Naval Aviation Factory N3N-3, the Yellow Peril
This N3N-1 was one of the “Yellow Perils” stationed at Annapolis, MD.
By: Norm Goyer
Shortly after World War II, the military sold off thousands of aircraft as surplus. I was one of the many pilots who purchased as many as I could. I loved the North American SNJs I had been flying, so I went for the high-end hardware while others, many just learning to fly, including small flying schools, purchased the primary trainers and liaison aircraft. I paid $650 each for two North American SNJ-6s with very low time and in excellent condition. I also bought a Ryan PT-22 for $400 which depleted my toy fund. I sure wish I had had the brains to fill several warehouses with prime condition fighters.
One of my flying friends purchased two Navy N3N-3 biplane primary trainers. They had 235 hp Wright radials and were very rugged aircraft. Most spray companies then installed a larger engine for added performance. My friend flew his for a few months, then promptly sold them to a gypsy moth spraying company for a few hundred bucks profit. Those two yellow Navy trainers were then converted to aerial applicator aircraft and spent the next several years dropping DDT on huge areas of the Berkshire Mountains in Western Massachusetts. I have flown a N3N many times and really didn’t like it as much as the PT-17, or even the WACO UPF-7, which was a real smooth-flying aircraft. I would compare the N3N to a Peterbilt truck, rugged as hell, but not a super flying aircraft. It was, however, an excellent primary trainer.
Most N3N-3 were on wheels and used at Naval flying schools for primary training.
The N3N was rather unique. It was the only aircraft built by a branch of the armed services, the Naval Aviation Factory in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The other
unique feature of the N3N was it was used at the Naval Academy until the 1960s, the longest use of any biplane in any branch of the military. The ones at the Academy were single float seaplanes; they were used to give the future line officers a taste of Naval Aviation, the old fashioned way. Similar to the Coast Guard taking the cadets out in sailing ships. It was at the Academy that the cadets tagged the N3Ns with the “Yellow Peril” nickname. It wasn’t a very popular requisite for the cadets. While I was going through Naval flight training I often wondered why I was learning to tie knots, learn the “rules of the road” and other naval subjects that were simply not related to flying. But, you know, years later, it all paid off. I can tie a great bowline and a sheepshank and I call it a line (never a rope). The line at the bow (never front) of the boat is a paint. Beats me, but it stuck. John Paul Jones must be very happy.
The N.A.F. delivered over 900 N3N aircraft beginning in 1935. A few were N3N-1s and over 750 were N3N-3s. Four N3N-3s were delivered to the United States Coast Guard in 1941. Production ended in January 1942, but the type remained in use through World War II.
Specifications:
General characteristics
· Crew: 2
· Length: 25 ft 6 in
· Wingspan: 34 ft 0 in
· Height: 10 ft 10 in
· Wing area: 305 ft²
· Empty weight: 2,090 lb
· Gross weight: 2,792 lb
· Powerplant: Wright R-760-2 Whirlwind radial, 235 hp
Performance
· Maximum speed: 126 mph
· Range: 470 miles
· Service ceiling: 15,200 ft
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