| Hiro H2H | |
|---|---|
 H2H1 on a launching trolly. | |
| General information | |
| Type | Patrol Flying boat |
| National origin | Japan |
| Manufacturer | Hiro Naval Arsenal |
| Primary user | Imperial Japanese Navy |
| Number built | 17 |
| History | |
| Introduction date | 1932 |
| First flight | 1930 |
| Developed from | Supermarine Southampton |
TheHiro H2H, or "Navy Type 89 Flying boat" (Japanese:"八九式飛行艇"), was a Japanese patrolflying boat of the 1930s. Designed and built by theHiro Naval Arsenal, it was a twin-enginedbiplane that was operated by theImperial Japanese Navy.
In 1929, the Imperial Japanese Navy purchased a single example of theBritishSupermarine Southampton II metal-hulled flying boat,[1] and, after evaluation, it was passed onto theHiro Naval Arsenal (who designed the woodenHiro H1H flying boat based on theFelixstowe F.5) to study its advanced metal hull structure. Following this study, Hiro designed a new flying boat, closely resembling the Southampton.[2]
The new aircraft was a twin-engined biplane, with an all-metal hull and fabric covered metal wing and tail structures. It was powered by twoHiro Type 14 water-cooled 12-cylindersW engines. The first prototype was completed in 1930 and, following successful testing, was ordered into production - with thirteen aircraft being built by Hiro and a further four byAichi. Later aircraft were powered by more powerful (600-750 hp (448-560 kW))Hiro Type 90 engines.[3]
It entered service in 1932 as the Type 89 Flying boat with theshort designation H2H1. Type 89 Flying Boats entered service in time for theShanghai Incident and, along with Hiro's earlierH1H, served in front-line service until the early years of theSecond Sino-Japanese War.[4]
Data from Japanese Aircraft 1910-1941[4]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists