- Yes
- No
Northrop BXN1 (海軍ノースロップ2Eガンマ)
The Northrop BXN1, or by its full name Northrop Navy Experimental Type B, was a Northrop Gamma 2E aircraft purchased in 1933. This plane was a huge technological shock for the Japanese navy. Japan only had one Northrop BXN1, which was most likely lost after crashing into the ground.
History
In 1932, the Northrop Gamma aircraft was developed in the USA, which immediately attracted the interest of the Japanese Navy, as it was one of the most modern planes of that time. Japan managed to purchase one Northrop Gamma E2 in 1933 as a plane for studying technology. Around the same time, the Chinese bought their Gamma 2E aircraft. The Japanese Gamma 2E most likely arrived in Japan in 1934, and like any foreign aircraft tested by the Japanese, it received the appropriate designation, namely Northrop BXN1 (B - attack aircraft, X - experimental, N - manufacturer, in this case, Northrop). The design of the BXN1 aircraft was a shock to the Japanese aviation industry, which at that time was still offering planes with wooden or sometimes metal structures covered with fabric in a biplane layout. Compared to, for example, the Yokosuka B3Y1 or the Mitsubishi B2M2, the all-metal Northrop BXN1 with its completely metal construction in a monoplane layout was incredibly more modern. The BXN1 wasn’t just structurally advanced; it was also versatile. It could serve as a dive or level bomber as well as a reconnaissance aircraft. At that time, Japan didn’t yet have dive bombers in service (the Aichi D1A1 entered service at the end of 1934), and while Japanese naval bombers were used for reconnaissance, they couldn’t attack in a dive. In 1937, the Japanese realized the effectiveness of the Northrop Gamma 2E planes, which were used by the Chinese air forces (more about the Chinese Northrop Gamma 2E). The shock from the Northrop BXN1 plane led the Japanese Navy in 1935 to issue competition requirements for a new 10-Shi torpedo bomber, based on the BXN1’s specifications, even though the 9-Shi competition hadn’t even finished yet (which was won by the Yokosuka B4Y1). The 10-Shi competition for a new navy bomber resulted in the creation of the modern Nakajima B5N1 and Mitsubishi B5M1 by the end of 1936. In the meantime, the Northrop BXN1 plane crashed during an emergency landing. The plane was then seriously damaged and most likely scrapped. In 1937, Japan bought another Northrop Gamma 2F, but it was actually the Northrop XA-16 — but that’s another story.
Construction description
The Northrop BXN1 (Northrop Gamma 2E) is a metal-constructed, low-wing aircraft with fixed landing gear. The enclosed cockpit housed the pilot and a rear gunner/bombardier. The plane was equipped with a retractable bomb sight at the rear gunner’s station, used for horizontal bombing. The Northrop BXN1 was powered by a nine-cylinder Wright Cyclone SR-1820-F53 radial engine producing 750 hp, which drove a two-blade propeller. The aircraft is armed with two 7.62mm Browning M1919 machine guns in the wings and one movable 7.62mm Browning M1919 machine gun at the rear gunner’s position. Under the fuselage, the BXN1 could carry 450-500 kg of bombs, although some sources mention up to 727 kg of bombs.
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 8,79 m
- Wingspan: 14,63 m
- Height: 2,75 m
- Wing area: 33,7 m2
- Empty weight: 1745 kg
- Gross weight: 3445 kg
- Powerplant: 1 × Nine-cylinder Wright Cyclone SR-1820-F53 radial engine producing 750 hp
- Propellers: Two-blade propeller
Performance
- Maximum speed: 326 km/h
- Cruise Speed: ?
- Range: 800 km
- Maximum Range: ?
- Service ceiling: 7400 m
- Climb Rate: ?
- Time to Climb to: 4 min to 1525 m
Armament
- Guns:
- 2 x 7.62mm Browning M1919 fixed machine guns in the wings
- 1 x 7.62mm Browning M1919 movable machine guns at the rear of the cockpit
- Bombs:
- Payload 450-500 kg or 727 kg (?)
Summary
The Northrop BXN1 (Northrop Gamma 2E) is an interesting plane for Japan in War Thunder. This bomber would be a very useful support aircraft for Japan, offering strong bomb armament and a modern design. This plane works great along with its brother, the BXN2, for adding to the game as a premium plane that would support Japanese land or naval forces. This plane could also become an event vehicle. 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
A-17 (航空機) - Wikipedia
Northrop Gamma - Wikipedia
Northrop Gamma 2-E Bomber - Suggestions - Devs / Passed - War Thunder — official forum
Уголок неба ¦ Northrop Gamma
>Northrop Gamma 2E
プラモデル航空博物館
Book sources
- 日本航空機総集 輸入機篇 (Japan Aircraft Catalogue Imported Aircraft Edition) Shuppan Kyosha, 1972, page. 125-127
- 日本航空機辞典 1910年(明治43年)～1945年(昭和20年) 上巻 (Encyclopedia of Japanese Aircraft 1910 (Meiji 43) – 1945 (Showa 20), Volume 1) page 183
- Technika wojskowa historia numer specjalny 1/2026 (Military Technology: History Special Issue 1/2026) page 14-15
Thank you for reading the suggestion, see you in the next one. Good luck pilots
