The Kawanishi H8K Emily combined long range with extensive defensive armament. Its cannon and machine guns invited comparison with the heavily armed Short Sunderland. The range quoted for the aircraft in this operation, 3,888 nautical miles, suggests that early H8K1s may have been used instead of the slightly shorter-ranged H8K2. That identification remains an inference from the published figures. Selecting the longer-ranged aircraft would have improved the prospect of completing the outward journey and returning.
Notable Point · 1:33:23-1:36:53
Why the H8K Emily suited the pathfinder role
The H8K Emily's armament and long range suited the pathfinder role; the range figures suggest, without establishing, which variant was used.