| Andres Erdos, e-mail, 25.08.2012 04:58 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.
First appearing in 1931 the H4H1 was a twin-engined high-wing monoplane flying-boat. Powered by two 500hp (597kW) 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 800hp (597kW) Myojo radial engine. 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.
General characteristics
Length: 54 ft 4¼ in (16.57 m)
Wingspan: 76 ft 11½ in (23.46 m)
Height: 20 ft 5 in (6.22 m)
Wing area: 890.20 ft2 (82.70 m2)
Empty weight: 10280 lb (4663 kg)
Gross weight: 16534 lb (7500 kg)
Powerplant: 2 × Myojo radial piston engine, 800 hp (597 kW) each
Performance
Maximum speed: 145 mph (233 km /h)
Range: 793 miles (1260 km)
Service ceiling: 11880 ft (3620 m)
Armament
1 × 7.7mm (0.303in) Machine Gun (mounted over bow cockpit)
2 × 7.7mm (0.303in) Machine Guns (mounted over midship cockpit)
2 × 250kg (551lb) bombs
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