Mitsubishi A5M “Claude” (1937) Imperial Japanese Navy, 1085 built The main IJN fighter in 1940 The Mitsubish A5M (allied designation “claude”) was until the arrival of the legendary “zeke”, the main Japanese Imperial Navy Fighter. Designed alongside the Army Fighter Nakajima Nakajima Ki-27 “Nate”, this was the first generation monoplane of this type, supremely agile, … Read more
Fairey Seal (1930) RNAS/FAA 1930-36: 90 built. The Fairey Seal was designed and built by Fairey Aviation, first flying in 1930, entered service with the Fleet Air Arm in 1933. Only 91 were produced, many also exported. Although largely forgotten today, this model was a derivative of the Fairey III, sharing practically everything but the … Read more
Aichi D1A “Susie” (1934) Imperial Japanese Navy, 590 built The last IJN biplane dive bomber The Aichi D1A/D2A “Susie” was a reliable, modern dive bomber biplane in service with the IJN from 1935 to 1940 (1942 with Mandchukuo). It was the direct predecessor of the D3A “Val” monoplane of WW2 fame, and still served in … Read more
USN WW2 carrier-borne fighter Main USN fighter 1941-43: 7,885 built 1940-1945 The frontline USN fighter until 1943 The Wildcat had the difficult task of carrying out the defense of the last USN assets in the Pacific after Pearl Harbor. But also to defend British aircraft carriers, for long deprived of a satisfying naval fighter. It … Read more
Imperial Japanese Navy, 148 built The 1930s IJN naval fighter The Nakajima A4N was a carrier-based fighter, last biplane by Nakajima. The first prototype was completed in 1934, but engine issues delayed the entry service until 1936. It was internally called Nakajima YM (factory designation), or Navy Type 95 Carrier Fighter. In all, 221 were … Read more
Fairey IIIF (1927) RNAS/FAA 1917-42: 964 built all types combined. The Fairey III: A two world wars veteran The biplane formula seemed to the interwar engineers the only one really fitting aeronautics at large, for all its advantages. So much so that some in 1938 still believed the monoplanes were a mere “fad” and everybody … Read more
Grumman FF (1932) Two seat multirole naval aircraft 1931-1945 – 175 built* About Leroy Grumman & the navy The Founder: Leroy Grumman Leroy Grumman was born in Huntington, New York. His father George Tyson Grumman, owned a carriage shop and later worked at the post office. Early years and WWI “Red Mike” as a youngster … Read more
Mitsubishi B1M (1924) Imperial Japanese Navy, 443 built The main IJN torpedo bomber of the interwar The Mitsubishi B1M was a Japanese torpedo bomber of the 1920s. It lasted in service more than planned, and contributed to shape Imperial Japanese navy early carrier-borne strikes tactics. It was originally designated the 2MT, and was designed by … Read more
Grumman J2F (1936) US Navy, 584 built Ungainly but popular, the “Duck” The Grumman J2F Duck (G-15) was a single-engine amphibious biplane used by the USN, Marines, Coast Guard and Air Force from 1937 to the 1950 in air-sea rescue notably by South America but also long after by many independent civilian operators. With its … Read more
Curtiss SOC Seagull (1934) USN Observation Biplane 1935-1940 (322 built) Curtiss’ standard observation plane During the last five years preceding the war, a transitional Observation biplane was carried by most USN warships, from battleships to cruisers, just being replaced by more modern models such as the Douglas Kingfisher. Between limited squadrons per ship (2-3), and … Read more
