H8K2

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Rank VI | Premium | Golden Eagles
Chinese A-5C Pack
This page is about the Japanese bomber H8K2. For the premium H8K plane, see H8K3.
h8k2.png
GarageImage H8K2.jpg
H8K2
Research:9 200 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:16 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The H8K2 is a rank II Japanese bomber with a battle rating of 3.3 (AB) and 3.7 (RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.57 "Battle March".

General info

Flight performance

Max speed
at 6 000 m476 km/h
Turn time33 s
Max altitude9 500 m
Engine4 х Mitsubishi Kasei 22
TypeRadial
Cooling systemAir
Take-off weight33 t
Characteristics Max Speed
(km/h at 6,000 m)
Max altitude
(metres)
Turn time
(seconds)
Rate of climb
(metres/second)
Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 454 445 9500 33.9 34.8 3.5 3.5 750
Upgraded 500 476 32.1 33.0 10.5 6.5

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear
X X
Limits
Wings (km/h) Gear (km/h) Flaps (km/h) Max Static G
Combat Take-off Landing + -
0 450 420 420 260 ~4 ~3
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< 360 < 360 < 360 > 341

Survivability and armour

Crew9 people
Speed of destruction
Structural0 km/h
Gear450 km/h
  • 20mm steel plates protecting rear gunner
  • 5mm steel behind pilots
  • 5mm steel protecting dorsal gunner
  • Self-sealing fuel tanks (6 in the mid-fuselage, 1 in each wingroot, 3 in each wing)

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB648 → 820 Sl icon.png
RB1 113 → 1 409 Sl icon.png
SB2 062 → 2 610 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications8 390 Rp icon.png
9 460 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost640 Ge icon.png
Crew training4 500 Sl icon.png
Experts16 000 Sl icon.png
Aces180 Ge icon.png
Research Aces190 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
40 / 80 / 140 % Sl icon.png
118 / 118 / 118 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods aerodinamic fuse.png
Fuselage repair
Research:
420 Rp icon.png
Cost:
470 Sl icon.png
75 Ge icon.png
Mods radiator.png
Radiator
Research:
420 Rp icon.png
Cost:
470 Sl icon.png
75 Ge icon.png
Mods compressor.png
Compressor
Research:
630 Rp icon.png
Cost:
710 Sl icon.png
110 Ge icon.png
Mods aerodinamic wing.png
Wings repair
Research:
700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
790 Sl icon.png
125 Ge icon.png
Mods new engine.png
Engine
Research:
700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
790 Sl icon.png
125 Ge icon.png
Mods metanol.png
Engine injection
Research:
680 Rp icon.png
Cost:
770 Sl icon.png
120 Ge icon.png
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Research:
630 Rp icon.png
Cost:
710 Sl icon.png
110 Ge icon.png
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Research:
680 Rp icon.png
Cost:
770 Sl icon.png
120 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
type92_turret_belt_pack
Research:
420 Rp icon.png
Cost:
470 Sl icon.png
75 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
12 in (mod30)
Research:
420 Rp icon.png
Cost:
470 Sl icon.png
75 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 2.png
Mods turret gun.png
type92_turret_new_gun
Research:
630 Rp icon.png
Cost:
710 Sl icon.png
110 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
type99_turret_belt_pack
Research:
700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
790 Sl icon.png
125 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods turret gun.png
type99_turret_new_gun
Research:
680 Rp icon.png
Cost:
770 Sl icon.png
120 Ge icon.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
14 in (mod35)
Research:
680 Rp icon.png
Cost:
770 Sl icon.png
120 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Suspended armament

List of setups (5)
Setup 12 x Type 91 Model 2 torpedo (835 kg)
Setup 216 x 60 kg Navy Type 97 Number 6 ground bomb
Setup 38 x 250 kg Navy Type 98 Number 25 bomb
Setup 42 x 800 kg Navy Type 99 Number 80 AP bomb
Setup 52 x 800 kg Number 80 Mod. 1 bomb

The H8K2 can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

  • 2 x 835 kg Type 91 Model 2 torpedoes
  • 16 x 60 kg Navy Type 97 Number 6 bombs (960 kg total)
  • 8 x 250 kg Navy Type 98 Number 25 bombs (2,000 kg total)
  • 2 x 800 kg Navy Type 99 Number 80 AP bombs (1,600 kg total)
  • 2 x 800 kg Navy Type Number 80 Model 1 bombs (1,600 kg total)

Defensive armament

3 х Turret20 mm Type 99 Model 1 cannon
Ammunition270 rounds
Fire rate517 shots/min
Turret20 mm Type 99 Model 1 cannon
Ammunition450 rounds
Fire rate517 shots/min
Turret20 mm Type 99 Model 1 cannon
Ammunition540 rounds
Fire rate517 shots/min
5 х Turret7.7 mm Type 92 machine gun
Ammunition582 rounds
Fire rate600 shots/min

The H8K2 is defended by:

  • 1 x 20 mm Type 99 Model 1 cannon, nose turret (270 rpg)
  • 1 x 20 mm Type 99 Model 1 cannon, dorsal turret (270 rpg)
  • 1 x 20 mm Type 99 Model 1 cannon, 2 x beam turrets (270 rpg)
  • 1 x 20 mm Type 99 Model 1 cannon, tail turret (270 rpg)
  • 1 x 7.7 mm Type 92 machine gun, 2 x cockpit turrets (582 rpg)
  • 1 x 7.7 mm Type 92 machine gun, 2 x wing root turrets (582 rpg)
  • 1 x 7.7 mm Type 92 machine gun, ventral turret (582 rpg)

Usage in battles

The H8K2 can be thought of as a Japanese version of the German BV 238, and plays similarly. However, there are some key differences between the two aircraft. The H8K2 can be used in both Naval battles, and Air battles, though there are some key limitations. The aircraft has a strong defensive armament suite of ten guns (five 20 mm cannons and five 7.7 mm machine guns), and can also carry a pair of torpedoes. However, it is a very large aircraft, and is easily shot down by enemy anti-aircraft fire. In general, the aircraft should avoid close-in, frontline combat, and instead be used as a heavy bomber/support aircraft.

The first playstyle for this aircraft would be a heavy bomber in RB. The aircraft benefits from airspawn, meaning that it is much less vulnerable from interception. However, there is one key limitation to this role - the H8K2's tiny payload. The aircraft can only carry a maximum of 1,600 kilograms of bombs, in two 800 kg bombs. This effectively limits the aircraft to destroying a single base, which doesn't yield great bonuses. The 800 kg bombs are also ineffective against ground targets, as they drop together. This means that the only viable option against ground targets are the 60 kg bombs. However, these are also rather ineffective due to their tiny size and low explosive mass.

The second, and more interesting playstyle would be in Naval RB. The aircraft is a floatplane, meaning that it can be used to cap bases. As well, the aircraft can carry two torpedoes, which are very effective against larger vessels. Thus, the aircraft could be used as a torpedo-bomber, staying low and attacking enemies with torpedoes from a distance. However, do not approach to close to enemy naval vessels, as the H8K is massive and an easy target for enemy AAA.

When being attacked, one excellent option is the H8K's defensive armament. The 20 mm Type 99 Model 1 cannons are essentially upgraded MG FF cannons, and can do extensive damage to attacking fighters. However, take note that the aircraft has very limited protection from the underside, similar to other flying boats. Try to bait attacking fighters to your six (and slightly to the right or left), so that you can engage them with the tail, dorsal and beam turrets.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer Pitch Radiator Supercharger Turbocharger
Oil Water Type
Not controllable Controllable
Not auto controlled
Controllable
Not auto controlled
Controllable
Not auto controlled
Separate Controllable
2 gears
Not controllable

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Excellent speed for the rank
  • Good armament spread and damage (when they hit), including limited coverage under the plane
  • Favourable matchmaking; always on Axis team
  • Incredible climb rate
  • (RB) Long Range Bomber spawn, putting it at usually around 4,500m on spawn
  • Well armoured even for a non-Japanese bomber, with armoured pilot, gunners and self-sealing tanks
  • Excellent RP and SL mods for rank 1, especially as bombs are incredibly cheap

Cons:

  • Awful bomb load; 780kg TNT equivalent with largest load, with both wing bombs dropping together
  • Guns are unreliable; cannons are the weak 20 mm Type 99 mod.1's, machine guns are single 7.7 mms, long reload on the cannons
  • Landing is risky due to lack of land-suitable gear; the H8K must land on its hull
  • Huge target

History

Widely recognized as the best maritime combat aircraft of WWII, the H8K2 was the main production model of the H8K series of bombers, making up 112 of the 167 total H8Ks of all variants. In 1938, just as its predecessor, the H6K, was entering service, the Imperial Navy ordered the development of a larger aircraft with longer range suited for solo bombing and patrol missions. The resulting H8K flying boats, entering service in February 1942, performed well until the end of the war, and were respected by allied pilots for their fearsome defensive armament. After the war, an H8K2 (one of only four which survived the war) was captured by American forces, and was eventually returned to Japan in 1979, where it remains on display to this day.

Media

Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

  • reference to the series of the aircraft;
  • links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

  • topic on the official game forum;
  • encyclopedia page on the aircraft;
  • other literature.


Kawanishi Aircraft Company (川西航空機)
Fighters  J6K1
N1K  N1K1-Ja · N1K2-J · N1K2-Ja
Bombers  H6K4 · H8K2 · H8K3
Hydroplane  N1K1 · E7K2

Japan bombers
Navy 
Carrier-based attack bomber 
B5N  B5N2
B6N  B6N1 · B6N2 · B6N2a
B7A  B7A2 · B7A2 (Homare 23)
Carrier-based dive bomber 
D3A  D3A1
D4Y  D4Y1 · D4Y2 · D4Y3 Ko
Shipboard Observation seaplane 
F1M  F1M2
Land-based Attack bomber 
G4M  G4M1
G5N  G5N1
G8N  G8N1
Flying boat 
H6K  H6K4
H8K  H8K2 · H8K3
Land-based Bomber 
P1Y  P1Y1
Army 
Light  Ki-32
  Ki-48-II otsu
Heavy  Ki-21-Ia · Ki-21-I hei
  Ki-49-I · Ki-49-IIa · Ki-49-IIb · Ki-49-IIb/L
  Ki-67-I Ko · Ki-67-I otsu
Other countries  ▅B-17E