The Aichi E13A was a long-range reconnaissance seaplane used by the Imperial Japanese Navy from 1941 to 1945.
Numerically the most important floatplane of the IJN, it could carry a crew of three and a bomb load of 250 kg (550 lb).
The Navy designation was “Navy Type Zero Reconnaissance Seaplane” .
In China, it operated from seaplane tenders and cruisers.
Later, it was used as a scout for the Attack on Pearl Harbor, and was encountered in combat by the United States Navy during the Battles of Coral Sea and Midway.
It was in service throughout the conflict, for coastal patrols, strikes against navigation, liaison, officer transports, castaway rescues, and other missions, along with some kamikaze missions in the last days of war.
One Aichi E13A was operated by Nazi Germany alongside two Arado Ar 196s out of the base at Penang.
The three aircraft formed the East Asia Naval Special Service to assist the German Monsun Gruppe as well as local Japanese naval operations.
Eight examples were operated by the French Navy Air Force during the First Indochina War from 1945-1947, while others were believed to be operated by the Naval Air Arm of the Royal Thai Navy before the war.
