Nakajima A2N

A2N

Role: Carrier-borne fighter
Manufacturer: Nakajima Aircraft Company
Designed by: Takao Yoshida
First flight: 1929
Introduced: 1932
Primary user: Imperial Japanese Navy
Produced: 1932-1936 (A2N)
Number built: approx 100 (A2N) + 66 (A3N)

The Nakajima A2N or Navy Type 90 Carrier-based fighter was a Japanese carrier-borne fighter of the 1930s. It was single-engine, biplane of mixed construction, with a fixed, tailwheel undercarriage.

Design and development

The A2N was originally developed as a private venture by Nakajima for the Imperial Japanese Navy. It was based loosely on the Boeing Model 69 and Boeing Model 100, examples of both having been imported in 1928 and 1929 respectively. Takao Yoshida led the design team. Two prototypes, designated 'Type 90 Carrier fighter' in anticipation of Navy acceptance were ready by December 1929. Powered by Bristol Jupiter VI engines, these were rejected, not being regarded as offering a significant improvement over the A1N.

Jingo Kurihara carried out a partial redesign and another prototype, the A2N1, powered by a 432 kW (580 hp) Nakajima Kotobuki 2, was completed in May 1931. The type was adopted by the Navy in April 1932. In 1932, Minoru Genda formed a flight demonstration team known as "Genda's Flying Circus" to promote naval aviation and flew this type.

A two-seat trainer was later developed from the Type 90 as the A3N1 and 66 of these were built between 1936 and 1939.

Operational history

The Type 90 was shipped aboard the Hōshō, Kaga and Ryūjō.

Variants

A2N
A2N1
A2N2 (Type 90-III) - principal production variant. 5� of dihedral on upper mainplane.
A2N3 - two-seat trainer
A3N1 - two-seat trainer

Specifications (A2N1)

Data from Japanese Aircraft, 1910-1941; The Complete Book of Fighters

General characteristics

Crew: 1
Length: 6.18 m (20 ft 3⅜ in)
Wingspan: 9.37 m (30 ft 9 in)
Height: 3.20 m (9 ft 11 in)
Wing area: 19.74 m� (212.5 ft�)
Empty weight: 1,045 kg (2,304 lb)
Loaded weight: 1,550 kg (3,417 lb)
Powerplant: 1x� Nakajima Kotobuki 2 nine cylinder air-cooled radial engine, 433 kW (580 hp)

Performance

Maximum speed: 293 km/h (158 knots, 182 mph) at 3,000 m (9,845 ft)
Cruise speed: 166 km/h (90 knots, 103.6 mph)
Range: 501 km (270 nmi, 311 mi)
Service ceiling: 9,000 m (29,500 ft)
Wing loading: 78.5 kg/m� (16.1 lb/ft�)
Endurance: 3 hours
Climb to 3,000 m (9,845 ft): 5.75 min

Armament

Guns: 2x� 7.7 mm (0.303 in) Type 97 machine guns

Related development

Boeing F2B
Boeing F4B

Comparable aircraft

Boeing F2B
Boeing P-12
Hawker Nimrod

Bibliography

Green, William; Gordon Swanborough (1994). The Complete Book of Fighters. New York: Smithmark. ISBN 0-8317-3939-8.
Mikesh, Robert C.; Shorzoe Abe (1990). Japanese Aircraft, 1910-1941. London: Putnam Aeronautical Books. ISBN 0-85177-840-2.

Nakajima A2N Pictures

Living Warbirds: The best warbirds DVD series.

Source: WikiPedia