Kawanishi E15K1 Shiun

The Kawanishi E15K1 Shiun was a single-engine Japanese reconnaissance floatplane. It was codenamed “Norm” by the Allies. It was designed from 1939 onward for the Imperial Japanese Navy as a two-seat fast reconnaissance aircraft. The aircraft was intended to be stationed aboard the new cruisers.

The aircraft was powered by a Mitsubishi MK4D Kasei 14-cylinder radial engine. Unusually, the power was transferred to two two-bladed contra-rotating propellers. The aircraft had a central and two retractable support floats. The maiden flight took place on December 5, 1941. Five more prototypes were built in 1941/42. Problems arose during testing with the retractable support floats. Therefore, they were fixed, and the next aircraft were fitted with the more powerful Mitsubishi MK4S Kasei 24 engine.

The service of this type, however, was not very successful. Six examples were sent to Palau in the South Pacific. However, they were all quickly shot down by Allied fighters. The main float could not be jettisoned in an emergency as desired. Since the system had not been tested and no success was foreseeable, production was discontinued after only 15 examples. Six of these were prototypes.

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 11.587 m (38 ft 0 in)
  • Wingspan: 14 m (45 ft 11 in)
  • Height: 4.95 m (16 ft 3 in)
  • Wing area: 30 m2 (320 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 3,165 kg (6,978 lb)
  • Gross weight: 4,100 kg (9,039 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 4,900 kg (10,803 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Mitsubishi MK4S Kasei 24 14-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 1,380 kW (1,850 hp) for take-off
  • 1,250 kW (1,680 hp) at 2,100 m (6,900 ft)
  • 1,150 kW (1,540 hp) at 5,500 m (18,000 ft)
  • Propellers: 4-bladed contra-rotating constant-speed propeller

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 469 km/h (291 mph, 253 kn) at 5,700 m (18,700 ft) with float
  • Cruise speed: 296 km/h (184 mph, 160 kn) at 2,500 m (8,200 ft)
  • Range: 3,371 km (2,095 mi, 1,820 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 9,830 m (32,250 ft)
  • Time to altitude: 6,000 m (20,000 ft) in 10 minutes
  • Wing loading: 136.7 kg/m2 (28.0 lb/sq ft)
  • Power/mass: 0.335 kW/kg (0.204 hp/lb)

Armament

The Dive

We dived the wreck on Feb. 22nd 2025 during one dive.

Model

Sketchfab