The Nakajima D3N (also designated Experimental 11-Shi Carrier Bomber and Nakajima DB) was a Japanese carrier-based dive bomber of the 1930s. Three prototypes were built for the Imperial Japanese Navy, but no production followed, with the Aichi D3A being selected instead.
D3N | |
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Role | Dive bomber Type of aircraft |
National origin | Japan |
Manufacturer | Nakajima Aircraft Company |
First flight | 1937 |
Number built | 3 |
In 1936, the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service issued a specification for a carrier based dive bomber to replace the Aichi D1A,[1] a two-seat biplane developed from the German Heinkel He 66.[2] The new dive bomber was to be a low-wing monoplane, with proposals submitted by Aichi, Mitsubishi and Nakajima. Orders were placed with Aichi and Nakajima for prototypes in 1934.[1][3] Nakajima's design was based on its C3N and B5N that had been designed to meet 1935 requirements for a reconnaissance aircraft and torpedo bomber respectively, and like these aircraft, was a single-engined monoplane of all-metal construction with folding wings for storage aboard ship. It was powered by a single Nakajima Hikari nine-cylinder radial engine, rated at 660–820 horsepower (490–610 kW), and driving a two-bladed variable-pitch propeller. It had a retractable tailwheel undercarriage, in which the mainwheels were designed to be lowered for use as dive brakes, although more conventional dive brakes were added as a result of a change in the specification.[1]
The first prototype made its maiden flight in 1937, with the second and third prototypes flying in 1939.[1] Aichi's AM-17 proved superior however, and was ordered into production as the Aichi D3A in December 1939.[1][4]
The second prototype was retained by Nakajima and used as a testbed, helping in the development of the Nakajima Sakae and Homare engines, and remaining in use until 1945.[5]
Data from Japanese Aircraft 1910–1941[5]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
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Imperial Japanese Navy types |
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Imperial Japanese Army types |
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WW2 Allied reporting names |
Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft designations (short system) | |
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Fighters (A) | |
Torpedo bombers (B) | |
Shipboard reconnaissance (C) | |
Dive bombers (D) | |
Reconnaissance seaplanes (E) | |
Observation seaplanes (F) | |
Land-based bombers (G) | |
Flying Boats (H) | |
Land-based Fighters (J) | |
Trainers (K) | |
Transports (L) |
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Special-purpose (M)1 | |
Floatplane fighters (N) | |
Land-based bombers (P) | |
Patrol (Q) | |
Land-based reconnaissance (R) | |
Night fighters (S) |
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1 X as second letter is for experimental aircraft or imported technology demonstrators not intended for service 2 Hyphenated trailing letter (-J, -K, -L, -N or -S) denotes design modified for secondary role |