Naval Aircraft Factory N3N-3
Naval Aircraft Factory · USA · first flew 1936 · light aircraft
The N3N-3 was the principal production variant of the Naval Aircraft Factory's Yellow Peril biplane trainer, distinguished from the N3N-1 by its Wright R-760 radial engine and serving as the backbone of Navy primary flight training in 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 definitive production trainer
- Main production N3N with Wright R-760 engine
- Open tandem biplane, last US military biplane
Open-cockpit equal-span biplane with a cowled Wright radial, bright yellow trainer scheme, and interchangeable wheel or float undercarriage — visually identical to the N3N-1, distinguished by the R-760 engine cowling.
Specifications
- The Naval Aircraft Factory N3N-3 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
Produced in larger numbers than the N3N-1, the N3N-3 became the standard Navy primary trainer at NAS Pensacola and other training stations; over a thousand were built at the Naval Aircraft Factory and they trained the majority of Navy and Marine Corps pilots who flew in World War II.
Variants
The N3N-3 was the final and most numerous production mark; both landplane and floatplane configurations were operated, with the floatplane version used extensively at Pensacola for water-based training.
Where you'll see it
Remained in US Navy service from the late 1930s through 1945 for pilot training; uniquely, N3N-3s continued to serve at the US Naval Academy as sailing support aircraft until 1961, making them the last biplanes in US military service.
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- Naval Aircraft Factory N3N-1
- Naval Aircraft Factory XN3N-2
- Naval Aircraft Factory SON-1 Seagull
- Naval Aircraft Factory SBN-1
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- British Aircraft Double Eagle
- Caudron C.680
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