C6N Saiun file photo [15456]

C6N Saiun

CountryJapan
ManufacturerNakajima Aircraft Company
Primary RoleReconnaissance Aircraft
Maiden Flight15 May 1943

Contributor:

ww2dbaseThe C6N Saiun ("Colored Cloud") carrier reconnaissance aircraft were designed in response to Japanese Navy's 1942 request for a fast and long-range reconnaissance aircraft for carrier operations. The result aircraft took its maiden flight in 1943. They were slender for fuel-saving purposes and had design tweaks to occupy the least space possible when stowed aboard aircraft carriers; the prototypes' performance, however, was said to be disappointing to Japanese Navy leaders. Nevertheless, the first order was placed in Feb 1944, and the first production example was delivered in Sep 1944. Because the Japanese Navy's operational capabilities were limited by that time, most of the C6N Saiun aircraft were operated from airfields on land. As Japan's need for aircraft grew desperate toward the end of the war, many C6N aircraft were converted for combat uses, and their speed at times frustrated pursuing Allied fighters. The last Japanese aircraft destroyed prior to Emperor Showa's 14 Aug 1945 radio address was a C6N1 Saiun aircraft, shot down about five minutes before the announcement. Including the prototypes, 463 of them were built. The Allies gave the C6N Saiun design the codename of "Myrt".

ww2dbaseSource: Wikipedia

Last Major Revision: May 2012

C6N Saiun Timeline

15 May 1943 The C6N Saiun carrier reconnaissance aircraft took its first flight.
14 Aug 1945 The last Japanese aircraft destroyed prior to Emperor Showa's radio address was a C6N1 Saiun aircraft, shot down about five minutes before the announcement.

SPECIFICATIONS

C6N1
MachineryOne Nakajima NK9H Homare 21 18-cylinder air-cooled radial engine, rated at 1,990hp
Armament1x7.92mm rear Type 1 machine gun on flexible mount
Crew3
Span12.50 m
Length11.00 m
Height3.96 m
Wing Area25.50 m²
Weight, Empty2,968 kg
Weight, Loaded4,500 kg
Weight, Maximum5,260 kg
Speed, Maximum610 km/h
Speed, Cruising390 km/h
Service Ceiling10,470 m
Range, Maximum5,300 km

Photographs

Wrecked C6N-1 aircraft of Japanese Navy 121st Kokutai in a hangar, Ushi Point Airfield, Tinian, Mariana Islands, 30 Jul 1944. Note the Marine Corps Curtiss R5C-1 Commando in the background.C6N-1S Saiun nightfighter aircraft of Japanese Navy 302nd Naval Air Group at rest, Atsugi Airfield, Kanagawa, Japan, Jun 1945J1N1-S, G4M, C6N, and D4Y aircraft at Yokosuka Naval Air Depot, Japan, late 1945, photo 1 of 2J1N1-S, G4M, C6N, and D4Y aircraft at Yokosuka Naval Air Depot, Japan, late 1945, photo 2 of 2




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C6N Saiun Reconnaissance Aircraft Photo Gallery
Wrecked C6N-1 aircraft of Japanese Navy 121st Kokutai in a hangar, Ushi Point Airfield, Tinian, Mariana Islands, 30 Jul 1944. Note the Marine Corps Curtiss R5C-1 Commando in the background.
See all 4 photographs of C6N Saiun Reconnaissance Aircraft


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