Nakajima A2N

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

A2N
A2N1
Role Carrier-borne fighter
Manufacturer Nakajima Aircraft Company
Designer Takao Yoshida
First flight 1929
Introduction 1932
Primary user Imperial Japanese Navy
Produced 1932-1936 (A2N)
Number built approx 100 (A2N) + 66 (A3N)

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 Navy Type 90 Carrier-based fighter in anticipation of Navy acceptance were ready by December 1929.[1] Powered by Bristol Jupiter VI engines, these were rejected, not being regarded as offering a significant improvement over the Nakajima A1N.[2]

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.[2] 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 Navy Type 90 Carrier-based fighter as the A3N1 and 66 of these were built between 1936 and 1939.[2]

Operational history

The Navy Type 90 Carrier-based fighter flew from the Hōshō, Kaga and Ryūjō.

Variants
A2N3-1
A2N1
(Navy Type 90-I Carrier-based fighter) - Guns located in both sides of the nose, but few produced.
A2N2
(Navy Type 90-II Carrier-based fighter) - Guns transferred to the upper surface of the nose, the fuel tanks mounted on the fuselage sides.
A2N3
(Navy Type 90-III Carrier-based fighter) - principal production variant. 5° of dihedral on upper mainplane.
A3N3-1
two-seat trainer

Specifications (A2N1)

Data from Japanese Aircraft, 1910-1941[2], The Complete Book of Fighters[3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 6.183 m (20 ft 3 in)
  • Wingspan: 9.37 m (30 ft 9 in)
  • Height: 3.025 m (9 ft 11 in)
  • Wing area: 19.74 m2 (212.5 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 1,045 kg (2,304 lb)
  • Gross weight: 1,550 kg (3,417 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Nakajima Kotobuki 2 9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine 343–433 kW (460–580 hp)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed Hamilton Standard fixed-pitch metal propeller

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 293 km/h (182 mph, 158 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 167 km/h (104 mph, 90 kn)
  • Range: 500 km (310 mi, 270 nmi)
  • Endurance: 3 hours
  • Service ceiling: 9,000 m (30,000 ft)
  • Time to altitude: 3,000 m (9,843 ft) in 5 minutes 45 seconds
  • Wing loading: 78.5 kg/m2 (16.1 lb/sq ft)
  • Power/mass: 0.222 kW/kg (0.135 hp/lb)

Armament

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See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

Related lists

References
Notes
  1. Mikesh & Abe 1990, p. 225.
  2. Mikesh & Abe 1990, p. 226.
  3. Green & Swanborough 1994, p. 423.
Bibliography
  • Green, William; Swanborough, Gordon (1994). The Complete Book of Fighters. New York: Smithmark. ISBN 0-8317-3939-8.
  • Mikesh, Robert C.; Abe, Shorzoe (1990). Japanese Aircraft, 1910-1941. London: Putnam Aeronautical Books. ISBN 0-85177-840-2.
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