| A1N | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Fighter |
| Manufacturer | Nakajima |
| Designer | |
| Primary user | IJN Air Service |
| Number built | 151 |
| History | |
| Introduction date | 1929 |
| First flight | 12 December1927 |
| Retired | 1935 |
| Developed from | Gloster Gambet |
TheNakajima A1N, orNavy Type 3CarrierFighter, was a Japanese carrier-based fighter of the late-1920s and early-1930s. It was alicensed copy of theBritishGloster Gambet fighter, built by theNakajima Aircraft Company for theImperial Japanese Navy. Approximately 150 were built in two versions, the A1N1 and A1N2.
By 1926, theImperial Japanese Navy'sMitsubishi 1MF fighters (also known asType 10 Carrier Fighters) were in need of replacement, and so three of the leading Japanese aircraft manufacturers, Nakajima,Mitsubishi, andAichi were asked for proposals for a new carrier-based fighter.[1]
Nakajima purchased a licence from the BritishGloster Aircraft Company for production of the Gloster Gambet. It was a private venture design for a carrier-based derivative of their earlierGloster Gamecock fighter. Theprototype Gambet was built by Gloster and first flew on 12 December 1927.[2]
The prototype Gambet was shipped to Japan early in 1928. After modifications were made and it was fitted with a Nakajima-builtBristol Jupiter engine, the Gambet was evaluated by the Japanese navy against competitors from Aichi and Mitsubishi. It proved to be more manoeuvrable while still being a stable gun platform[1] and was selected in April 1929 for production as theNavy Type 3 Carrier Fighter, with the short designationA1N1.[3] 50 A1N1s were built.
TheA1N2 used the 336 kW (450 hp)Nakajima Kotobuki 2 engine and was introduced in 1930. Production of approximately 100 was completed by 1932.
The Gambet was a single-seat, single-baybiplane, of all-wooden construction and powered by an air-cooledBristol Jupiterradial engine. While similar to the Gamecock, it was fitted with longer-span wings, internal flotation bags, andarrestor hooks for carrier operations.
The A1N1 entered service in 1929, replacing the Mitsubishi 1-MF. It served on the carriersHōshō,Akagi,Kaga, andRyūjō.[4] The improvedA1N2 entered service in 1930, with production continuing until 1932.[1]
The A1N flew from the carriersHōshō andKaga during theShanghai Incident in 1932 between Japan and China. A1Ns fromKaga scored the Imperial Japanese Navy's first air-to-air combat victory on 22 February 1932 when they shot down aBoeing P-12 (specifically a Model 218, Prototype of the P-12E/F4B-3 variant, after evaluation sold to the Chinese Air Force) flown by the American volunteer pilot Robert Short.[4] A 15-aircraft formation composed ofMitsubishi B1Ms with A1N escorts attackedQiaosi Airbase in Hangzhou on 26 February 1932, engaging Chinese fighters in a dogfight, shooting down at least oneJunkers K 47.[5]
A1Ns continued in service until 1935,[6] being replaced in service by theNakajima A2N or Navy Type 90 Carrier Fighter.
Data from Japanese Aircraft 1910-1941[1]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
Related development
容克斯K-47首战上海: 1932年"1·28"事变爆发后，中国派出9架各型军机调往上海虹桥机场增援, 并与当日与日本发生空战, 但战斗双方都无损失. 2月26日集中在杭州附近乔司机场待命的我国25架战机突遭日军"中岛"3式战斗机和"中岛"13式攻击机组成的15机编队偷袭, 第2队队长石邦藩、射击手沈延世驾驶P-7号容克斯K-47双座战斗机率先起飞应敌, 淞沪之战以来最激烈的一场空战由此展开.
