Aichi Type 99 Carrier Bomber Kanbaku / D3A (Val)
Technical Information

Background
Built by Aichi. The Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) designation was Type 99 Carrier Bomber / Ku Ku Kamba (Kanbaku) / D3A Val. This low-wing monoplane had fixed landing gear. Its performance characteristics were not impressive, but well-trained Japanese pilots could use it as an effective dive bomber achieving great accuracy. Despite the lower speed of the Val it was highly maneuverable.

Wartime History
At the start of the Pacific War, the Val was the primary dive bomber operating aboard aircraft carriers or land based airfields.

D3A1 (Model 11)
The D3A1 Model 11 was the initial production design in use at the start of the Pacific War against Pearl Harbor and Philippines.

D3A2 (Model 22)
The first D3A2 Model 22 models were assembled in June 1942 and entered service in the later half of 1942.

Production
A total of 1,495 were built.

References
Notes on the Production Record of the Val by Jim Long

Technical Details (D3A2 Model 22)
Crew  Two (pilot, gunner)
Engine  1 x Mitsubishi Kinsei 54 14 cylinder radial engine with three bladed propeller
Wingspan  47' 2" / 14.365m
Length  33' 5" / 10.195m
Height  12' 7" / 3.847m
Maximum Speed  270 mph at 20,300'
Range  840 miles / 1,352 km
Armament  (nose) 2 x 7.7mm Type 97 machine guns (rear) 7.7mm Type 92 machine gun on a flexible mount
Bomb load  (centerline) 250 kg / 550 lb bomb (wings) 2 x 60 kg / 130 lb bombs under the wings