Jake Sea Plane - wreck icon of Palau - video

There are wrecks that are so well-known and distinctive that those interested in diving recognise them in every photo, regardless of the lighting, the frame and all the factors that can affect the exposure. One such attraction is certainly the wreck of a Japanese World War II aircraft, known as the Jake Sea Plane, which over the years has become a true diving icon of beautiful Palau.

The enormous popularity of the wreck is probably due to its sensational state of preservation. After all, a machine as fragile as an aircraft usually shatters into thousands of fragments when in contact with water. The region where the wreck is located is also significant. After all, Palau is an extremely picturesque place, with beautiful and crystal-clear water. A real paradise on Earth!

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The remains of the plane are at a depth of only 15 metres, so “Jake” is within reach of every diver and more than one freediver. The machine is located north-west of Palau Pacific Resort.

The name “Jake” comes from the code name used by the Americans for the Aichi E13A-1 Japanese Navy Seaplane. These aircraft were long-range reconnaissance machines and served in the Imperial Japanese Navy from 1941-45.

The Japanese had around 1500 of these aircraft in stock, which were produced in several different versions. They were used in the Pacific War for patrolling coastal waters, transporting officers, conducting fast rescue missions and attacking vessels. Many aircraft of this type took part in the legendary Japanese naval success of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

The Aichi E13A-1 was powered by a 14-cylinder Mitsubishi 1080hp engine. The crew consisted of 3 people, who had at their disposal 250 kg of bombs, a 7.7 mm machine gun, and in some versions a 20 mm cannon pointed downwards, intended for firing on vessels. The range of the “Jakes” was about 2100 km.

Palau’s diving icon was born in the ’90s when a wreck was found by a local fisherman. Most likely the crew ran out of fuel and the plane was abandoned. This is evidenced by the propeller still in place, suggesting that the engine was no longer running at the time of the sinking.

Source: palaudiveadventures.com