How many Aichi E11A "Laura" were built?

Short answer

Seventeen: only 17 E11A were built. It was an Imperial Japanese Navy floatplane used during the first year of World War II for maritime patrol missions, designed to be launched from cruisers or battleships to observe and correct their artillery fire at night.

Published: November 1, 2026 · Updated: November 1, 2026 · Edited by Above Ten Thousand · Editorial policy

Curtiss Model E Flying Boat (hull only)

Seventeen units

Only 17 Aichi E11A aircraft were built, an extremely limited production run that came out of the Aichi factory. The design had won the competition it entered and was accepted into production as the Type 98. The Allies assigned it the name "Laura", while the Japanese Navy designation was "Type 98 Reconnaissance Seaplane". The aircraft was fairly similar to the earlier E10A Type 96, known to the Allies as "Hank".

A floatplane to correct night-time gunfire

The E11A was an Imperial Japanese Navy floatplane used during the first year of World War II for maritime patrol duties. It had been designed to be launched from cruisers or battleships in order to observe and correct their artillery fire at night.

From battleships to transport

Initially they were meant to serve aboard the battleships of the Combined Fleet, but they ended up assigned to light cruisers acting as flotilla leaders for destroyer squadrons. The Type 98s were soon diverted to liaison and transport missions.