What did you think about the Japanese H8K of World War Two? Were you aware of the aircraft prior to the video? Welcome back! If you are new here make sure to hit subscribe to expand your knowledge on Military History and join the growing Premier History Community!
Yes, AIR CLASSICS had a multi-issue article on the H8K1 and H8K2 EMILYs, many years ago. The article included recounting the details of the March 1942 attack on Pearl Harbor.
A very well designed aircraft with excellent performance and great looks. The H8K tested by the US was returned to Japan decades later and is on display there!
Wow! What an impressive aircraft! Sounds like a Flying Tank with no plans to stop for fuel! (4000+ mile range is quite impressive for the 1940's) Thank you for showing us another amazing machine that deserves more attention than it has yet to receive!
4:09 is Makin atoll taken by the 27th Infantry Division. Specifically, that plane was hit by .55 cal Boys anti tank rifles and 37 mm canister shot after 16 opposition forces decided to use it as a last holdout.
After World War II, the H8K (Type 2 Amphibian) was transported to the Norfolk Naval Base for various flight tests, and in comparison with the Consolidated PBY Catalina and PB2Y, the H8K (Type 2 Amphibian) was by far the more capable, leading the American commander to praise it as “Japan's victory over the world in amphibian technology. Today, the company has changed its name from Kawanishi Industries to Shinmeiwa Industries. The company manufactures the world's highest performance rescue amphibian, the US-2.
It was primarily a reconnaissance plane. You only need one to see something, compared to dozens or hundreds for a bombing raid. It was more complex and expensive than a B-24 and there was no need to make 20k of them. You're comparing apples to plywood.
No matter how well the design was those type of aircraft were sitting ducks against ennemy airplanes. The Japanese needed a good control of the sky in order to operate those aircraft... but it was no longer the case some 6 months after the beginning of the conflict. They were also too heavy and should have had a crew of 7 instead of 10 !
For their primary roles, recon & sub hunting, having "good control of the sky" would not matter. Recon missions in the pacific, usually would be outside the range of friendly fighters anyway. And enemy subs would rarely have air cover, or be within range of air support.
Large size to absorb damage, well armored, with 5 20mm cannons and 5 MGs, does not make a sitting duck. And unless it was flying right over or nearby a carrier there would not be any fighters in the area. When you are the only thing in the air over the middle of the ocean and you armed with a pistol, a slingshot, and some foul language, you are are not a sitting duck; you are the deadly eagle.
What did you think about the Japanese H8K of World War Two? Were you aware of the aircraft prior to the video?
Welcome back! If you are new here make sure to hit subscribe to expand your knowledge on Military History and join the growing Premier History Community!
Quite a flying boat!!!
Yes, AIR CLASSICS had a multi-issue article on the H8K1 and H8K2 EMILYs, many years ago. The article included recounting the details of the March 1942 attack on Pearl Harbor.
I miss the age of flying boats.
They were a sight to see that’s for sure
A very well designed aircraft with excellent performance and great looks. The H8K tested by the US was returned to Japan decades later and is on display there!
I built a model of this plane back i think in the mid 70"s, and the model was large it was in 72 Scale
First Time I hear of this efficient plane. Interesting vidéo. Thanks you.
Beautiful flying boat. Would have made a great passenger plane.
For sure, could see it going from stop to stop across the world
The H8K series resulted, postwar, in the US-1 and PS-1 Shin Meiwa flying boats.
Wow! What an impressive aircraft!
Sounds like a Flying Tank with no plans to stop for fuel!
(4000+ mile range is quite impressive for the 1940's)
Thank you for showing us another amazing machine that deserves more attention than it has yet to receive!
Thanks for the support Camo Guy! The range certainly was great for a plane of that size in that era.
4:09 is Makin atoll taken by the 27th Infantry Division. Specifically, that plane was hit by .55 cal Boys anti tank rifles and 37 mm canister shot after 16 opposition forces decided to use it as a last holdout.
Nice one, great info! Thought it was a very nicely taken picture too
Its size reminds me of the Pan Am flying boats, used prior to the 2nd World War.
After World War II, the H8K (Type 2 Amphibian) was transported to the Norfolk Naval Base for various flight tests, and in comparison with the Consolidated PBY Catalina and PB2Y, the H8K (Type 2 Amphibian) was by far the more capable, leading the American commander to praise it as “Japan's victory over the world in amphibian technology.
Today, the company has changed its name from Kawanishi Industries to Shinmeiwa Industries.
The company manufactures the world's highest performance rescue amphibian, the US-2.
167 made is a pittance compared to usa a/c production 20k B24 liberators.
It was primarily a reconnaissance plane. You only need one to see something, compared to dozens or hundreds for a bombing raid. It was more complex and expensive than a B-24 and there was no need to make 20k of them. You're comparing apples to plywood.
Lol I definitely heard that "like you" as a different four letter word that ends in a -k sound 😂 got my attention for sure!
Whoops! I promise it’s ’Like You’ 😂
Flying boats? Next time do a video on flying goats in the Monty Python Holy Grail movie. 🤪
Next weeks video sorted! Thanks Dave!
No matter how well the design was those type of aircraft were sitting ducks against ennemy airplanes.
The Japanese needed a good control of the sky in order to operate those aircraft... but it was no longer the case some 6 months after the beginning of the conflict.
They were also too heavy and should have had a crew of 7 instead of 10 !
Agreed! Midway was a big turning point and without control of the sky the H8K would always struggle
For their primary roles, recon & sub hunting, having "good control of the sky" would not matter. Recon missions in the pacific, usually would be outside the range of friendly fighters anyway. And enemy subs would rarely have air cover, or be within range of air support.
Large size to absorb damage, well armored, with 5 20mm cannons and 5 MGs, does not make a sitting duck.
And unless it was flying right over or nearby a carrier there would not be any fighters in the area. When you are the only thing in the air over the middle of the ocean and you armed with a pistol, a slingshot, and some foul language, you are are not a sitting duck; you are the deadly eagle.
Big
Huge!
It
am ashamed ro admit that l did not know of the H 8 k
It was a flying target