D3A2 Type 99, 3178
History
Aichi D3A2 Serial 3178 was produced during the height of the Pacific War, around 1942. Like many aircraft of this era, detailed records of its individual combat history are somewhat lacking, but it is believed to have been part of Japan's carrier-based air wings, potentially participating in some of the major battles early in the Pacific conflict.
The D3A2 was primarily stationed aboard aircraft carriers, operating from vessels like the Akagi and Kaga during key battles. Serial 3178 likely participated in several raids on Allied naval and air forces, attacking supply ships, airfields, and other strategic targets. Like many dive bombers during the war, it was subject to constant threats from Allied fighters, and as the war wore on, these aircraft became increasingly vulnerable as Allied forces gained the upper hand in terms of air superiority.
Though Serial 3178's specific missions are not well-documented, it is part of a larger group of aircraft that participated in the early successes of Japan's naval strategy. Given its age and historical context, it would have experienced some of the most intense moments of World War II's Pacific theater.
After the conclusion of the Pacific War in 1945, most of the surviving Aichi D3A2 dive bombers were either scrapped or abandoned in the Pacific, but Serial 3178 managed to survive. Like many other Japanese warplanes, the aircraft was eventually recovered, though its specific post-war history remains unclear.
The plane was later discovered in a relatively intact state, and it was one of the few Vals that managed to survive the war. It was restored to its original condition by aviation enthusiasts, eventually finding a place in the collection of the Planes of Fame Air Museum in Chino, California, where it serves as a rare and precious reminder of the Pacific War.