Tamiya 60737 - 1/72 Aichi M6A1 Seiran WWII submarine-launched aircraft kit  [60737]

Inside the Aichi M6A1 Seiran story

The Aichi M6A1 Seiran stands out in wartime aviation as a purpose-built aircraft for submarine deployment. Conceived during World War II, it was intended to be stored and launched from submarine hangars, making it a unique subject for historical model collections and display builds.

Origins and engineering highlights

The Seiran project began in 1942 when Aichi Aircraft Company was assigned to design a special attack plane compatible with submarines. It used the 12-cylinder liquid-cooled Atsuta 32 engine, derived from the German Daimler-Benz DB603. Key design solutions included folding wings and a collapsible tail so the aircraft could fit into compact submarine hangars.

Why builders value this kit

This 1/72 scale kit from Tamiya reproduces those distinctive features, from the folding wing mechanism to the weapon loadouts that allowed the Seiran to carry torpedoes or bombs. The build provides a rewarding look at the engineering challenges of WWII submarine aviation for dedicated model builders and collectors.