- Yes
- No
Nakajima C3N1 ( 九七式艦上偵察機)
The Nakajima C3N1 is a Japanese carrier-based reconnaissance aircraft built in 1936. Two aircraft were created that served from 1937 as reconnaissance planes over China.
History
In 1935, the Japanese Navy issued Specification 10-Shi, which required a new carrier-based bomber and reconnaissance aircraft for the Navy. The Navy sent specifications to Mitsubishi and Nakajima, both companies accepted the offer to build a carrier-based bomber (the future B5M and B5N), but Mitsubishi refused to design a reconnaissance aircraft. The specifications of the Navy were very precise and rigorous, and they were as follows:
- Three-seater monoplane
- Width 14 m, length up to 10 m
- Top speed of 370 km/h or faster
- Cruising Range: 2,200km
- The main wing can be folded and is also equipped with hooks and landing flaps
The head of the team responsible for the future C3N1 was Yasuda Fukuda, who came up with a brilliant idea. They decided, together with Katsumi Nakamura, who was responsible for the future B5N aircraft, to use the same parts so that both aircraft could be mutually repaired and to facilitate future logistics. In order to speed up the work, the project was based on the Ki-31 aircraft, which was rejected by the army. During the work, both design teams exchanged ideas and cooperated, which accelerated the project even more. And so, in October 1936, the first prototype of the future C3N1 aircraft was ready, and soon after the second. Both aircraft, along with the prototype B5N, were sent to the Navy for testing. These tests lasted until September 1937, when the aircraft passed them and were accepted into service as the C3N1 or Type 97 Carrier Reconnaissance Aircraft. At that time, the Second Sino-Japanese War began, so the Japanese sent the 97th Reconnaissance Squadron to China, which became part of the 12th Air Squadron. During the fighting, it was discovered that the B5N1 aircraft (which were part of the 12th Air Squadron) were also great as reconnaissance aircraft, which caused the Navy to decide that a special reconnaissance aircraft was not needed. This led to the fact that serial production of C3N1 aircraft did not start. Subsequently, one of the prototype C3Ns was shot down by Chinese air defenses in late 1937, and the other prototype was blown down the following year. The flight crews had a very good opinion of the C3N aircraft, who preferred it to the C5M (Ki-15) or A8V1 aircraft.
Photos of the C3N1 aircraft
Construction description
The Nakajima C3N1 was a single-engine low-wing monoplane, powered by a radial engine and with a crew carried in a covered cockpit. The plane had an all-metal structure and wings that folded upwards. On board was a crew of three in a long cockpit, with an observer in the middle and a rear gunner. The plane had a fixed landing gear with a fairing. The armament consisted of one fixed Type 92 7.7 mm machine gun (500 rounds) and one mobile Type 92 machine gun (485 rounds).
General characteristics
- Crew: 3
- Length: 10 m
- Wingspan: 13,95 m
- Height: 3m
- Wing area: 30 m2
- Empty weight: 1,805 kg
- Gross weight: 3,000 kg
- Powerplant: × Nakajima Hikari 2 9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine with a take-off power of 618 kW (840 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 387 km/h
- Cruise Speed: 300 km/h
- Range: 1970 km
- Maximum Range: 2,278 km
- Service ceiling: 6,670 m
Armament
- 1 x 7.7mm Type 92 Fixed Machine Gun (500 rounds) (probably in the nose)
- 1 x 7.7mm Type 92 movable machine gun at the rear of the cockpit (485 rounds)
Use in battles
Someone could ask why add such a hopeless plane to the game. The answer is simple, it can be added as a new class of aircraft - reconnaissance aircraft. Their task would be to detect bases in air battles or enemy convoys. In naval battles, they can also be used to detect enemy ships, bases or convoys. This aircraft is a rare case of an offensively armed Japanese reconnaissance aircraft that could initiate a rope for such aircraft.
Special thanks
Summary
The Nakajima C3N1 is an interesting aircraft for Japan in War Thunder. Although it would be a weak Rank 1 aircraft at the moment, it is possible that it could be added along with the air reconnaissance function, which will make this aircraft very important for the Japanese Air Force. 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
九七式艦上偵察機 - Wikipedia
Nakajima C3N - Wikipedia
Nakadžima C3N1 : Nakadžima
Nakajima C3N Navy Type 97 Carrier Reconnaissance Aircraft
Nakajima C3N
中島 九七式艦上偵察機
Nakajima C3N1 vu de l’arrière
Nakajima C3N1 Type 97 Info
Nakajima C3N Type 97 - Pacific Eagles
Уголок неба ¦ Nakajima C3N
Book sources
- Mikesh, Robert C.; Abe, Shorzoe (1990).Japanese Aircraft, 1910-1941 page 236-237
- Japońskie Samoloty Marynarki 1912-45 (Japanese naval aircraft 1912-45) page 100-101
Japońskie Samoloty Marynarki 1912-45 | PDF
Thank you for reading the suggestion, see you in the next one. Good luck pilots
