Naval Aircraft Factory N3N-3 "Yellow Peril"
NAF N3N-3, V196; Original caption: "Note the canvas instrument flying hood attached to the rear seat. A rugged plane, the 'Yellow Perils' were the curse and the salvation of thousands of fledgling aviators"; no date/photo number, photographer unknown; on tarmac, view from starboard front-quarter.
Historical Information:
The Navy developed the N3N as a training aircraft in 1934. Manufactured by the Naval Aircraft Factory in Philadelphia, the N3N was a biplane built with a fabric-covered, bolted steel-tube fuselage. The wings were all metal with a fabric covering as well.
The Coast Guard acquired four of the trainers from the Navy beginning in December, 1940 by trading four Grumman JF-2 "Ducks." The primary reason for the trade was an effort by the Coast Guard to expedite pilot training, which was expanding during this time in anticipation of war. The new trainers were given the tail numbers V193-V196. At least one was assigned to station operations at the Coast Guard air station at St. Petersburg, FL, from 8 March 1934 to 31 August 1944.
Sources:
Arthur Pearcy, U.S. Coast Guard Aircraft Since 1916 (Annapolis: Naval Institute Press, 1991), pp. 320-321.
Gordon Swanborough & Peter M. Bowers. United States Navy Aircraft Since 1911 (Annapolis: Naval Institute Press, 1990) (revised), pp. 432-435.