- Yes
- No
Aichi D1A1 Model 12 (九四式艦上爆撃機)
The Aichi D1A1 Model 12 is a Japanese dive bomber, which is a production modification of the Aichi D1A1 Model 11 aircraft. This aircraft is equipped with a new engine, which was supposed to solve the problem of poor performance of the previous version of the aircraft. 162 Aichi D1A1 aircraft were built (44 of which are model 12). The Japanese did not distinguish between these two Aichi D1A1 models in the naming.
History
Around 1935-36, the Japanese Navy was already aware that the D1A1 (model 11) had insufficient engine power, so it was decided to fix it by two solutions. The first solution was to replace the engine with a more powerful one in the D1A1 aircraft. The second solution was to modify the design and use an even more powerful engine (this is how the Aichi D1A2 was created). In this suggestion, we will focus on the first solution. It was decided that it would be best to install the Nakajima Kotobuki 3 radial engine with a take-off power of 471 kW (640 hp), which was similar in size to the Nakajima Kotobuki 2 Kai 1 radial engine. This modification was relatively simple and only required modification of the engine cover, due to the fact that the Kotobuki 3 had a different exhaust pipe from the Kotobuki 2 Kai 1. The new version improved the performance of the D1A1 bombers, but at this point the better D1A2 was already in service, so production of the D1A1 Model 12 ended in 1937 after 44 aircraft had been produced. The D1A1 Model 12 aircraft were used by units of the Japanese Navy and took part in the Sino-Japanese War in 1937. However, during the fighting, it turned out that the D1A1s of both models had insufficient performance, and by the end of 1938 all D1A1s (models 11 and 12) had been withdrawn from the first line. Later, the planes were used for training or liaison aircraft until 1942.
Art about D1A1 model 12
Construction description
The Aichi D1A1 Model 12 is very similar to the Aichi D1A1 Model 11, and here are the differences:
- Nakajima Kotobuki 3 nine-cylinder radial engine with a take-off power of 471 kW (640 hp) was installed instead of Nakajima Kotobuki 2 Kai 1 nine-cylinder radial engine with a take-off power of 427 kW (580 hp)
- Modified engine cover
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 9,40 m
- Wingspan: 11,37 m
- Height: 3,45 m
- Wing area: 34,05m2
- Empty weight: 1450 kg
- Gross weight: 2450 kg
- Maximum Take-off Weight: 2540 kg
- Powerplant: 1 x Nakajima Kotobuki 3 air-cooled radial nine-cylinder engine with a take-off power of 471 kW (640 hp)
- Propellers: Two-blade propeller with a fixed angle of attack with a diameter of 2,740 mm.
Performance
- Maximum speed: 292 km/h
- Cruising speed: ?
- Range: 985 km
- Maximum Range: ?
- Service ceiling: 7400 m
- Climb Rate: ?
- Rate of climb: 8,82 min to 3000 m
Armament
- Guns:
- 2 x Type 92 fixed machine gun 7,7mm in the nose
- 1 x Type 92 7.7mm movable machine gun in the rear gunner’s position
- Bombs
- 1 x 250 kg bombs (Under the fuselage)
- 2 x 30 kg bombs (Under the wings)
Special thanks
@Rowiek
Summary
The Aichi D1A1 Model 12 would be an interesting aircraft for Japan in War Thunder. This aircraft would be a good complement to the Aichi D3A1 aircraft, it could also be a modification for the D1A1 Model 11. This aircraft, due to being a biplane, would be more agile than the D3A1, which will be helpful in attacking enemy targets that are trying to defend themselves. I encourage you to discuss in the comments and to share your own knowledge on this subject.
Finally, I apologize for the linguistic and logical errors because unfortunately English is not my main language and I had to use google translator.
Internet sources
Aichi D1A - Wikipedia
Aiči D1A1 12 [Susie] : Aiči
Imperial Japanese Aviation Resource Center - A Warbirds Resource Group Site
Aichi D1A “Susie” (1934)
Warplanes of Japan: Aichi D1A
Aichi D1A. Shipborne Dive Bomber
Aichi D1A Susie - dive bomber
Aichi D1A Susie
Aichi D1A
Уголок неба ¦ Aichi D1A
Book sources
- Japanese Aircraft of Wolrld War II : 1937-1945 ,Thomas Newdick, Edition 2 2017, page 56
- La Aviación Japonesa en la Segunda Guerra mundial (Japanese aviation in World War II) page 137-138
Aviones Japonese | PDF | Fuerzas aéreas del ejército de los Estados Unidos | Avión de combate - Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War page 268-271
- Japońskie Samoloty Marynarki 1912-45 (Japanese naval aircraft 1912-45) page 110-112
Japońskie Samoloty Marynarki 1912-45 | PDF
Thank you for reading the suggestion, see you in the next one. Good luck pilots
