Description
In 1936, the Navy ordered three companies, Aichi, Nakajima, and Mitsubishi, to build a
prototype of the 11th prototype carrier-based bomber , but Mitsubishi gave up on development midway through, so Aichi and Nakajima decided to build a prototype. There was a competition to develop a prototype.
The Aichi aircraft features an all-metal low-wing monoplane,
the main and tail planes are aerodynamically superior elliptical tapered wings, the
main landing gear is fixed for practicality, and the aircraft
is equipped with a dive braking plate on the underside of the main wing. was developed, and
the prototype made its first flight in 1938.
In subsequent flight tests,
problems such as an unexpected rotation that began to roll over on its own, and the weight of the elevator took time to repair, but it
was superior in speed and maneuverability to the rival Nakajima aircraft, and
was completed in 1939. It was officially adopted as the Type 9 carrier-based bomber Type 11 (D3A1), and
its success in bombing with a high hit rate in the early stages of the war
was remarkable.
[Data]
Crew: 2 people
Overall width: 14.36m
Overall length: 10.185m
Overall height: 3.085m
Complete weight: 3,650kg
Engine: Venus 44 type (maximum takeoff output 1,000hp/2,500rpm)
Maximum speed: 382km/h
Cruising range: 1,820km
Armament: 7.7mm machine gun x 2 (fixed at the front of the fuselage), 7.7mm machine gun x 1 (swiveled to the rear of the fuselage)
Bomb: 250kg x 1, 30kg to 60kg x 2