The Nakajima A4N was a carrier-based fighter used by the Imperial Japanese Navy, and the last biplane designed by Nakajima. The first prototype was completed in 1934, but, due to engine trouble, the aircraft did not see service until 1936. Given the Nakajima internal designation Nakajima YM, but the Japanese Navy designation was Navy Type 95 Carrier Fighter. A total of 221 were built. The A4N was powered by the Nakajima Hikari 1 nine-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, coupled to a Hamilton two blade metal propeller, and it was armed with 7.7 mm caliber Type 97 machine guns. The aircraft was flown by one pilot.
In 1935, there was a combat trial of many aircraft, including the A4N, prototypes, and older aircraft, in which the A5M and Ki 10 prototype were considered the most maneuverable.
The Nakajima A4N1 was succeeded by the Mitsubishi A5M Type 96, a monoplane fighter.
Service
thumb|Nakajima A4N
The A4N was one of the aircraft types involved in the Panay incident, in which Japanese forces sunk the USS Panay river gunboat. Three Yokosuka B4Y Type 96 bombers and nine Nakajima A4N Type 95 fighters attacked the boat. In addition to bombing the Panay, they also strafed the lifeboat evacuating wounded to shore.