing gear. Kawanishi E15K planes entered the line only in 1944 and operated in the South Pacific.