World War II Database

The M6A Seiran submarine-launched torpedo seaplanes were designed in response for a 1942 requirement for aircraft to be used in conjunction with the I-400-class submarine carriers of the Japanese Navy. They were of an all-metal construction, with control surfaces covered in fabric. The design was done so that two or three of them could be stowed aboard their submarine carriers, used to attack targets in surprise. Despite the complex folding system with their tails and wings, a seasoned crew could prepare all three aircraft for launch within 30 minutes. Because the submarines would have no means to recover these seaplanes after a mission is carried out, the thought was that the submarine carriers would rescue the air crews and abandon the aircraft. After six prototype aircraft, 20 aircraft of the M6A1 production variant were built. Two land-based prototype units designated M6A1-K Nanzan and one M6A2 prototype were also built. Of all variants including prototype aircraft, 28 were built between Oct 1943 and Jul 1945. In Jul 1945, two I-400-class submarines each carrying three M6A1 Seiran aircraft and two modified AM-class submarines each carrying two M6A1 Seiran aircraft were sent on an attack on the American anchorage of Ulithi in the Caroline Islands, but the Japanese surrender was announced before the task force reached their target, and the mission was aborted. Thus, none of the M6A Seiran aircraft were ever used in combat.

SPECIFICATIONS

M6A1

Machinery	One Aichi Atsuta Type 32 inverted V-12 liquid-cooled engine rated at 1,400hp
Armament	1x12.7mm Type 2 machine gun, 1x torpedo or 800kg of bombs
Crew	2
Span	9.99 m
Length	9.99 m
Height	4.58 m
Wing Area	27.00 m²
Weight, Empty	3,362 kg
Weight, Loaded	4,250 kg
Weight, Maximum	4,445 kg
Speed, Maximum	474 km/h
Service Ceiling	9,900 m
Range, Normal	2,000 km

Photographs

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