Japan's Aichi D3A; Navy Type 99 Carrier Bomber Model 11; Navy Type 99 Model 11
Allied Code Name: Val

Photos

Aichi D3A Val dive bomber:	Aichi D3A Val dive bomber:	Aichi D3A Val dive bomber:	Aichi D3A Val dive bomber getting ready for takeoff on December 7, 1941:
Aichi D3A Val dive bomber during the attack on Pearl Harbor:	Aichi D3A Val dive bomber during the attack on Pearl Harbor:
Aichi D3A Val dive bomber:

Design

In 1936 the Imperial Japanese Navy issued specifications for a dive-bomber to replace the Aichi D1A2 biplanes.^1,2,4 Aichi, Mitsubishi, and Nakajima submitted designs.⁴ Aichi and Nakajima were asked to construct prototypes.⁴

Aichi delivered a design that had a fixed undercarriage and a wing that was inspired by the German He 70.^1,2,4 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

The D3A was constructed of metal.⁴

Wings

The wings were placed low in the fuselage.⁴

Undercarriage

The D3A used a fixed faired undercarriage.⁴

Prototype

The prototype first flew in August 1936³ / January 1938^2,4. The prototype D3A had a Nakajima Hikari 1 radial engine (710 HP).^2,4

Production

• Prototypes³: 2³
• Aichi D3A1^2,3: 476^2,3
• Aichi D3A2^2,3: 1,016^2,3
• Aichi D3A3 - Aichi³: 816³
• Aichi D3A3 - Hikoki-Kogyo³: 201³
• Total: 1,495⁴
  • Manufacturer: Aichi Kokuki K.K.⁴
  • Production: December 1939 - August 1945⁴

Variants

• Aichi D3A: Prototype.³
• Aichi 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
• Aichi D3A1-K: Trainer.³
• Aichi D3A1-2K: Trainer.³
• Aichi D3A2 / Navy Type 99 Model 22³: Became available in June 1942.^1,2 Had a modified canopy, a propeller spinner, and more fuel.¹
• Aichi D3A2-K Bomber Trainer Model 12.¹
• Aichi D3A3:

Usage

Because the D3A was very agile, it was sometimes flown as a fighter.¹

The D3A1 entered service in 1937.³

Testing

The tests of the D3A ere conducted on the Kaga and Akagi.⁴

Pearl Harbor

126 D3As were used in the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.^1,2,4

Indian Ocean

The Aichi D3As took part in the sinking of the British aircraft carrier, the HMS Hermes with 80% of their bombs hitting their target.^1,3,4 D3A1s also sank the British cruisers HMS Cornwall and HMS Dorsetshire in April 1942 with 80% of their bombs hitting their target.^2,3,4

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

Most Successful

The D3A sank more Allied navy ships than any other aircraft.⁴

Specifications

	Aichi D3A3	Aichi D3A13,4	Aichi D3A2 Model 221 Aichi D3A22,3
Type	Dive-bomber3	Bomber4	Dive-bomber1,2
Crew	23	24	21,2
Engine (Type)		Mitsubishi Kinsei 434, Mitsubishi Kinsei 443	Kinsei4, Mitsubishi Kinsei 54 piston1,2,3
Cylinders		Radial 143,4	Radial2, Radial 141,3
Cooling		Air4	Air1
Net HP		1,0004, 1,0803	1,3001,2,3,4
Propeller blades		33	33
Dimensions
Span	47' 2"3 14.37 m3	47' 1"4	47' 2"1,2 14.37 m1, 14.38 m2
Length	33' 7"3 10.24 m3	33' 5"4	33' 5 3/8"2, 33' 6"1 10.2 m1,2
Height	10' 11.25"3 3.33 m3	12' 7"4	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 lb3,4 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 @ 9,845'		240 mph4
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		30,050'3,4 9,160 m3	34,450'2, 35,695'3 10,500 m2, 10,880 m3
Range		915 miles4, 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		3: MG4	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
Bombs		815 lb4
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