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Fokker T.VIII of No. 320 (Netherlands) Squadron RAF, Coastal Command
The Fokker T.VIII was a twin-engined torpedo bomber and aerial reconnaissance floatplane. Eleven T.VIIIs entered service with the Netherlands Naval Aviation Service.
Having anticipated a German invasion of the Netherlands, military planners had already directed that the T.VIIIs be dispersed prior to May 1940. Immediately following the German invasion in 1940, nine aircraft were relocated to bases in France; while some reconnaissance missions were flown early on, these were soon suspended in the face of German aerial superiority. On 22 May 1940, these aircraft escaped to the United Kingdom; notably, one T.VIII was used to aid in the escape of two members of the Dutch Cabinet. Those aircraft that reached Britain would form the nucleus of No. 320 (Netherlands) Squadron RAF, Coastal Command, based at Pembroke Dock in Pembrokeshire, South Wales.
The unit performed numerous convoy escort and anti-submarine patrols, aiming to detect and attack Germany raiding forces. It was also used for espionage operations as a liaison aircraft for contacting members of the Dutch resistance on the continent. Eventually, a lack of spares meant that these aircraft become unserviceable and were retired; their Dutch crews were transferred to newly-procured Lockheed Hudson light bombers.
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“A Curtiss SC-1 Seahawk floatplane is being hoisted aboard USS MANCHESTER (CL-83). MANCHESTER was part of the task group around USS MIDWAY (CVB-41) during a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea from October 29, 1947 to March 11, 1948.”
Photographed in 1947.
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The E12A1 was an experimental reconnaissance floatplane, the experience of its creation was used in the design of the more successful E13A1 floatplane.
@Destroye83 via X
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Aichi E13A-1 “Jake” from the seaplane transport “Kamikawa Maru” of the Imperial Japanese Navy.
@Destroye83 via X
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The Aichi “Jake” 11 Naval Reconnaissance Seaplane (Mitsubishi Kinsei 43 engine).
@Destroye83 via X
Aichi E13A1 “Jake” from the sea air base “Kimikawa-Maru”. Aleutians, June 1942.
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A Curtiss SC-1 Seahawk on the shore of Andrew Lagoon, Adak, Alaska.
Bureau of Aeronautics Photograph Collection, Adak, 1944-1945. ASL-PCA-545.
Date: August 11, 1945
Alaska State Library: ASL-P545-78
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Aichi M6A Seiran (晴嵐; “Clear Sky Storm”[1]) is a submarine-launched attack floatplane designed for the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. It was intended to operate from I-400 class submarines, whose original mission was to conduct aerial attacks against the United States.
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Kawanishi E15K Japanese Floatplane
The Kawanishi E15K Shiun, Allied reporting name “Norm”, was a Japanese single-engine reconnaissance floatplane developed during World War II. Designed by the Kawanishi Aircraft Company, it aimed to fulfill a 1939 Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) requirement for a high-speed reconnaissance aircraft capable of operating in areas dominated by enemy fighters.
The E15K Shiun was conceived to meet the 14-Shi specification, which outlined the need for a two-seat reconnaissance floatplane with sufficient performance to escape interception by land-based fighters and a range of 800 nautical miles. Kawanishi’s design featured a low-wing monoplane configuration with a single central float and two stabilizing floats under the wings. Notably, it incorporated Japan’s first use of contra-rotating propellers, driven by a Mitsubishi MK4D Kasei 14 14-cylinder radial engine. The aircraft also introduced a retractable wingtip float system, intended to be jettisoned during combat to increase speed.
The first prototype, designated E15K1, made its maiden flight on December 5, 1941. Subsequent prototypes were developed, leading to limited production in 1943. However, the aircraft faced several technical challenges, including issues with the retractable float mechanism and engine reliability. To address these, the design was modified to include fixed stabilizing floats and a more powerful Mitsubishi MK4S Kasei 24 engine.
A total of 15 E15K1 aircraft were built, comprising six prototypes and nine production models. The first operational units were assigned to the 12th Reconnaissance Squadron of the 61st Air Flotilla in April 1944. These aircraft were deployed to Palau Island in June 1944. Despite their advanced design, the E15K1s proved vulnerable in combat. The jettisonable float mechanism often malfunctioned, and the aircraft’s performance was insufficient against newer Allied fighters. On June 15, 1944, two E15K1s were shot down by Grumman F6F Hellcats while conducting reconnaissance over the Bonin Islands. Additional losses occurred during anti-submarine patrols, leading to the disbandment of the 12th Reconnaissance Squadron on August 12, 1944.
More photos here
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Three Vought OS2U Kingfishers landing on water near Dutch Harbor, Unalaska Island, Aleutian Islands, Alaska.
Photographed by Thornton, H. Marion in the 1940s.
Alaska State Library: ASL-P338-0423
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For a long time, I’ve had a photo of a DHC-2 Beaver saved on my tumblr that I’ve wanted to redraw.
This isn’t too great of a take and I probably should have continued to hold off on it until my life was more…stable and could more comfortably take my time. But, oh well. Planes are fun to draw and Seaplanes are fun to draw.
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