Experimental 8-Shi Special Bomber (D2N1) - Nakajima RZ
History:
The Experimental 8-Shi Special Bomber, known within Nakajima as the RZ, was part of a 1933 competition initiated by the Japanese Navy to develop a new carrier-based dive-bomber. This project was a collaboration between Nakajima and the Naval Air Arsenal, with design work led by Jun-ichiro Nagahata, who had previously been involved in the 6-Shi and 7-Shi Special Bomber projects. Ryozo Yamamoto of Nakajima was responsible for production.
The competition saw Nakajima going up against Aichi, who developed the D1A1, a derivative of the German Heinkel He 66. Two prototypes of the Nakajima RZ were built in 1934. The design included an increase in wing area and improvements in the strut-bracing system for both the wings and the undercarriage, compared to the previous 7-Shi design.
However, flight evaluations revealed significant shortcomings in the Nakajima design. The aircraft was found to be poor in stability and generally inferior to the Aichi D1A1, which ultimately led to the Navy selecting Aichi’s design as the Type 94 Carrier Bomber. This decision marked the end of Nakajima’s efforts to produce a biplane carrier dive-bomber, with Aichi becoming the exclusive supplier of such aircraft to the Japanese Navy thereafter.
Specifications:
- Type: Single-engine biplane dive-bomber
- Construction: Metal structure with fabric covering; wings folded rearward for stowage
- Crew: 2 (in open cockpits)
- Engine: 460-580hp Nakajima Kotobuki 2-kai-1 nine-cylinder air-cooled radial engine driving a fixed-pitch two-bladed metal propeller
- Armament:
- Two forward-firing fixed 7.7mm machine guns
- One dorsal flexible 7.7mm machine gun
- Dimensions:
- Wingspan: 11.50 m (37 ft 8¾ in)
- Length: 9 m (29 ft 6½ in)
- Height: 3.50 m (11 ft 5½ in)
- Wing area: 35 sq m (376.749 sq ft)
- Weights:
- Empty weight: 1,500 kg (3,307 lb)
- Loaded weight: 2,500 kg (5,511 lb)
- Performance:
- Maximum speed: 140 kt (161 mph) at 3,000 m (9,843 ft)
- Climb to 3,000 m (9,843 ft): 11 minutes
- Service ceiling: 6,500 m (21,325 ft)
- Number Built: 2 (from March 1934)