Aichi D3A

The Aichi D3A (Navy designation "Type 99 Carrier Bomber"; Allied reporting name "Val") is a World War II carrier-borne dive bomber. It was the primary dive bomber of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) and was involved in almost all IJN actions, including the attack on Pearl Harbor.

D3A
Aichi D3A1 from carrier Akagi.
Role Carrier-based dive bomber
Manufacturer Aichi Kokuki KK
First flight January 1938
Introduction 1940
Retired 1945
Primary user Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service
Number built 1,495
(479 D3A1)
(1016 D3A2)
Developed into Yokosuka D3Y Myōjo

The Aichi D3A was the first Japanese aircraft to bomb American targets in the war, commencing with Pearl Harbor and U.S. bases in the Philippines, such as Clark Air Force Base. They sank more Allied warships than any other Axis aircraft.

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