There were many specialized aircraft designedthrough the decades for a single purpose.
One of these was the Aichi Seiran.
Cheif Engineer : Toshio Ozaki
Designed to fit into a "chute",or,
hangar that was 11' 6". The
floats, when detached,
allowed the wings (one piece)
to rotate 90 degrees - parallel to
the fuselage - and store in a smaller space.
The crafts were discovered when a Japanese
submarine surrendered to a Navy Destroyer. The
Japanese sub was 60% larger than the biggest US sub
and faster than any others. It carried enough fuel
to travel around the earth 1 1/2 times without
refueling. The most impressive function of
the sub was that of an aircraft carrier.
The M6A1 (Aichi) could be assembled
in about 30 minutes - ready
to launch. carrying a
1,288 lb bomb, the plane could
fly at speeds to 347 mph (without floats),
and had plans to bomb the lock at Panama canal
with 6 torpedoes and 4 bombs. The pilots studied
the canal and Gatun Locks and would've proved successful.
Similar missions were assigned. Before the crafts
were put to actual use, Japan surrendered
the world war (II) and a mission
(Operation Hikari)
to strike U. S. Navy fleet - anchored at
Ulithi Atoll - was canceled in August 16, 1945.
It would have, probably, been a success if the I-400
sub had not missed a radio message - and was at the wrong
rendezvous point. Upon stopping the mission (and, war),
the crews punched holes in the floats of the special
planes and dropped them into the sea. One
has been restored at the Smithsonian.
One of these was the Aichi Seiran.
Cheif Engineer : Toshio Ozaki
Designed to fit into a "chute",or,
hangar that was 11' 6". The
floats, when detached,
allowed the wings (one piece)
to rotate 90 degrees - parallel to
the fuselage - and store in a smaller space.
The crafts were discovered when a Japanese
submarine surrendered to a Navy Destroyer. The
Japanese sub was 60% larger than the biggest US sub
and faster than any others. It carried enough fuel
to travel around the earth 1 1/2 times without
refueling. The most impressive function of
the sub was that of an aircraft carrier.
The M6A1 (Aichi) could be assembled
in about 30 minutes - ready
to launch. carrying a
1,288 lb bomb, the plane could
fly at speeds to 347 mph (without floats),
and had plans to bomb the lock at Panama canal
with 6 torpedoes and 4 bombs. The pilots studied
the canal and Gatun Locks and would've proved successful.
Similar missions were assigned. Before the crafts
were put to actual use, Japan surrendered
the world war (II) and a mission
(Operation Hikari)
to strike U. S. Navy fleet - anchored at
Ulithi Atoll - was canceled in August 16, 1945.
It would have, probably, been a success if the I-400
sub had not missed a radio message - and was at the wrong
rendezvous point. Upon stopping the mission (and, war),
the crews punched holes in the floats of the special
planes and dropped them into the sea. One
has been restored at the Smithsonian.
4 opinionated prattle:
There were an abundence of these "special ops" weapons designed by all sides in WW II. The Japanese most likely had the corner on the market with help from Germany. The miniture submarine was a good example, it would hold two sailors and the object was to sneak into harbors and launch one or two torpedos. In most cases they were considered one way weapon systems, the crews were expendable. They were used at Pearl harbor, but unbable to penetrate the submarine nets at the mouth of the harbor. I assume there are several on display around the world, I saw one at the Submarine School in New London, CT and a second one that is on display at Pearl Harbor. Quite the little machine, but I am not going to volunteer to go down in one. Your cardboard boat looked more sea worthy.
our cardboard boat also seems a lot safer than the new "green" ride......yes - i'm home for lunch. gonna work nights for the rest of this week and need practice for when the house is quiet so i don't go stir-crazy. um - good morning?
Just read a public statement record alert from the National Weather Service, Anchorage office at Sand Lake is reporting a record snow fall of 5.2 inches on January 10th exceeding the previous record set in 1991 at 4.4 inches - must be nice to live inthe Banana Belt! but, just looking at my doppler, looks as if you are getting snow as we speak or at least as I speak. It passed through here duringhtenight, another plow day! You should receive snow the remainder of the day as this front extends from LA to Clam Gulch now.
we ARE getting snow. coming down as we (i) speak(write). looks like a good day to stack $2000 worth of pipe in the yard for beginning the job tonite!
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