Aichi H9A
The Aichi H9A was an Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service flying boat used during the first years of World War II for crew training, receiving the designation "Type 2 Training Flying Boat". An uncommon type, it was not encountered by Allied forces until Spring 1945 and was never assigned an Allied reporting name.
Design and development
The H9A was a twin-engined, parasol-wing flying boat, designated by Aichi as their AM-21 design, and it was designed in response to an Imperial Japanese Navy requirement for an advanced seaplane trainer for future crew members of the four-engined Kawanishi H8K "Emily" flying boat. Design work started in January 1940, and the first of three prototypes was flown in September 1940. The aircraft had a normal crew of five, but seating was provided for an additional three pupil crew members.Operational history
From May – June 1942, the Aichi H9A was employed in a variety of second-line roles, including anti-submarine missions along the Japanese coasts, transport, paratroop training, and liaison.Variants
;H9A Prototypes: 3 aircraft built by Aichi.;H9A1: Serial version, 24 aircraft built by Aichi and an additional 4 by Nippon Hikoki.