One of the Japanese Kawanishi Sea Planes was hit by fighter jets to sink her offshore Gavutu Island.
| Name Dive Site: | Kawanishi H6K5 Sea Plane |
| Depth: | 22-30m (72-98ft) |
| Inserted/Added by: | invadercharters |
| Rated: | Rated 1.0, 1 votes |
| Specifications: |    |
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The H6K5 was the largest Japanese plane at the start of WWII. They flew between the far reaches of the Japanese empire, but were no match for fighter attacks despite its defensive armament. The Kawanishi was an excellent, well built airplane that was arguably the most advanced flying boat in the world at the start of the war. Its successor was the H8K Emily. The H6K5 (Kawanishi Sea Plane) sank off Gavutu Island on August 7, 1942 in the air strikes prior to the US Marines landing.
The Kawanishi Sea Plane (Kawanishi H6K5 Mavis) rests upright nearly completely intact on a sandy, silt covered bottom. The right wing is broken off and sat in front of the plane. The fuselage is in excellent condition, the nose slightly bent, likely from impacting the bottom. The fuselage and tail are intact, with some portions of the outer skin corroded away to allow divers to view inside. The left wing is well preserved and silt in the area reduces dive visibility.
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