AICHI H9A1

The Aichi H9A was a Japanese umbrella-wing flying boat from the Second World War. The drive was provided by two Nakajima Ha-1 Kotobuki engines with a power of up to 710 HP each. The prototype flight took place in 1940. Serial production continued in 1941-1944, ending with the production of about 30 aircraft of this type. The on-board armament consisted of two 7.7 mm wz.92 machine guns. The machine could also carry a load of bombs weighing up to 500 kilograms. The Aichi H9A was created in response to the demand reported in 1940 by the command of the Japanese Navy for a new flying boat, which was primarily to perform training and training tasks. The Aichi production plant handled the task very quickly - the design work lasted from May to December 1940, and in December of the same year the prototype was successfully tested. Two versions of the aircraft were produced during serial production. The first one (H9A) was the first mass-produced version. Shortly after, however, a modernized version (H9A1) appeared, which had lower-mounted engines and a larger wingspan and their surface area. During World War II, the Aichi H9A was used primarily for training tasks, being marginally used for ZOP (anti-submarine combat) tasks or as a patrol machine. Machines of this type operated mainly in the area of the Japanese Islands. Until 1945, the existence of this type of aircraft was unknown to the Allies.