Aichi D3A
The Aichi D3A is a Japanese light bomber of the World War II. It was used by the Japanese navy. The plane was used in two famous battles: Pearl Harbor bombing and the Battle of Midway. It was nicknamed Val by the Allied forces. Some were used as kamikaze planes, like many other aircraft in Japan during World War II.
| D3A | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Aichi D3A1 from carrier Akagi. | |
| Role | Carrier-based dive bomber |
| Manufacturer | Aichi Kokuki KK |
| First flight | January 1938 |
| Introduction | 1940[1] |
| Retired | 1945 |
| Primary user | Imperial Japanese Navy |
| Number built | 1,495 (479 D3A-1) (1016 D3A-2) |
| Developed into | Yokosuka D3Y Myōjo |
Aichi D3A Media
Aichi D3A1 dive bombers prepare to take off from a Japanese aircraft carrier during the morning of 7 December 1941 to attack Pearl Harbor.
Aichi D3A1 taking off from the carrier Akagi during the Indian Ocean Raid.
Aichi D3A1s from the carrier Shōkaku during the Battle of the Coral Sea.
Aichi D3A1 of 33rd Air Group over eastern Java in early summer 1942.
Aichi D3A1s from Shōkaku return to their carrier after attacking the U.S. carrier Enterprise during the Battle of the Eastern Solomons in August 1942.
Aichi D3A2 during maintenance. Note the propeller spinner that is missing from the D3A1s in the previous photos.
Aichi D3A2 with a telescopic sight, before takeoff.
Aichi D3A1 Val dive bomber
References
- ↑ Chant 1999, p. 16.
- Mondey, David (1996). Axis Aircraft of World War II. Chancellor Press, London. ISBN 1851529667.
