Nakajima D2N 8-Shi Special Bomber

The Nakajima D2N was Nakajima's last attempt to design a dive-bomber, and was developed in cooperation with the Japanese Navy. It was produced as an entry in the 8-Shi Special Bomber project, which called for a new dive-bomber for carrier service. Aichi produced the D1A1, which was based on the Heinkel He 66 and was accepted as the Type 94 Carrier Bomber.

Nakajima worked with the Naval Air Arsenal to produce their entry into the contest. Nakajima had produced two earlier experimental dive bombers, for a 6-Shi and 7-Shi contests. The new aircraft was a standard biplane bomber, with an air-cooled radial engine, a swept back upper wing, fixed undercarriage with streamlined legs and a large streamlined wing strut. The aircraft had a metal structure and was fabric covered. The wings forded rearwards.

The aircraft performed badly in Navy tests, and was rejected in favour of the Aichi design, which became the Type 94 Carrier Bomber (D1A1), the first in a series of Aichi dive bombers.

Engine: Nakajima Kotobuki 2-kai-1 nine-cylinder air-cooled radial engine
Power: 460-580hp
Crew: 2
Span: 37ft 8.75in
Length: 29ft 6.25in
Height: 11ft 5.75in
Empty weight: 3,307lb
Maximum take-off weight: 5,511lb
Max speed: 161mph
Climb Rate: 11 minutes to 9,843ft
Service ceiling: 21,325ft
Armament: Two fixed forward firing 7.7mm machine guns and one flexibly mounted 7.7mm machine gun

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How to cite this article: Rickard, J (1 August 2013), Nakajima D2N 8-Shi Special Bomber , http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_nakajima_D2N.html

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