Hiro H4H explained
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.
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.
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 engines. A total of 47 of both versions was produced.
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.Operators
References
Bibliography
- Book: Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.
