Nakajima A4N

Nakajima · Japan · first flew 1935 · fighter

The Nakajima A4N was the last biplane fighter to serve with the Imperial Japanese Navy, entering service in 1936 and representing the peak of Japanese biplane fighter development before the rapid shift to monoplanes. Despite its age-class, it was a capable performer for a biplane.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Mid-mounted, straight
E — Engines	1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	6.64 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Last biplane fighter of the Imperial Japanese Navy, replaced by the Mitsubishi A5M monoplane
Single-seat carrier-capable biplane with radial engine and fixed undercarriage
Saw combat in the Second Sino-Japanese War before rapid obsolescence

A compact single-bay biplane fighter with a large Nakajima radial engine, open cockpit, and fixed spatted undercarriage — the last expression of the IJN biplane fighter tradition.

Specifications

The Nakajima A4N has a length of 6.64 m (22 ft).
It has a wingspan of 10 m (33 ft).
Its maximum speed is 352 km/h (219 mph).
Typical crew: 1.

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

History

The A4N entered IJN carrier service in 1936 and saw combat during the early phases of the Second Sino-Japanese War from 1937. It was quickly superseded by the Mitsubishi A5M monoplane and removed from frontline service by 1940, though some continued in training roles.

Variants

The A4N1 was the primary production variant; no significantly different sub-types entered service.

Where you'll see it

Served aboard Japanese aircraft carriers and land bases with the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1936–40; combat experience in China accelerated its replacement by monoplane fighters.

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