Hiro H4H
The Hiro H4H (or Hiro Navy Type 91 Flying Boat) was a 1930s Japanese bomber or reconnaissance monoplane flying boat designed and built by the Hiro Naval Arsenal for the Imperial Japanese Navy.
| H4H | |
|---|---|
| Role | Patrol flying boat |
| National origin | Japan |
| Manufacturer | Hiro Naval Arsenal |
| First flight | 1931 |
| Introduction | 1933 |
| Primary user | IJN Air Service |
| Number built | 47 |
Design and development
First appearing in 1931 the H4H1 was a twin-engined high-wing monoplane flying-boat. Powered by two 500 hp (597 kW) Hiro 91-1 engines strut-mounted above the wing it was produced by the Kawanishi company and entered service in 1933.[1]
An improved version of the design, the H4H2, followed into production two years later. The H4H2 has re-designed twin fins and rudders and was powered by two 800 hp (597 kW) Myojo radial engine. A total of 47 of both versions was produced.[1]
Both the H4H1 and H4H2 remained in front-line naval service through the 1930s.
Variants
- H4H1 (Hiro Navy Type 91 Model 1 Flying Boat)
- Variant powered by two 500hp (597kW) Hiro 91-1 engines.
- H4H2 (Hiro Navy Type 91 Model 2 Flying Boat)
- Variant powered by two 800hp (597kW) Myojo radial engines.
Specifications (H4H2)
Data from [1]
General characteristics
- Length: 54 ft 4.25 in (16.57 m)
- Wingspan: 76 ft 11.5 in (23.46 m)
- Height: 20 ft 5 in (6.22 m)
- Wing area: 890.20 sq ft (82.70 m2)
- Empty weight: 10,280 lb (4,663 kg)
- Gross weight: 16,534 lb (7,500 kg)
- Powerplant: 2 × Myojo radial piston engine , 800 hp (597 kW) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 145 mph (233 km/h, 126 kn)
- Range: 793 mi (1,260 km, 689 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 11,880 ft (3,620 m)
Armament
- 1 × 7.7mm (0.303in) Machine Gun (mounted over bow cockpit)
- 2 × 7.7mm (0.303in) Machine Guns (mounted over midship cockpit)
- 2 × 250kg (551lb) bombs
References
Notes
- Orbis 1985, p 2173
Bibliography
- Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.