[2] These were duly engaged in comparative trials against competitors from Aichi and Kawanishi, with the E8N being the preferred option due to its superior manoeuvrability and ruggedness.

[3] The meeting occurred on 1 February 1941, and Orion thus became the only German naval vessel of the Second World War to employ a Japanese float plane.

The remaining fifteen served on after the war until lack of spare parts resulted in their decommissioning and scrapping.

[3] Some aircraft remained in service with the fleet at the outbreak of the Pacific War, and one flew reconnaissance from the battleship Haruna during the Battle of Midway.

In general, though, they were soon replaced by more modern aircraft such as the Aichi E13A and the Mitsubishi F1M and reassigned to second-line duties, such as a seaplane trainer, communications and liaison work.