H6K4

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Rank VI | Premium | Golden Eagles
Chinese A-5C Pack
H6K4
h6k4.png
H6K4
Research:5 900 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:6 300 Specs-Card-Lion.png
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Description

GarageImage H6K4.jpg


The H6K4 is a rank I Japanese bomber with a battle rating of 2.0 (AB), 1.7 (RB), and 2.3 (SB). It has been in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.27.

General info

Flight performance

Max speed
at 4 100 m325 km/h
Turn time22 s
Max altitude9 560 m
Engine4 х Mitsubishi Kinsei 43
TypeRadial
Cooling systemAir
Take-off weight23 t

The H6K4 has decidedly bad flight performance given its large size. The aircraft has an abysmal top speed, meaning that it can be outrun by most biplanes at its battle rating. As well, the aircraft has lacklustre acceleration, and an almost-nonexistent climb rate. The aircraft's manoeuvrability is just as bad, given its massive size - turning and rolling are all rather difficult manoeuvres to perform. The aircraft can feel extremely sluggish (basically a brick with wings) when performing manoeuvres, even more so than conventional heavy bombers. The aircraft's camera angle in AB/RB is also extremely weird, as it looks downwards onto the aircraft. On the plus side, the aircraft has a slow stall speed, to permit its use as a hydroplane.

Characteristics Max Speed
(km/h at 4,100 m)
Max altitude
(metres)
Turn time
(seconds)
Rate of climb
(metres/second)
Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 311 303 9560 23.3 24.0 5.3 5.3 396
Upgraded 341 325 22.0 22.6 8.9 6.9

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 + -
0 450 520 520 320 ~3 ~2
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< 240 < 240 < 240 > 341
Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude 100% Engine power WEP Engine power
1,500 m 1,050 hp 1,123 hp

Survivability and armour

Crew9 people
Speed of destruction
Structural0 km/h
Gear450 km/h
  • No armour protection
  • Non-self-sealing fuel tanks (8 in the mid-fuselage, 6 in each wing)

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB353 → 446 Sl icon.png
RB492 → 622 Sl icon.png
SB874 → 1 106 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications5 920 Rp icon.png
4 480 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost410 Ge icon.png
Crew training1 800 Sl icon.png
Experts6 300 Sl icon.png
Aces80 Ge icon.png
Research Aces135 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
30 / 60 / 110 % Sl icon.png
106 / 106 / 106 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods aerodinamic fuse.png
Fuselage repair
Research:
300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
230 Sl icon.png
65 Ge icon.png
Mods radiator.png
Radiator
Research:
300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
230 Sl icon.png
65 Ge icon.png
Mods compressor.png
Compressor
Research:
330 Rp icon.png
Cost:
250 Sl icon.png
70 Ge icon.png
Mods aerodinamic wing.png
Wings repair
Research:
370 Rp icon.png
Cost:
280 Sl icon.png
80 Ge icon.png
Mods new engine.png
Engine
Research:
370 Rp icon.png
Cost:
280 Sl icon.png
80 Ge icon.png
Mods metanol.png
Engine injection
Research:
480 Rp icon.png
Cost:
360 Sl icon.png
105 Ge icon.png
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Research:
330 Rp icon.png
Cost:
250 Sl icon.png
70 Ge icon.png
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Research:
480 Rp icon.png
Cost:
360 Sl icon.png
105 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
type92_turret_belt_pack
Research:
300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
230 Sl icon.png
65 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
12 in (mod30)
Research:
300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
230 Sl icon.png
65 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods turret gun.png
type92_turret_new_gun
Research:
330 Rp icon.png
Cost:
250 Sl icon.png
70 Ge icon.png
Mods pilon torpedo.png
17 3/4 in (mod45)
Research:
330 Rp icon.png
Cost:
250 Sl icon.png
70 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods ammo.png
type99_turret_belt_pack
Research:
370 Rp icon.png
Cost:
280 Sl icon.png
80 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods pilon torpedo.png
Improved torpedo
Research:
370 Rp icon.png
Cost:
280 Sl icon.png
80 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods turret gun.png
type99_turret_new_gun
Research:
480 Rp icon.png
Cost:
360 Sl icon.png
105 Ge icon.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
14 in (mod35)
Research:
480 Rp icon.png
Cost:
360 Sl icon.png
105 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Suspended armament

List of setups (8)
Setup 112 x 60 kg Navy Type 97 Number 6 ground bomb
Setup 22 x 250 kg Navy Type Number 25 Model 2 bomb
Setup 32 x 250 kg Navy Type 98 Number 25 bomb
Setup 42 x 500 kg Navy Type Number 50 Model 2 bomb
Setup 52 x 800 kg Number 80 Mod. 1 bomb
Setup 62 x 800 kg Navy Type 99 Number 80 AP bomb
Setup 72 x Type 91 Model 2 torpedo (835 kg)
Setup 82 x Type 91 Model 3 torpedo (850 kg)

The H6K4 can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

  • 12 x 60 kg Navy Type 97 Number 6 bombs (720 kg total)
  • 2 x 250 kg Navy Type Number 25 Model 2 bombs (500 kg total)
  • 2 x 250 kg Navy Type 98 Number 25 bombs (500 kg total)
  • 2 x 500 kg Navy Type Number 50 Model 2 bombs (1,000 kg total)
  • 2 x 800 kg Navy Type Number 80 Model 1 bombs (1,600 kg total)
  • 2 x 800 kg Navy Type 99 Number 80 AP bombs (1,600 kg total)
  • 2 x 835 kg Type 91 Model 2 torpedoes
  • 2 x 850 kg Type 91 Model 3 torpedoes

Defensive armament

Turret20 mm Type 99 Model 1 cannon
Ammunition432 rounds
Fire rate517 shots/min
4 х Turret7.7 mm Type 92 machine gun
Ammunition582 rounds
Fire rate600 shots/min

The H6K4 is defended by:

  • 1 x 20 mm Type 99 Model 1 cannon, tail turret (432 rpg)
  • 1 x 7.7 mm Type 92 machine gun, nose turret (582 rpg)
  • 1 x 7.7 mm Type 92 machine gun, 2 x beam turrets (582 rpg)
  • 1 x 7.7 mm Type 92 machine gun, dorsal turret (582 rpg)

Usage in battles

The H6K4 is an interesting aircraft to fly in air battles, given its massive size, decent defensive armament and ordnance load. The aircraft can be used as a conventional bomber in Air battles, delivering its large payload on bases. It can also be used in naval battles, with its large load of two torpedoes and the ability to cap bases. However, no matter what way you play this aircraft, be aware that it is huge. The large size of the aircraft makes it an attractive target for fighters, SPAAs and naval AA guns alike.

The first possible playstyle for the H6K4 is that of a conventional bomber - the aircraft's large payload of 1,600 kg (2 x 800 kgs) allows it to destroy bases with ease. However, there are several limitations to this approach that should be considered. Firstly, the aircraft lacks landing gear (because it is a hydroplane), meaning that it is unable to land on conventional airfields. You can still try, but take care to land the aircraft slowly to avoid the risk of crashing. As well, the aircraft only carries two bombs max - this limits the number of bases, or targets, that you can hit. Depending on circumstance, a single bomb may not be enough to destroy a base - in that case, you will need to expend both bombs on a single base.

The second option for this aircraft would be in naval battles. The aircraft's large armament and floatplane abilities allow it to be used as a base-capper. The aircraft carries a pair of Type 91 torpedoes (Model 2 or 3) which are highly effective against any target up to destroyer-size. However, these torpedoes will be hard to aim against small targets such as MTBs, as smaller vessels are typically very manoeuvrable. Note that you may want to attack from afar when flying this aircraft - the aircraft is unarmoured, and any hits from ship-based AA guns may set your large plane on fire.

If being pursued by enemy fighters, the H6K4's massive size and slow speed will prevent it from running away effectively. Thus, your only hope would be the H6K4's defensive armament - this is one sector where the H6K4 excels. Being a Japanese bomber, the H6K is very well armed for its BR and carries a total of five guns. There are four single 7.7 mm machine guns, and a 20 mm cannon in the tail position. However, note that the H6K4 doesn't have any defensive positions underneath the fuselage - after all, it is a hydroplane. This means that you are completely vulnerable from underneath. To remedy this, attempt to bait pursuing aircraft above you or behind - this way, they can be hit by the highly-effective 20 mm cannon defending the rear.

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 Not controllable
1 gear
Not controllable

Modules

Tier Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
I Fuselage repair Radiator Turret 7 mm 12 in (mod30)
II Compressor Airframe New 7 mm MGs (turret) 17 3/4 in (mod45)
III Wings repair Engine Turret 20 mm Improved torpedo
IV Engine injection Cover New 20 mm cannons (turret) 14 in (mod35)

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Can carry different payloads for different targets, including torpedoes
  • Can land on water, thus you can capture zones with it in naval battles
  • Able to carry two 800 kg HE bombs is an effective payload capacity for its battle rating
  • Decent defensive armament for the rank

Cons:

  • Very slow aircraft that cannot outrun any other plane really
  • Defensive armaments has dead-zones which can make it difficult to engage incoming aircraft
  • Slow fire rate on the turrets, Type 92 machine guns fire at 600 RPM
  • The steering of the aircraft and its overall flight characteristics is somewhat slow and clunky
  • Awkward default camera angle

History

In-game description

A quad-engined all-metal parasol-wing monoplane flying boat. An experimental version, the Type S, made its first flight on July 14, 1936. The plane was approved by the Imperial Japanese Navy as Type 97 Large Flying Boat in 1937. Mass production began in 1938.

The most common variant was model 22 (H6K4), created in 1940. The first 119 planes were fitted with a air-cooled 14-cylinder twin-row radial Mitsubishi Kinsei 43 engine (1000 hp). Afterwards, the slightly more powerful Kinsei 46 was used. The H6K4 carried more fuel than earlier models, increasing its maximum range to 25 hours, or 6000 kilometers. Its fuselage included waist blisters fitted with machine guns, which required a slightly longer tail section.

The H6K4 was armed with four 7.7mm Type 97 (Lewis) machine guns with 582 rounds apiece and, in the tail turret, one 20mm Type 99-I cannon with 432 rounds. The flying boat could carry twelve 60-kg bombs, four 250-kg bombs, or two 800-kg Type 91 Model 1 torpedoes.

A major weakness of all H6K flying boats was the lack of protective armor for the crew and for the fuel tanks. This was sacrificed for the sake of its extended flight range. When the plane started to suffer losses in combat, designers of later Model 22 planes began to focus on protecting the crew.

The H6K flying boat's first combat action was a raid on Wake Island on December 11, 1941. The plane was widely used in the Pacific theater during the first part of the war. The H6K ran long-range reconnaissance missions, convoy escort duty, submarine searches, bombing missions, and search and rescue operations. When the newer H8K arrived, the H6K began to be used mostly as a transport plane. The plane was in operation until the Japanese surrender in 1945.

127 H6K4s were built, out of a total of 217 H6Ks.

Media

Skins
Videos

See also

Related development
Aircraft of a similar role, configuration or era

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