The Kawanishi H8K was designed as a replacement for the Kawanishi H6K, which entered service in 1938. The Imperial Japanese Navy ordered the development of a larger, longer-ranged patrol aircraft under the designation Navy Experimental 13-Shi Large-size Flying Boat.
The H8K was powered by four Mitsubishi MK4Q Kasei 22 Engines giving it a maximum speed of 467 km/h (290 mph) at 5,000 m (16,000 ft). Its range was 7,152 km (4,444 miles)
The aircraft’s defensive armament was formidable, consisting of five 20mm cannons and five 7.7mm machineguns, along with the capability to carry two torpedoes or 2,000 kg of bombs or depth charges. It had a crew of ten.
Total Production was 167. The Allied reporting name for the Kawanishi H8K was Emily
The H8K entered production in 1941 and first saw operational use on the night of 4 March 1942 in a second raid on Pearl Harbor. This mission, known as Operation K, involved two H8Ks bombing Oahu, Hawaii, but due to bad weather, the mission achieved limited success. As Oahu was outside the range of the H8Ks, they were refuelled by a submarine at French Frigate Shoals, 900km west of Hawaii.
The H8K2 was the definitive production model with 112 produced. It had a revised tail turret, more powerful Mitsubishi MK4Q Kasei 22 engines.
Kawanishi H8K2Kawanishi H8K2Kawanishi H8K2Kawanishi H8K2Kawanishi H8K2Kawanishi H8K2Kawanishi H8K2Kawanishi H8K2Kawanishi H8K2Kawanishi H8K2Kawanishi H8K2Kawanishi H8K2 during Operation K; the second attack on Pearl Harbour
H8K2-L
The H8K2-L was a dedicated transport version with defensive armament only in the nose and tail.
Kawanishi H8K2-LKawanishi H8K2-LKawanishi H8K2-LKawanishi H8K2-LTwo H8K2-Ls at Yokosuka air base after the end of hostilitiesKawanishi H8K2-L
H8K3
Two H8K2s were modified to H8K3s. Changes included the gun blister being replaced by sliding hatches, retractable floats and a retractable dorsal turret. Both were later converted to H8K4s with 1,825 hp MK4T Mitsubishi Kasei 25b engines.
Kawanishi H8K3Kawanishi H8K3Kawanishi H8K3
Shot Down H8Ks
Kawanishi H8K2 under attack by a U.S. Navy Consolidated PB2Y of VP-116 on 12 November 1944Kawanishi H8K2 under attack by a U.S. Navy Consolidated PB2Y of VP-116 on 12 November 1944Kawanishi H8K2 burning on the water after being attacked by a U.S. Navy Consolidated PB2Y of VP-116 on 12 November 1944Kawanishi H8K2 crashing after being attacked by a U.S. Navy Consolidated PB2Y of VP-116 on 12 November 1944Kawanishi H8K2 burning on the water after being attacked by a U.S. Navy Consolidated PB2Y of VP-116 on 12 November 1944Kawanishi H8K2 under attack by a U.S. Navy Consolidated PB2Y of VP-116 on 12 November 1944Kawanishi H8K2 under attack by a U.S. Navy Consolidated PB2Y of VP-116 on 12 November 1944Kawanishi H8K2 being shot down by a U.S. Navy Consolidated PB4Y-1 Liberator of Bombing Squadron 115 (VB-115) in July 1944Kawanishi H8K2 being shot down by a U.S. Navy Consolidated PB4Y-1 Liberator of Bombing Squadron 115 (VB-115) in July 1944
Captured H8Ks
Captured Kawanishi H8K2 under evaluationCaptured Kawanishi H8K2 under evaluationCaptured Kawanishi H8K2 under evaluationCaptured Kawanishi H8K2 under evaluation. The Japanese markings have been reappliedCaptured Kawanishi H8K2 under evaluation. The Japanese markings have been reappliedCaptured Kawanishi H8K2 under evaluation. The Japanese markings have been reappliedCaptured Kawanishi H8K2 under evaluation. The Japanese markings have been reappliedCaptured Kawanishi H8K2 under evaluation. The Japanese markings have been reapplied
Wrecks
3rd Battalion of the 2nd Marines surveys an H8K Emily destroyed just off shore of Gavutu Island in Tulagi HarborWrecked Kawanishi H8KKawanishi H8K wrecked on Makin IslandKawanishi H8K-2 wrecked at RabaulWrecked Kawanishi H8KWrecked Kawanishi H8K
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