Yellow Peril
In 1934 the Naval Aircraft Factory in Philadelphia was tasked to manufacture a new primary trainer for the US Navy. Following successful tests, this little all-metal open-cockpit biplane trainer was built in both land and seaplane versions. The Navy initially ordered 179 N3N-1 models, and the factory began producing more than 800 N3N-3 models in 1938. US Navy primary flight training schools used N3Ns extensively throughout World War II. A few of the seaplane version were retained for primary training at the US Naval Academy. In 1961 they became the last biplanes retired from US military service.
The N3N's nickname, 'Yellow Peril', came from the aircraft's propensity for "ground looping" on landing. The narrow landing gear, only 72.5 inches from the centreline of each tyre, did not provide much lateral stability at higher touchdown speeds. Many naval aviation cadets learned about this feature the hard way during primary flight training.
The engine was started by using a hand crank. The crank was inserted and vigorously turned until the inertia flywheel achieved sufficient momentum and the starter T-handle was pulled. Taxiing the N3N required a series of 'S' turns because forward visibility was partially blocked by the engine.
This N3N-3 was transferred from Cherry Point to Annapolis in 1946, where it served as a seaplane trainer. It was restored and displayed at the Naval Academy Museum before being transferred to the National Air and Space Museum for display at the Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA. where I took this shot in 2012.
Yellow Peril
In 1934 the Naval Aircraft Factory in Philadelphia was tasked to manufacture a new primary trainer for the US Navy. Following successful tests, this little all-metal open-cockpit biplane trainer was built in both land and seaplane versions. The Navy initially ordered 179 N3N-1 models, and the factory began producing more than 800 N3N-3 models in 1938. US Navy primary flight training schools used N3Ns extensively throughout World War II. A few of the seaplane version were retained for primary training at the US Naval Academy. In 1961 they became the last biplanes retired from US military service.
The N3N's nickname, 'Yellow Peril', came from the aircraft's propensity for "ground looping" on landing. The narrow landing gear, only 72.5 inches from the centreline of each tyre, did not provide much lateral stability at higher touchdown speeds. Many naval aviation cadets learned about this feature the hard way during primary flight training.
The engine was started by using a hand crank. The crank was inserted and vigorously turned until the inertia flywheel achieved sufficient momentum and the starter T-handle was pulled. Taxiing the N3N required a series of 'S' turns because forward visibility was partially blocked by the engine.
This N3N-3 was transferred from Cherry Point to Annapolis in 1946, where it served as a seaplane trainer. It was restored and displayed at the Naval Academy Museum before being transferred to the National Air and Space Museum for display at the Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA. where I took this shot in 2012.