Aichi D3A

Aichi D3A
Country	Japan
Role	Carrier-based dive bomber
First flight	January 1938
Built	1495

The Aichi D3A Type 99 Carrier Bomber (Allied reporting name “Val”) is a World War II carrier-borne dive bomber. It was the primary dive bomber of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) and was involved in almost all IJN actions, including the attack on Pearl Harbor. The Aichi D3A was the first Japanese aircraft to bomb American targets in the war, commencing with Pearl Harbor and U.S. bases in the Philippines, such as Clark Air Force Base. Vals sank more Allied warships than any other Axis aircraf.

Source: Aichi D3A on Wikipedia

Aichi D3A Val Replica Walk Around
Photographer	Vladimir Yakubov
Localisation	Capital City Airshow 2016, Sacramento
Photos	76

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General Characteristics and Role

The Aichi D3A (Allied reporting name: “Val”) was a Japanese carrier-borne dive bomber that served as the primary attack aircraft of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) carrier fleet early in World War II. It was the first Japanese aircraft to bomb American targets in the war, notably playing a crucial role in the attack on Pearl Harbor and the subsequent major victories of the IJN in the first six months of the war (including sinking multiple British and American warships). The D3A was distinguished by its fixed, spatted landing gear and its elliptical wings, which contributed to its excellent maneuverability and diving stability, though it became increasingly obsolete as the war progressed.

Property	Typical Value (D3A1 Model 11)
Role	Carrier-borne Dive Bomber
National Origin	Japan
Manufacturer	Aichi Kokuki
First Flight	January 1938
Crew	2 (Pilot, Observer/Gunner)
Length	10.2 m (33 ft 5.5 in)
Wingspan	14.37 m (47 ft 1.75 in)
Height	3.85 m (12 ft 7.5 in)
Empty Weight	2,482 kg (5,472 lb)

Powerplant and Performance

Engine: 1 x Mitsubishi Kinsei 44 14-cylinder air-cooled radial engine.
Power Output: 1,070 hp (798 kW).
Maximum Speed: 389 km/h (242 mph; 210 kn) at 3,000 m (9,840 ft).
Range: 1,560 km (970 mi; 842 nmi).
Key Design Feature: The fixed landing gear reduced complexity and weight but contributed to lower top speed compared to aircraft with retractable gear.

Armament and Historic Action

Forward Armament: 2 x 7.7 mm (.303 in) Type 97 machine guns (in the cowling).
Rear Armament: 1 x 7.7 mm (.303 in) Type 92 machine gun (flexibly mounted for the observer).
Bomb Load: 1 x 250 kg (551 lb) bomb carried centrally under the fuselage (for the dive attack) and 2 x 60 kg (132 lb) bombs carried under the wings.
Attack Success: The D3A was highly accurate in its dive bombing role, achieving a high success rate against capital ships during the Battles of the Coral Sea, Midway, and the Indian Ocean raids.
Late-War Role: By the Battle of Midway, the D3A was already obsolescent, but due to production shortfalls of its replacement (the Yokosuka D4Y Suisei), the D3A continued to serve, mainly in second-line roles and, tragically, as a Kamikaze aircraft in the final stages of the war.