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In 1934, the Imperial Japanese Navy issued requirement for a
twin-engine maritime reconnaissance flying boat, which was intended to
match the performance of contemporary four-engine flying boats, while
being cheaper to build and easier to maintain. The 11th Naval Air
Arsenal at Yokosuka was given the responsibility of design and building
two prototypes, these being completed during 1936. Although the
prototype was found to be underpowered, it was accepted for production
in 1938 as the H5Y-1 Type-99 Flying Boat. Dubbed codename Cherry by the
Allies, the H5Y-1 production deliveries began in 1939, but the
underpowered performance led to manufacture termination by the end of
the year. It was considered unsuitable for operational use by the
Japanese Navy, and was relegated to second-line duties such as
communications and transport. Some were used for coastal anti-submarine
patrol during the early date of the Pacific War.
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