Aichi AB-3
Aichi · Japan · first flew 1932 · reconnaissance aircraft
The Aichi AB-3 was a Japanese ship-board single-seat reconnaissance floatplane of the 1930s, designed to equip the Chinese light cruiser Ning Hai.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 6.6 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Single-seat, single-engine biplane on twin floats
- Single-bay wings of mixed wood and metal construction that detach for shipboard storage
- Seven-cylinder Gasuden Jimpu radial engine
A small twin-float biplane with wings that detach for storage.
Specifications
- The Aichi AB-3 has a length of 6.6 m (22 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 9 m (30 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 194 km/h (121 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The designer Tetsuo Miki based it on his AB-2 two-seat floatplane. The prototype was completed in January 1932 and first flew that February, exceeding the specification in every way, powered by a 130 hp Gasuden Jimpu.
Variants
There were no variants: only one was built.
Where you'll see it
The Chinese navy accepted the prototype, but no more were ordered. China instead built a similar locally designed aircraft, the Ning Hai, with the same engine.
Related aircraft
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 5,226 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.