Yokosuka E14Y

E14Y
Role Submarine-based reconnaissance seaplane
National origin Japan
Manufacturer Yokosuka Naval Air Technical Arsenal
First flight 1939
Introduction 1941
Retired 1943
Primary user Imperial Japanese Navy
Number built 126


The Yokosuka E14Y (Allied reporting name Glen) was an Imperial Japanese Navy reconnaissance seaplane transported aboard and launched from Japanese submarine aircraft carriers such as the I-25 during World War II. The Japanese Navy designation was "Type 0 Small Reconnaissance Seaplane" (零式小型水上偵察機).

Operational history

Nobuo Fujita, the only Axis pilot to drop bombs on the USA mainland during World War II, and his E14Y

The "Glen" was used for several Japanese reconnaissance missions during the Pacific War.

The "Glen" is the only Japanese aircraft to overfly New Zealand during World War II (and only the second enemy aircraft after the German Friedrichshafen FF.33 'Wölfchen' during World War I). On 8 March 1942 Warrant Officer Nobuo Fujita photographed the Allied build up in Wellington harbour in a "Glen" launched from the Japanese submarine I-25. On 13 March he flew over Auckland, before the I-25 proceeded to Australia. On the night of 24/25 May Warrant Officer Susumo Ito flew a "Glen" over Auckland from the Japanese submarine I-21. Type A1 submarine I-9 was caught off the New Zealand coast in early 1943; however, no Japanese aircraft was observed and any records of overflights were lost when the submarine was sunk.[1]

The "Glen" also has the distinction of being the only aircraft to drop bombs on the United States mainland during World War II, in an incident known as The Lookout Air Raid. On 9 September 1942 , Chief Warrant Officer Nobuo Fujita, a pilot in the Japanese Imperial Navy, and his crewman, Petty Officer Shoji Okuda, surfaced in submarine I-25 off the coast of Oregon near Brookings. His tiny seaplane had folding wings and was transported in a small hangar attached to the deck of the submarine. The bombs - 76 kg (168 lb) incendiaries intended to cause forest fires - caused no injuries or real damage.

Prototype Yokosuka E14Y in flight (note different rudder)

A total of 126[2][3] planes were produced.

Surviving Glens discovered at Kwajalein

Aviation History magazine reported in the November 2008 issue[2] that divers had found airplane parts in the Akibasan Maru wreck, a Japanese cargo ship sunk in the Kwajalein Atoll on 20 January 1944, and rediscovered in 1965.[4] The parts (including wings and floats) have been finally identified (April 2008) as belonging to two E14Y1 "Glen" floatplanes, through the use of photographs from the wreck and comparisons with original technical drawings and a captured technical manual.[2]

Specifications (E14Y)

Two E14Y's in flight

Data from Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War[3]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
Related lists

References

Notes

  1. ↑ Chris Rudge (2003), Air to Air the story behind the air combat claims of the RNZAF, Adventure Air
  2. 1 2 3 "Surviving Glens Discovered at Kwajalein." Aviation History, November 2008.
  3. 1 2 Francillon 1979, p. 453.
  4. ↑ Farnham, dan. "The E14Y1 'Glen' wrecks of the Akibansan Maru". http://www.j-aircraft.com. Retrieved 15 April 2015. External link in |website= (help)

Bibliography

  • Francillon, Ph.D., René J. Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War. London: Putnam & Company Ltd., 1979. ISBN 0-370-30251-6.
  • Green, William. War Planes of the Second World War, Volume Six: Floatplanes. London: Macdonald & Co (Publishers) Ltd., 1962.
  • Ishiguro, Ryusuke and Tadeusz Januszewski. Kugisho E14Y "Glen". Sandomierz, Poland/Redbourn, UK: MMP Books, 2010. ISBN 978-8389450616.
  • Jackson, Robert. The Encyclopedia of Military Aircraft. Bath, UK: Parragon Books Ltd., 2006. ISBN 1-4054-2465-6.
  • Januszewski, Tadeusz. Japanese Submarine Aircraft. Sandomierz, Poland/Redbourn, UK: Mushroom Model Publications, 2002. ISBN 83-916327-2-5.
  • Thorpe, Donald W. Japanese Naval Air Force Camouflage and Markings World War II. Fallbrook, California: Aero Publishers Inc., 1977. ISBN 0-8168-6587-6.
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