Kawanishi H6K Mavis

Apr 23

The Kawanishi H6K was an Imperial Japanese Navy flying boat produced by the Kawanishi Aircraft Company and used during World War II for maritime patrol duties. The Allied reporting name for the type was Mavis; the Navy designation was "Type 97 Large Flying Boat" (九七式大型飛行艇)

There are actually more than 13 Mavis planes to dive in and around Tulaghi, however, our favourite lies just off Ghavutu Island. The Mavis is a 4 engine aircraft and sits upright at approx 30m. Lionfish and glassfish frequent the wreck along with a wide variety of pipefish. Divers need to watch their bottom time to avoid deco and also need to maintain good buoyancy as the bottom is soft and easily stirred up by careless fins. The wreck is reasonably in tact except for the starboard wing which was lost (probably from bombing). A bucket of bottles and ammo cartridges have been lifted out and onto the fuselage.