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The Navy Type 10 Reconnaissance Seaplane was an unsatisfactory design for an aircraft to replace the Ro-go Ko-gata seaplane that eventually evolved into the more successful Yokosho Type 14 Reconnaissance Seaplane E1Y.
Work on the Navy Type 10 began in 1921. The design team was led by members of a team from Short Brothers, with Lt Misao Wada, Sub Lt Jun Okamura and Engineer Masasuke Hashimoto leading the Japanese part of the team.
The aircraft introduced two 'firsts' in Japanese aircraft - the use of the 400hp Lorraine engine and long single-step floats. This meant that it didn't need a third tail float. The Type 10 was a biplane, with a wooden framework and fabric covering. The crew of two were carried in tandem cockpits. Two prototypes were complete in 1923, but these proved to be too heavy.
The design was modified, and a single example of the 'Model A' was produced in 1924. This was a slight improvement, but still not good enough for service.
In 1925 Masasuke Hashimoto, along with a new partner, Lt-Cdr Kiyosaku Shimura, produced a third version of the aircraft, unofficially known as the Type B. This had smaller wings with modified controls and was 300lb lighter when fully loaded. It was also a little faster than the Model A.
The Model B wasn't accepted for production, but it was considered promising enough to deserve more work. After further improvements the modified aircraft was accepted as the Navy Type 14 Reconnaissance Seaplane E1Y1.
Model B
Engine: Lorraine 1 12-cylinder V water cooled engine
Power: 400hp
Crew: 2
Span: 53ft 0.25in
Length: 38ft 7.75in
Height: 14ft 1.5in
Empty weight: 4,215lb
Loaded weight: 6,344lb
Max speed: 97.8mph
Climb Rate: 60min to 8,202ft
Armament: One flexibly mounted 7.7mm machine gun in rear cockpit