Naval Aircraft Factory aircraft models

Naval Aircraft Factory aircraft in the FAA registry

The Naval Aircraft Factory (NAF) was established by the United States Navy in 1918 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was created to help solve aircraft supply issues which the Navy Department faced upon the entry of the U.S. into World War I. The United States Army’s requirements for an enormous quantity of airplanes created a decided lack of interest among aircraft manufacturers in the Navy's requirements for a comparatively small quantity of aircraft.

Registered fleet overview

Data from the FAA registry, current as of 2026-10-16, lists 145 registered aircraft under the manufacturer name "NAVAL AIRCRAFT FACTORY". Of these, 144 registrations are valid. All 145 aircraft are fixed-wing, single-engine models powered by reciprocating engines. The majority of these aircraft were built between 1938 and 1960, with half of them constructed in 1941 or earlier.

The fleet is dominated by a single distinct model: the N3N-3. This model accounts for all 145 registered aircraft. Production for the N3N-3 spanned from 1939 to 1960, and each variant is a two-seat aircraft. The Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS) A-2-569, held by the Naval Aircraft Factory, covers the N3N-3 model.

Geographically, California holds the most registrations with 31 aircraft, followed by Washington with 16, and Oregon with 9. In terms of airworthiness, 80 aircraft are classified as standard, 47 as restricted, and 6 as experimental. Each registered aircraft has a unique N-number record, and each model page provides specifications and the relevant TCDS for reference.

Figures from the FAA registry file as of Oct 16, 2026. Company background: Wikipedia, Naval Aircraft Factory.