Aichi D3A2 Navy Type 99 Carrier Bomber 35-209

Aichi D3A2 Navy Type 99 Carrier Bomber Model 22 (Allied reporting name "Val") of 35th Kōkūtai, Imperial Japanese Navy, September 24th 1942.  Unknown crew.

The Aichi D3A was the primary dive bomber of the Imperial Japanese Navy, participating in most of the actions of the Imperial Japanese Navy from its entry into the Pacific War onwards. Designed to the 11-Shi specification to replace the aging Aichi D1A1 and D1A2 dive bombers in 1936, its design was inspired by the Heinkel He 70 Blitz, from which the D3A's eliptical wings were derived.  Originally powered by the Nakajima Hikari 1 radial engine, the prototype first flew in January 1938, but its performance proved to be disappointing.  Further development work, including the substitution of the original engine by a more powerful Mitsubishi Kinsei 3, and an improved and enlarged vertical tail to improve directional stability, were required before the D3A1 was selected by the IJN as its new standard carrier-borne dive bomber.  The type was officially ordered in December of 1939: by this time, further improvements such as the use of Kinsei 43 and 44 engines, and the fitting of a dorsal fin-strake, had finally cured the original prototype's issues.

After carrier qualification trials during 1940, the D3A1 made its combat debut over China, where the type was operated from land bases. However, the type first came to attention when it participated in the attacks on US armed forces based both on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and in the Philippines.  During the first 10 months of the war, the D3A1 variant took part in all of the Japanese Navy's major carrier deployments, sinking more Allied warships than any other type.  Additionally, it's manoeuverability allowed the type to serve as an interim fighter type.

However, as a type, the D3A1 was already considered outdated even as the War broke out.  Efforts were made to improve the Aichi D3A: the installation of a more powerful Mitsubishi Kinsei 54 and increased fuel capacity extended the type's range, allowing it to be used in such combat theatres as the Solomon Islands.  This new variant, the D3A2 or Model 22, entered frontline service in the autumn of 1942, after which the earlier D3A1 variant was gradually retired.

In combat, the Aichi D3A2 was replaced by the more capable and quicker Yokosuka D4Y Suisei; however the D3A2 remained in use from land bases or smaller carriers which were unsuited to handle the D4Y.  During the last year of the Pacific War, the D3A2 remained in service, fighting both in the Philippines campaign as well as serving with the Japanese Homeland Defence, where the type was increasingly used for Special Assault (Kamikaze) Missions.

In all, 1495 D3A dive bombers were built, including 479 D3A1 Model 11 and 1016 D3A2 Model 22 airframes.  Of these, just three have been preserved: one intact airframe is held by the Planes of Fame Museum in Chino, California, which is restoring it to airworthy condition; the remains of two wrecked D3A's are held by the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, Texas.

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The 35th Kōkūtai was formed at Takao, Formosa, on February 1st 1942, and was assigned to Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia on February 6th 1942.  Even though the unit was primarily based there, it also held brief detachments at Jogjakarta, Balikpapan, Kupang, Kendari and Waingapu.

The 35th Kōkūtai's principle assignment was in the anti-submarine patrol role, although they were also frequently requested upon to assist in clearing pockets of resistance, such as the Australians on Timor.  The unit was also partly responsible for the destruction of the Australian W Class destroyer HMAS Voyager, which had grounded at Betano Bay, Timor on September 23rd 1942; while trying to refloat she was spotted by Japanese reconnaissance aircraft, and the D3A divebombers of the 35th Kōkūtai attacked her, causing severe damage which resulted in the crew's decision to scuttle the ship.

The 35th Kōkūtai became the 956th Kōkūtai on November 1st 1942, at which time 10 of her 12 aircraft were loaded aboard the Taiyō-class escort carrier Un'yō, which carried them to Rabaul where they arrived on November 10th 1942.  Not long after its arrival, the 956th Kōkūtai itself was deactivated, and its aircraft were absorbed by the 582nd Kōkūtai.  As the records of both the 582nd and 956th Kōkūtai were subsequently lost, it is impossible to ascertain what became of 35-209 after her transfer.

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1/72 Fujimi 7A-F8
Inventory number 1114 - purchased September 11th 2016
Twelfth model completed in 2017
579 aircraft still on 'to do' list.