Difference between revisions of "D3A1"

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Revision as of 18:44, 16 April 2021

Rank 6 USA
F-5C Pack
d3a1.png
GarageImage D3A1.jpg
D3A1
Research:4 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:2 100 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The D3A1 is a rank I Japanese dive bomber with a battle rating of 1.3 (AB/RB/SB). It has been in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.27.

General info

Flight performance

Arrestor gear
Accelerates braking by grabbing the brake cable on the deck of the aircraft carrier
Air brakes
Allows you to dramatically reduce the flight speed by releasing special flaps
Max speed
at 3 900 m430 km/h
Turn time29 s
Max altitude10 500 m
EngineMitsubishi Kinsei 44
TypeRadial
Cooling systemAir
Take-off weight4 t
Characteristics Max Speed
(km/h at 3,900 m)
Max altitude
(metres)
Turn time
(seconds)
Rate of climb
(metres/second)
Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 417 408 10500 30.0 30.6 6.4 6.4 232
Upgraded 443 430 28.5 29.2 11.1 8.6

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear
Limits
Wings (km/h) Gear (km/h) Flaps (km/h) Max Static G
Combat Take-off Landing + -
600 650 458 429 280 ~12 ~4
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< 330 < 360 < 380 > 315
Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude 100% Engine power WEP Engine power
1,700 m 1,065 hp 1,118 hp

Survivability and armour

Crew2 people
Speed of destruction
Structural600 km/h
Gear650 km/h

The D3A1 lacks any armour protection, but its three fuel tanks are self-sealing. One is located beneath the pilot, and the other two are in the wings, one in each wing. The gunner is exposed (his head sticks out of the aircraft).

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB226 → 284 Sl icon.png
RB319 → 402 Sl icon.png
SB429 → 540 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications4 440 Rp icon.png
2 670 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost300 Ge icon.png
Crew training600 Sl icon.png
Experts2 100 Sl icon.png
Aces45 Ge icon.png
Research Aces110 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
20 / 40 / 80 % Sl icon.png
100 / 100 / 100 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods aerodinamic fuse.png
Fuselage repair
Research:
300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
180 Sl icon.png
55 Ge icon.png
Mods radiator.png
Radiator
Research:
300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
180 Sl icon.png
55 Ge icon.png
Mods compressor.png
Compressor
Research:
330 Rp icon.png
Cost:
200 Sl icon.png
60 Ge icon.png
Mods aerodinamic wing.png
Wings repair
Research:
370 Rp icon.png
Cost:
220 Sl icon.png
70 Ge icon.png
Mods new engine.png
Engine
Research:
370 Rp icon.png
Cost:
220 Sl icon.png
70 Ge icon.png
Mods metanol.png
Engine injection
Research:
480 Rp icon.png
Cost:
290 Sl icon.png
90 Ge icon.png
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Research:
330 Rp icon.png
Cost:
200 Sl icon.png
60 Ge icon.png
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Research:
480 Rp icon.png
Cost:
290 Sl icon.png
90 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
type89_belt_pack
Research:
300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
180 Sl icon.png
55 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods weapon.png
type97_new_gun
Research:
330 Rp icon.png
Cost:
200 Sl icon.png
60 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
type92_turret_belt_pack
Research:
370 Rp icon.png
Cost:
220 Sl icon.png
70 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods turret gun.png
type92_turret_new_gun
Research:
480 Rp icon.png
Cost:
290 Sl icon.png
90 Ge icon.png
  • When grinding the D3A1 it's preferred to focus on grinding for the performance as the bomb load is already unlocked. The armaments should be focus last as performance is the key trait of the D3A1.

Armaments

Offensive armament

Ammunition1 800 rounds
Fire rate900 shots/min
Main article: Type 97 navy (7.7 mm)

The D3A1 is armed with:

  • 2 x 7.7 mm Type 97 navy machine guns, nose-mounted (900 rpg = 1,800 total)

Suspended armament

List of setups (1)
Setup 12 x 60 kg Navy Type 97 Number 6 ground bomb
1 x 250 kg Navy Type Number 25 Model 2 bomb

The D3A1 can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

  • Without load
  • 1 x 250 kg Navy Type Number 25 Model 2 bomb + 2 x 60 kg Navy Type 97 Number 6 bombs (370 kg total)

Defensive armament

Turret7.7 mm Type 92 machine gun
Ammunition1000 rounds
Fire rate600 shots/min
Main article: Type 92 (7.7 mm)

The D3A1 is defended by:

  • 1 x 7.7 mm Type 92 machine gun, dorsal turret (1,000 rpg)

Usage in battles

The D3A1 is Japan's early dive bomber, a highly manoeuvrable aircraft that is able to outturn a lot of enemies and avoid bursts of fire. Having a small turn radius gives the D3A1 a chance to defend itself by getting on the tail of enemy, but if the enemy is smart enough and doesn't try to turn with the D3A1, they can run away from the D3A1 after it has lost a bit of speed in turning around to get on the tail. But the D3A1 can still get in a couple of hits.

D3A1 is capable of carrying a modest bomb load which is similar to early versions of Ju 87. But it's also similar in terms of firepower as well with 2 x 7.7 mm Type 97 navy machine guns which can be used to defend itself from enemies, but also strafe light targets like AA/howitzer postions and light armoured vehicles like trucks and SPAA. D3A1 also has a defensive Type 92 machine gun mounted on the back, the gunner has an impressive area of cover which eliminates most dead zones that other dive bombers and some bombers have.

Main use of the D3A1 is dive bombing, that is where its strength lies, knocking out ground targets in ground battles or the AI targets in air battles, being able to dive near ground using the air brakes for accurate drop of bombs. After dropping bombs the D3A1 can be used as a fighter, but keep in mind that it has a relatively unprotected pilot and gunner, which makes it easy for enemy fighters and vehicles on the ground with AA-mounted machine guns to knock these out. The plane does not react well to being hit as well but it can still function relatively well even when damaged and can still put up a fight. Aircraft and vehicles equipped with 12.7 mm and above will make a quick work of the D3A1 either by getting the pilots or vital parts of the plane but also to set it on fire. 7.92 mm and below can also pose a threat if there is more than 1 mainly.

Enemies to be aware of:

These kinds of enemies can easily outclimb and outspeed the D3A1 except the I-153 which can outturn D3A1 with ease. But the rest possesses greater firepower and speed than the D3A1 being able to Boom-n-Zoom the plane and run away fast, giving the D3A1 no chance to defend itself with its offensive machine guns.

Tip for taking off in simulator battles

Hands-off carrier take-off (Auto engine control, no secondary weapons):

  • Start engine
  • Flaps: raised
  • Elevator trim: 8% up
  • Aileron trim: 0%
  • Rudder trim: 21% right
  • WEP throttle
  • hands off controls until your plane lifts off the carrier.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer Pitch Radiator Supercharger Turbocharger
Oil Water Type
Not controllable Controllable
Not auto controlled
Not controllable
Not auto controlled
Controllable
Not auto controlled
Combined Not controllable
1 gear
Not controllable

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • D3A for Carrier-based dive bomber:
    • 250 kg + 2 x 60 kg
    • Bomber airspawn
    • Airbrakes
  • Common Navy plane construction:
    • Nose mounted armament
    • Excellent manoeuvrability

Cons:

  • D3A for Carrier-based dive bomber:
    • Has bomb cradle, significant delay in fuselage bomb drop
    • Not good for bombing bases
  • Common Navy plane construction:
  • D3A1 Specific:
    • Payload is rather weak

History

In-game description

The single-engine carrier-based Aichi D3A dive bomber, a metal-construction monoplane, was created by order of Japan's Supreme Command of Naval Aviation to replace the obsolete D1A biplane. The shape of the wing and tail, as well as the presence of special dive brake flaps, came from the German aircraft company Heinkel, which was in active partnership with Aichi.

A D3A prototype was ready in late 1937, and mass production of the D3A1 began in 1940. A Kinsey 43 engine producing 1000 horsepower was used, and the aircraft's armament consisted of two synchronous 7.7 mm machine guns over the engine and one hand-operated machine gun with the radio operator at the rear of the cab. The wings had folding wingtips and duralumin sheeting, and the ailerons and flaps were covered with fabric.

During the first half of the Second World War, the D3A, along with the B5N Kate, were the main strike force of the Japanese fleet. At the time the D3A1 could be considered one of the best dive-bombers in the world. No other dive bomber had characteristics that were even close, until the arrival of the American Dauntless and Helldiver.

All in all, 470 D3A1s were produced.

Media

Skins
Videos

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

  • reference to the series of the aircraft;
  • links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links


Aichi Aircraft Company, Limited (愛知航空機株式会社)
Bombers  D3A1
  B7A2 · B7A2 (Homare 23)
Recon  E13A1

Japan bombers
Navy 
Carrier-based attack bomber 
B5N  B5N2
B6N  B6N1 · B6N2 · B6N2a
B7A  B7A2 · B7A2 (Homare 23)
Carrier-based dive bomber 
D3A  D3A1
D4Y  D4Y1 · D4Y2 · D4Y3 Ko
Shipboard Observation seaplane 
F1M  F1M2
Land-based Attack bomber 
G4M  G4M1
G5N  G5N1
G8N  G8N1
Flying boat 
H6K  H6K4
H8K  H8K2 · H8K3
Land-based Bomber 
P1Y  P1Y1
Army 
Light  Ki-32
  Ki-48-II otsu
Heavy  Ki-21-Ia · Ki-21-I hei
  Ki-49-I · Ki-49-IIa · Ki-49-IIb · Ki-49-IIb/L
  Ki-67-I Ko · Ki-67-I otsu
Other countries  ▅B-17E