Aichi AB-3

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The Aichi AB-3 was a small Japanese reconnaissance floatplane from the early 1930s. It was a single-seat, single-engine biplane with two floats and detachable wings, built from mixed wood and metal. Designed by Tetsuo Miki and developed from the AB-2, it was created to equip the Chinese navy’s Ning Hai-class light cruisers that were being built in Japan.

Only one AB-3 was ordered. The prototype was completed in January 1932 and first flew in February 1932, proving to have excellent performance and meeting its requirements. The Chinese Navy accepted the prototype, but no more AB-3s were produced. Instead, China built a locally designed aircraft, the Ning Hai, using the same 130 hp Gasuden Jimpu engine.

The AB-3 was designed to operate from ships with a small hangar and to carry one of two seaplanes per ship, aiding storage on board.