Aichi D3A Type 99 (Val)
Technical Information
Background
Know to the Japanese as the 'Type 99 Dive bomber' (Ku Ku Kamba). This was the Japanese Navy's primary dive bomber at the
start of WWII, and could operate from aircraft carriers or land based.
This low-wing monoplane with fixed landing gear. Its performance characteristics were
not that impressive, but the well-trained, experienced Japanese
pilots could use it effectively to bombed targets with great
accuracy. Despite its lower speed, it was highly maneuverable.
D3A1 (Model 11)
Initial production design, used at the start of the war and for the attack on Pearl Harbor and the Philippines.
D3A2 (Model 22)
The first models were assembled in June 1942, and entered service in the autum of 1942.
Production
A total of 1,495 were built.
