Aichi D3A - Part Four

Thanks to their maneouvrability, as the war progressed, many Vals were pushed into the role of interceptors where they survived thanks to the initially mentioned maneouvrability.
In june 1942 the prototype on an improved version was tested, it was powered by a 1299hp Kinsei 54 engine. However, as that engine was more powerful, the aircraft's range was reduced so additional fuel tanks were added in order to make it to reach the Salomon islands. It was known as the Aichi D3A2 and it started to replace the D3A1 in autumn 1942, rendering the D3A1 obsolete and being sent to training units.
When the better Yokosuka D4Y Suisei entered into service, the D3A2 were destined to land-based units or to smaller carriers where the Suisei couldn't operate due to it's fast landings. The D3A2 were actively employed by the Japanese in the Battle of the Philippines in late 1944 but, as they were seriously outdated, they suffered heavy casualties. By that date, both D3A1 and D3A2 were relegated to training duties in homeland Japan, where some units were modified into dual-control airplanes (we haven't found any pic or blueprint about that version though) and some of them were employed in kamikaze missions.

Sources:
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aichi_D3A
2. http://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=296