Nakadžima E4N

History:[/heading]

Japanese naval air force (Kaigun Kōkū Hombu) obtained at the end of the twenties of the aircraft Vought O2U-1 Corsair, japanese sailors of the aircraft tested and compared it with its own float plane type 15 (E2N2)japanese aircraft in a test stand, but it was decided that the plane will see you through the designers of the company 中島飛行機株式会社 - Nakajima Hikōki Kabushiki Kaisha (hereinafter referred to as Nakajima). It happened even in 1930, the engineer Shinobu Micutake and his team with the design of the aircraft thoroughly acquainted. Naval air force later this year called on the company 愛知航空機株式会社 - Aichi Kōkūki Kabushiki Kaisha (hereinafter referred to as Ajči), 川西航空機株式会社 – Kawanishi Kōkūki Kabushiki Kaisha (hereinafter referred to as Kawanishi) and Nakajima to build two prototypes of reconnaissance seaplanes – successors of type 15. The prototypes were designated as the type 90, Ajči type 90-1, Nakajima type 90-2 and finally Kawanishi type 90-3. The competition won conditionally the company Ajči, which had on its prototype E3A1 make major changes and so eventually the company Nakajima succeed with your type of 90-2, abbreviated E4N.

The first two prototypes E4N1 were completed in December 1930 and it was up to them to see that the designers left considerably affect the structures Voughtu. Construction was mixed, the hull was welded from steel tubes, alloyed with chromium and moly -, the front part of the fuselage was covered by aluminum sheet and the rear part was covered with canvas. The wings had a skeleton of wood and the cover was cloth. Unlike jednoplovákového O2U-1 was a japanese machine dvouplovákový, however, it was the wrong way, the floats were heavy and had a large side surface and that had the japanese aircraft a little dexterity. Powered by was a british engine Jupiter VI. The design was adapted for katapultovaný take-off from the battleships and cruisers.
One of the prototypes (, maybe both) was purchased by the association the Kaibo Gikai and was subsequently adapted for civil transport, got a closed cabin for two passengers. He flew with the company Tokyo Koku Yuso Kaisha on the route Tokyo – Shimizu and Šimoda,was converted to Giyu-11.

The development of naval aircraft continued in a different direction, it was reduced wingspan, enlarged tail surface to compensate for the lateral area of the two floats. The engine was changed for the japanese Nakajima Kotobuki 1, the new machine was designated as Nakajima E4N2 model 1, or also the type of 90-2-1, in this embodiment it was made only a few aircraft.
These aircraft were soon replaced by a new version, which has already had one main and two auxiliary floats, this adjustment improved the handling and manoeuvrability of an aeroplane, the engine Kotobuki 1 was soon replaced by the engine Kotobuki 2 Kai 1, which was zakrytován ring type of Townend and the engine powered metal two-blade propeller Hamilton Standard. This design has been the standard of the type 90-2-2 or informally as E4N2. The production company participated in Kawanishi. This float plane was quite extended to the decks of cruisers and battleships, his dexterity allegedly gave to compare with contemporary fighter and the strength of the structure could bear comparison with the dive bomber. In 1932 several aircraft E4N2 interfere with the operations in Shanghai incident.

The japanese navy invited the design team of the company Nakajima to modify the aircraft for operations from the decks of aircraft carriers, the american pattern of this modification permit. Soon after that arises on-board reconnaissance aircraft type 90-2-3, better known under the short designation of E4N2-C, the chassis was wheeled with a fixed spur and a hinged hook for capturing braking lan. In this version it is unclear the number of the machines produced, some authors have reported five aircraft, but elsewhere it is indicated and 67 aircraft. (in my opinion, is here wrongly lists the total production of float version E4N2 with the company Kawanishi aircraft E4N2-C were produced only for testing in number of five pieces)

The last naval version should be a reconnaissance aircraft to ground base type 90-2-3 or also E4N3 (There should be additional letter C or R, because it was a change of destination). The aircraft, however, did not exceed the stage of the project and was terminated, because he was preferred just emerging reconnaissance float plane of the type 95 or also E8N1 Dave.

In the civil service is applied about nine aeroplanes Nakajima P-1, incurred by the adjustment of the discarded E4N2-C and E4N2, these aircraft transported the postage cost.

sources:
Robert C. Mikesh and Shorzoe Abe, Japanese Aircraft 1910-1941, Naval Institute Press Annapolis, Maryland 21402, 1990, ISBN: 1-155750-563-2
Tadeusz Januszewski and Kryzysztof Zalewski, Japońskie samoloty marynarski 1912-1945, volume 1., Lampart, year 2000, ISBN: 83-86776-50-1
http://www.airwar.ru/enc/other1/e4n.html
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