Although only two examples were built, they were both used operationally, carrying out land-based reconnaissance missions during the Second Sino-Japanese War.
The Type S was a low-winged, single-engined monoplane of all metal construction with upward folding wings for ease of stowage aboard carriers.
Unlike the B5N, its undercarriage was of fixed tailwheel type with spatted main wheels.
[1] The two C3N-1s were sent to China for tactical evaluation in 1937, during the early months of the Second Sino-Japanese War, being used operationally for land based reconnaissance missions in the Hankou and Shanghai regions.
[1] Data from Japanese Aircraft 1910-41 [2]General characteristics Performance Armament