Work on the Aichi E16A Zuiun (Japanese: auspicious cloud) reconnaissance seaplane project, which could replace the aging Aichi E13A, began at the Aichi plant in October 1940. The first of the three prototypes built was flown in May 1940. Problems with the stability of the airframe and the elimination of structural vibrations extended the work on the E16A by 15 months. The Japanese Navy did not order the serial production of the aircraft until August 1943. A total of 193 aircraft of the first version were built, designated Aichi E16A1. Production took place at the Aichi Kokuki KK plant in Eitoku and 59 at the Nipon Hikoki KK plant in Tomioka. They had to operate in conditions of increasing Allied superiority in the air, so units equipped with them suffered significant losses. Most of those that survived the fighting in 1944 were used for suicide attacks during the Okinawa fighting. In 1945 a prototype of the improved version of the aircraft, designated Aichi E16A2, was ready. It is powered by a Mitsubishi MK8P Kinsei 62 radial engine with a capacity of 1560 HP. Technical data: length: 10.83m, wingspan: 12.81m, height: 4.79m, maximum speed: 439km / h, rate of climb: 10m / s, maximum range: 2420km, maximum ceiling 10000m, armament: fixed - 2 cannon Type 99 Model 2 20mm caliber and 1 movable Type 97 7.7mm gun at the rear. The plane carried up to 250 kg of bombs under the fuselage.
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