Aichi D3A

The Aichi D3A (Navy full designation "Type 99 Carrier Bomber"; Allied reporting name "Val") is a carrier-borne dive bomber designed and produced by Aichi Kokuki KK. It was the primary dive bomber of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) during World War II and thus was involved in almost all IJN actions during the conflict, including the attack on Pearl Harbor. The type sank more Allied warships than any other Axis aircraft. The D3A was developed on behalf of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) as a replacement for its D1A biplane. The designers opted for an elliptical wing configuration as well as for fixed landing gear. In January 1938, the prototype performed its maiden flight. Early test flights were disappointing due to the aircraft being underpowered and demonstrating instability, leading to the second aircraft being extensively modified to improve performance. The stability issue was resolved fully through the addition of a long dorsal fin-strake on the rear fuselage while more powerful engines were adopted, along with other changes such as stronger dive brakes. Having been suitably satisfied by the refined aircraft, the IJN ordered it into production as the Navy Type 99 Carrier Bomber Model 11 in December 1939. Entering service with the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service (IJNAS) in 1940, the D3A quickly displaced the older D1A from frontline service. It was deployed on many of the IJN's carriers, including the Akagi, Kaga, Ryūjō, Shōkaku, Zuikaku, Shōhō, Zuihō, Chitose, and Chiyoda. The D3A made its combat debut during the Second Sino-Japanese War, participating in the Bombing of Chongqing and the invasion of Indochina as well. The type was a key element of the service's inventory at the start of World War II, being the first Japanese aircraft to bomb American targets in the conflict, commencing with Pearl Harbor and U.S....