Aichi was a major aircraft engines manufacturer during World War II, although it began its work in this sector in 1927.

-The first aircraft engine that they manufactured was the Lorraine with 400 and 450 cv under license for the Japanese Navy.

-In fact, Aichi Tokei Denki K.K. began manufacturing machinery in 1899.

-Although the general belief is that during the war they were building the Daimler-Benz DB-601 under license. This engine was known in Japan as Atsuta, which was a liquid-cooled, twelve-cylinder inverted V engine, There has appeared a radial engine with reference AC .1 giving 300 hp at 1800 rpm. This engine is shown below viewed from the front and from the rear.

“Aichi AC.1”

“ Aichi AC.1”

-The Atsuta, like the AE1A model gave 1200 CV and it was installed in the Yokosuka Suisei in 1943. (Atsuta 21).

-The Atsuta 32 (AE1P) gave 1400 CV. From these engines they developed the Ha-70 that were two Atsuta 30 engines coupled to a common gear box, giving 3400 CV.

“Atsuta 32, AE1P”

“Atsuta 32, front view”

-The Aichi Atsuta 31 was also built by Aichi Aircraft Co.

-The Atsuta 31 was a DB-601A with 1400 hp at 2800 rpm. It was an inverted V-12 engine and thus liquid cooled.

“Atsuta 31, en el NASM”

-In total, they managed to produce 873 Atsuta engines during WWII.

-The Ha-60 of the Japanese Navy was similar to the 31 model. It was installed in the Aichi Seiran and the Suisei Yokosuka.

From Appendix 10: Photograph of a Ha-70 which was a double Aichi Atsuta Ha-30. They were copies of German Daimler-Benz.

“Aichi Ha-70” (Museum Photo)