Aichi E16A1 Zuiun Late 1:72 Hobby 2000 72087

Plastic model aircraft kit: Aichi E16A1 Zuiun Late 1:72 Hobby 2000 72087

The Aichi E16A Zuiun (Jap. Auspicious Cloud) was a Japanese reconnaissance seaplane from World War II, designed as a successor to the aging Aichi E13A model. Design work began in October 1940, and the first prototype took to the air in May 1942. Due to stability issues and structural vibrations, the process of introducing it into mass production was delayed by over a year. Finally, the Imperial Japanese Navy placed an order in August 1943.

The E16A1 version was the main production variant, characterized by solid machine gun armament and the ability to carry bombs, which allowed the machine to be used also as a dive bomber. These aircraft took part in combat in the final phase of the war, operating under conditions of significant air superiority of the Allied air forces. Many examples that survived the 1944 campaigns were ultimately used for suicide missions during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945.

• Length: 10.83 m
• Wingspan: 12.81 m
• Height: 4.79 m
• Maximum speed: 439 km/h
• Maximum range: 2420 km
• Armament: 2 Type 99 20 mm cannons, 1 flexible Type 97 7.7 mm machine gun, and up to 250 kg of bombs

• Scale: 1:72
• Manufacturer: Hobby 2000
• Product code: 72087
• Available paint schemes:
• 302 Hikotai 302-164 - April 1945, Genkai
• 634 Kokutai 634-16 - 1945
• 801 Kokutai 801-120 - 1945, Genkai
• US Navy (captured specimen) - 1945, NAS Patuxent River

Kit for self-assembly and painting. Does not include paints or glue. Assembly requires separately sold modeling tools (including nippers, files, tweezers), paints, brushes, and plastic model glue (e.g., Tamiya Extra Thin Cement). The photo shows a professionally assembled and painted model.