Naval Aircraft Factory N3N-1

Naval Aircraft Factory · USA · first flew 1935 · light aircraft

The N3N-1 was the first production variant of the Naval Aircraft Factory N3N, a biplane primary trainer affectionately known as the Yellow Peril that served as the Navy's principal ab initio trainer throughout World War II.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, straight
E — Engines	1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	7.77 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

Yellow Peril biplane trainer, first production variant
US Navy primary trainer N3N series
Open-cockpit tandem biplane with radial engine

Classic biplane trainer with equal-span wings, open tandem cockpits, a prominent radial engine, and the bright yellow training scheme — essentially identical in outline to the N3N-3 but with the earlier Wright J-5 engine installation.

Specifications

The Naval Aircraft Factory N3N-1 has a length of 7.77 m (25 ft).
It has a wingspan of 10.01 m (33 ft).
Its maximum speed is 206 km/h (128 mph).
Typical crew: 2.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Designed and built at the Naval Aircraft Factory in Philadelphia, the N3N first flew in 1935 and entered production as the N3N-1 with a Wright J-5 engine; it was one of the few military aircraft designed and produced entirely by a government factory.

Variants

The N3N-1 was followed by the definitive N3N-3 with a Wright R-760 engine and detail refinements; both variants could be fitted with floats for water-based training.

Where you'll see it

Served as the US Navy's standard primary trainer from 1936 through the end of World War II; the N3N was the last biplane to serve in the US military, retiring from the Naval Academy sailing programme in 1961.

Related aircraft

AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 5,024 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.