Nipponki '46 - "Shiokaze" Sea Rescue Large Size Flying Boat

 "Shiokaze" Sea-Rescue Large Size Flying Boat

A flying boat designed to alight near merchant ships in danger to rescue the crew. From the rear door/ramp, rescue motor boats could be launched. ["Shiokaze" means "sea wind"]

 

DATA

Engine: air-cooled 4 X 2000hp

Performance

                     Max speed: 340km/h

                     Cruising speed: 290km/h

                     Range: 6800km

Crew: 16, passengers: 85

All-metal construction, rooms are soundproof and heated

 

1. cockpit

2. radio room

3. radar

4. front observation post

5. generator/dynamo and engine room

6. captain's room

7. crew rest station

8. rescue motor boats

9. door

10. passenger rest station

11. fuel tank

12. food & medicine store room

13. infirmary

14. rescue equipment store room

15. passenger rest station

 

The same design can be modified to become long distance bomber, patrol and passenger transport flying boat. Note the stabilizing sponsons.

 

Designed by: Mito Atsuji from Shimonoseki

Featured in the April 1942 issue of the magazine "Koku Shonen" (Aviation Youth) 

 

A design with a distinctly British feel to it. Very similar in concept and design to Short Seaford

Or as zegyeye pointed out, even closer to the Boing 314

The rear ramp with the motor boats is particularly intriguing. I admit I've never heard of such a feature on a flying boat although I guess it could make sense in a way.

The only "flying boat" that could come close, is the experimental Stroukoff YC-134 with the unique system that could land the transport on water. Note the three-tail feature similar to the "Shiokaze" design.

 

How about something like that?

 

Jokes aside the ramp in the back could be useful in open sea rescue operations but not so practical if it's required to unload passengers or supplies on an island or a harbour, since it would be impossible the flying boat to back up towards a dock, a pier or a beach. I think this is the reasoning behind placing the large doors in the front of the experimental Kawanishi H11K-1 "Soku" super transport flying boat.

 

 

And let's not forget the Convair R3Y Tradewind.