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The L2D “Tabby” was a version of the Douglas DC-3 built under licence in Japan, and which became the Japanese Navy’s standard transport aircraft during the Second World War. On 24 February 1938 Mitsui and Company Ltd, the American branch of the Mitsui Bussan Kaisha (Mitsui Trading Company) acquired the licence to built and sell the DC-3 in Japan and Manchuria. They also bought thirteen Cyclone powered DC-3s and nine Twin Wasp powered DC-3As, two of which were delivered unassembled.
The first 71 aircraft were built by Nakajima Hikoki KK, but most L2Ds were produced by Showa Hikoki Kogyo KK. They built a total of 414 aircraft during the war, giving a total of 485 Japanese-built and 22 imported aircraft.
The aircraft was designated as the Navy Type 0 Transport, reflecting its first appearance in 1940, or as the L2D, and was given the Allied codename “Tabby”. It was produced in personnel and cargo transport versions, some of which carried a dorsal turret armed with a single 13mm gun. The L2D was powered by two Mitsubishi Kinsei engines, a Japanese version of the Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp. The Japanese aircraft could be identified by their modified engine cowlings, extra windows, propeller spinners and modified cargo door.
Designation |
Engine |
Power |
Use |
L2D2 |
Kinsei 43 |
1,000hp |
Personnel transport |
L2D3 |
Kinsei 51 |
1,300hp |
Personnel transport |
L2D3a |
Kinsei 53 |
1,300hp |
Personnel transport |
L2D3-1 |
Kinsei 51 |
1,300hp |
Cargo transport |
L2D3-1a |
Kinsei 53 |
1,300hp |
Cargo transport |
L2D4 |
Kinsei 51 |
1,300hp |
Personnel transport with dorsal turret |
L2D4-1 |
Kinsei 51 |
1,300hp |
Cargo transport with dorsal turret |
L2D5 |
Kinsei 62 |
1,560hp |
Personnel transport with dorsal turret |
