Nakajima
Nakajima D3N
The Nakajama D3N was a Japanese carrier‑based dive‑bomber developed by Nakajima in the late 1930s to replace the aging Aichi D1A. First flying in 1938, the D3N entered service with the Imperial Japanese Navy in 1940, seeing limited combat during the early Pacific War before being superseded by the more capable Aichi B7A and Yokosuka D4Y. Built in both single‑seat (D3N1) and two‑seat trainer (D3N2) versions, the aircraft featured an all‑metal low‑wing monoplane layout, fixed split‑type landing gear, and a closed cockpit. Powered by a 640 hp Nakajima Hikari radial engine, it could reach 470 km/h and carry a 250 kg bomb beneath the fuselage, with provisions for small bombs under the wings. Its robust construction and simple controls made it an effective platform for pilot training after frontline duties ended. Although produced in relatively modest numbers—about 800 units—the D3N demonstrated Nakajima’s rapid adaptation to evolving naval air tactics and contributed to the development of later, more advanced dive‑bombers. Its service highlights a transitional period in Japanese naval aviation, bridging biplane designs and the sleek, high‑performance aircraft of World II. The D3N’s legacy endures in museum collections and historical studies, symbolizing the ingenuity and rapid development of Japan’s pre‑war aviation industry.
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Classification
Production & History
- First Flight
- 1937