Naval Aircraft Factory N3N

The N3N was introduced in 1936 as a biplane 2 seat military trainer. The Naval Aircraft Factory was a government run manufacturing facility organized during World War 1 to build aircraft for the U.S. Navy.

The N3N was adopted along with the Boeing Stearman as a primary trainer for the US Navy. It holds the distinction of being the last biplane in service with the U.S. military, the last aircraft being retired in 1961.

After World War 2 military surplus aircraft were sold to civilians and many N3Ns were put to use performing agricultural spraying.

Use as an air tanker

In 1956 several N3Ns being used for agricultural spraying in California were converted into air tankers. N3Ns would continue to be used into the 1960s when more capable air tankers started to be available that made small biplanes like the N3N obsolete.

Naval Aircraft Factory N3N


 * Manufacturer: Naval Aircraft Factory
 * Crew: 1
 * Payload: 150 to 200 gallons (567 to 756 liters) of water or fire retardant
 * Gross Weight: 2792 pounds (1266 kg)
 * Cruising Speed: 90 mph (145 kph)
 * Range: 470 miles (756 km)
 * Wing Span: 34 feet (10.36 m)
 * Engine: Wright R-760 radial piston engine, 235 horsepower (175 kW)