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Japan's Aichi D3A1,2; Navy Type 99 Carrier Bomber Model 111; Navy Type 99 Model 113
Allied Code Name: Val1,2,3
Design
In 1936 the Imperial Japanese Navy issued specifications for a dive-bomber to replace the Aichi D1A2 biplanes.1,2
Aichi delivered a design that had a fixed undercarriage and a wing that was inspired by the German He 70.1,2 It was decided that the complexity and extra weight of a retractable landing gear wasn't worth the small increase in performance.1
Initial tests showed a number of problems that resulted in a redesign.1 This aircraft was then chosen over the Nakajima D3N1.1 There were still directional stability problems that resulted in a dorsal fin being installed.1 This was done before carrier qualification testing that occurred in 1940.1
Prototype
The prototype first flew in August 19363 / January 19382. The prototype D3A had a Nakajima Hikari 1 radial engine (710 HP).2
Production
- Prototypes3: 23
- D3A12,3: 4762,3
- D3A22,3: 1,0162,3
- D3A3 - Aichi3: 8163
- D3A3 - Hikoki-Kogyo3: 2013
Variants
- D3A: Prototype.3
- D3A1 / Navy Type 99 Model 113: Had a smaller wing than the D3A2.2 Used a Mitsubishi Kinsei 43 radial engine (1,000 HP).2
- D3A1-K: Trainer.3
- D3A1-2K: Trainer.3
- D3A2 / Navy Type 99 Model 223: Became available in June 1942.1,2 Had a modified canopy, a propeller spinner, and more fuel.1
- D3A2-K Bomber Trainer Model 12.1
- D3A3:
Usage
Because the D3A was very agile, it was sometimes flown as a fighter.1
The D3A1 entered service in 1937.3
Pearl Harbor
The D3A was used in the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.1,2
Indian Ocean
The Aichi D3As took part in the sinking of the British aircraft carrier, the HMS Hermes.1,3 D3A1s also sank the British cruisers HMS Cornwall and HMS Dorsetshire.2,3
Battle of the Coral Sea
There were significant loses during the Battle of the Coral Sea of the D3A2 and the remaining were withdrawn to land bases.2
| Aichi D3A3 | Aichi D3A13 | Aichi D3A2 Model 221 Aichi D3A22,3 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Dive-bomber3 | Dive-bomber1,2 | |
| Crew | 23 | 21,2 | |
| Engine (Type) | Mitsubishi Kinsei 443 | Mitsubishi Kinsei 54 piston1,2,3 | |
| Cylinders | Radial 143 | Radial 141,3 Radial2 |
|
| Cooling | Air1 | ||
| Net HP | 1,0803 | 1,3001,2,3 | |
| Propeller blades | 33 | 33 | |
| Dimensions | |||
| Span | 47' 2"3 14.37 m3 |
47' 2"1,2 14.37 m1, 14.38 m2 |
|
| Length | 33' 7"3 10.24 m3 |
33' 5 3/8"2, 33' 6"1 10.2 m1,2 |
|
| Height | 10' 11.25"3 3.33 m3 |
12' 7.5"2, 12' 8"1 3.85 m1,2 |
|
| Wing area | 373 ft 2 1, 375.7 ft2 2 34.9 m2 1,2 |
||
| Weight | |||
| Empty | 5,310 lb3 2,408 kg3 |
5,654 lb1, 5,666 lb2, 5,772 lb3 2,570 kg1,2, 2,618 kg3 |
|
| Loaded | 8,047 lb3 3,650 kg3 |
8,360 lb1, 8,378 lb2,3 3,800 kg1,2,3 |
|
| Performance | |||
| Speed - cruising | 184 mph3 296 kph3 |
||
| Speed @ 9,840' / 3,000 m |
242 mph3 390 kph3 |
||
| Speed @ 18,536' / 5,650 m |
266 mph3 428 kph3 |
||
| Speed @ 20,000' / 6,000 m |
267 mph1 430 kph1 |
||
| Speed @ 20,340' / 6,200 m |
267 mph2 430 kph2 |
||
| Climb to 9,845' / 3,000 m |
6.5 minutes3 | 5.76 minutes2 | |
| Service ceiling | 30,050'3 9,160 m3 |
34,450'2, 35,695'3 10,500 m2, 10,880 m3 |
|
| Range | 1,130 miles3 1,820 km3 |
840 miles2 1,352 km2 |
|
| Range with bomb load | 840 miles1, 970 miles3 1,352 km1, 1,560 km3 |
||
| Armament | 2: 7.7 mm Type 97 MG forward firing1 1: 7.7 mm Type 97 MG flexible in rear cockpit1 3: MGs3 |
||
| Nose | 2: 7.7 mm MG3 | 2: 7.7 mm Type 97 MG2 | |
| Cockpit - rear | 1: 7.7 mm MG3 | 1: 7.7 mm Type 92 MG2 | |
| Bomb - under fuselage | 551 lb2, 814 lb1 250 kg2, 370 kg1 |
||
| Bomb load under fuselage and wings | 683 lb3 310 kg3 |
816 lb3 370 kg3 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of World War II, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004
- Fighting Aircraft of World War II, Editor: Karen Leverington, 1995
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
