Aichi Navy Type 2 Single-seat Reconnaissance Seaplane (HD-26)

The Aichi Navy Type 2 Single-seat Reconnaissance Seaplane (HD-26) was a Heinkel design imported into Japan by Aichi for use as a ship-borne reconnaissance aircraft, but that didn’t enter service.

In the mid-1920s Aichi established a strong bond with Heinkel, importing an number of their aircraft. In 1926 they imported examples of the HD-25 (which entered limited service as the Navy Type 2 Two-seat Reconnaissance Seaplane) and the smaller HD-26. The two designs were very similar, with a wooden structure, ply covering on the fuselage and thick semi-cantilever wings. The HD-26 was a scaled down version of the HD-25, designed to be launched from ramps mounted on gun turrets. Aichi also imported the HD-28, which was a three-seat reconnaissance aircraft.

A single HD-26 was built in Germany and imported into Japan during 1926. This aircraft was used for tests from a ramp on the battleship Nagato. This was followed by a single Type 2 Single-seat Reconnaissance Seaplane built in Japanese by Aichi. This aircraft was used for tests from the Nagato and the cruiser Furutaka, but the Japanese navy then decided to install catapults on their ships, making the ramp-launched HD-26 obsolete. The Heinkel aircraft used a 300hp Hispano-Suiza engine, while the Aichi-built one used a 420 Bristol Jupiter engine which improved its top speed and greatly improved its climb rate.

Stats (Aichi aircraft)
Engine: Bristol Jupiter VI nine-cylinder air-cooled radial engine
Power: 420hp
Crew: 1
Span: 38ft 8.5in
Length: 27ft 8.25in
Height: 11ft 9.5in
Empty weight: 2,535lb
Loaded weight: 3,306.9lb
Max speed: 132mph
Climb Rate: 7min 30sec to 9,843ft
Armament: One fixed forward firing 7.7mm machine gun

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How to cite this article: Rickard, J (1 August 2012), Aichi Navy Type 2 Single-seat Reconnaissance Seaplane (HD-26) , http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_aichi_navy_type_2_single_seat_recon.html

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