Aircraft History
Built by Aichi, estimated to have been assembled on January 17, 1943. It is unclear what unit this aircraft was assigned. Possibly, 582nd Kokutai, 552nd Kokutai or a Carrier Air Group.

Wartime History
Damaged on the ground at Gasmata Airfield, presumably with a bomb blast damaging the tail and forcing the aircraft onto its nose.

Recovery
Recovered in middle of 1973 by Douglas Hubbard, Jr. for the Nimitz Museum. Locals felt the wreck was stolen from them without premission. The Val was taken from Gasmata by landing craft, and transfered to HMAS Melbourne and then across the Paciifc, to to Long Beach Naval shipyard, and finally the Nimitz Museum in Texas.

Display
Displayed at National Museum of the Pacific War.

References
Pacific Aircraft Wrecks page 17 (center), page 37 (center)
"Serial Number & Production Sequence D3A2 Carrier Bombers" by Jim Long

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Last Updated
October 1, 2009

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