The D1A was a Japanese carrier-based dive bomber introduced in the
mid 1930's, based on the earlier German Heinkel He 50. The open cockpit
biplane saw use in China but by December 1941, most still in service
were only used as trainers; some 70 were used as combat aircraft in
second line units into 1942. A total of 590 D1A's were built, 428 of
the -2 version. The D1A was given the Allied code name of "Susie".
The D1A2 uses 24.5 gallons of aviation fuel per hour at routine usage.
Aichi D1A2
Subassemblies: Medium Fighter chassis +3, Recon Fighter Wings
with Biplane option +2, three fixed wheels +0.
Powertrain: 545-kW aerial HP gasoline engine w/545-kW old prop
and 123-gallon standard fuel tank [Body].
Occupancy: 2 XCS Cargo: 2.
Armor
Body/Wings: 2/2C
Equipment
Body: Medium radio receiver and transmitter, navigation
instruments,
autopilot, arrestor hook, 551-lb hardpoint Wings: 66-lb
hardpoint
under each.
Statistics
| Size: 31'x37'x11' | Payload : 1.18 tons | Lwt: 2.87 tons |
| Volume: 144 | Maint.: 53 hours | Price: $14,400 |
HT: 9
HP: 120 [body], 135 [each wing], 12 [each wheel]
| aSpeed: 192 |
aAccel: 5 |
aDecel: 36 | aMR: 8.25 | aSR: 2 |
Design Notes
The historical wing area (376 sf) has been used. Loaded weight was
increased by 9%.
Variants
The D1A1 used a 433-kW engine (165 mph). All 162 were retired by
December 1941.
The Heinkel He 50 was generally similar, with some important
differences. It lacked the arrestor gear, the nose guns and the wing
bomb racks. The rear MG was a MG 17. It was powered by a 485-kW engine
giving aSpeed 146. Around 80 were built but were gradually replaced by
newer aircraft such as the Hs 123 and Ju 87. A small number, at the
time being used as trainers, were pressed into service as nuissance
night bombers in 1942-44.