Aircraft Photo of T-31 | Kawanishi H8K2 Type 2 | Japan - Navy | AirHistory.net #855218
Aircraft
Registration / Serial:T-31
Aircraft Original Type:Kawanishi H8K2
Aircraft Generic Type:Kawanishi H8K2
Aircraft Version:Kawanishi H8K2 Type 2
C/n (msn):426
Operator Titles:Japan - Navy
Local Operator Name:海上自衛隊
Unit Markings:Takuma Kōkūtai
Location
City / Airport:KanoyaMap
Country:Japan
Airport Codes:ICAO: RJFY   IATA: -   Local: -   Other: -
Collection:JMSDF Naval Aviation Museum
 
Photo Date:18 October 2009
Photo by:Arjun Sarup
Photo ID: 855218
Photo Comment

Only extant Emily of 167 built on display at JMSDF Kanoya. This H8K2 from 801 Ku wears the Takuma Ku 'T' code and Kikusui emblem. The definitive H8K2 Type 2 Model 12, of which 112 were built was powered by 1,850 hp MK4Q Kasei 22 engines. Prior to the Doolittle Raid, two H8K1s flew a 4,800-mile round trip from Marshall Is. with a refuelling stop by submarines at French Frigate Shoals to bomb Oahu unsuccessfully. IJN's largest LRMR aircraft equipped nine frontline units. USN post-war evaluation determined the fast and heavily armed H8K2 to be the most outstanding large flying boat of WW2.

This photo is copyright © Arjun Sarup, and may not be used or published in any way without permission.

It was added on 13 October 2025, and has since been viewed 100 times.


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