IJN  Imperial Japanese Navy

Aichi M6A1 Seiran
Seiran (Clear Sky Storm) is the only submarine-borne aircraft built anywhere in the world with offensive missions as its primary role. Its wings and tail folding system for tight storage. Wings swiveled to lie flat against fuselage. It could be readied for flight in seven minutes by four maintenance people. Florescent paint was applied to all moving parts for night operations.

The war ended before it could fly its first mission. Flying from large I-400 Class Subs, of 4,500 tons from a watertight hanger capable of accommodating two attack aircraft, and a catapult on the forward deck, five were ordered, with an enlarged hanger for three planes. Plans were formulated to bomb the Panama Canal's lock gates and Navy Anchorage at Ulithi.

Production
About 30 Seirans were built, only one example, M6A1 1600228 exisits today in the National Air & Space Museum collection, at the Udvat-Hazy Center.

 

Role 

 Special Attack Bomber

Crew 

 2 (pilot / observer)

Engine 

1x Aichi Atsuta 32 twelve-cylinder inverted-vee liquid-cooled engine

Span 

 12.2m

Length 

 11.64m

Height 

 4.58m

Max. Speed 

 256 km/h

Range 

 642 miles

Armament 

 (rear) 1x13mm

Range  
1,284 miles
Propeller  
Three bladed
Bombload  
2x250 kg or
1x800 kg bomb

 

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