Yokosuka D3Y Myojo

Manufacturer: Yokosuka
First flight: 1945
Primary user: IJN Air Service
Produced: 1945
Number built: 5

The Yokosuka D3Y Myojo (en: Venus) was a Japanese two-seat dive bomber designed and built by the Yokosuka Naval Air Technical Arsenal. Only five aircraft were built.

Design and development

The D3Y was an two-seat bomber trainer constructed of wood, so as not to use more valuable materials. It was based on the successful Aichi D3A, with design starting in late 1942. Like the D3A, it was a two-seat low-winged monoplane with a fixed tailwheel undercarriage. To allow construction by unskilled workers, the elliptical wing and rounded tail of the D3A was replaced by straight tapered alternatives, while the fuselage was lengthened to improve stability. Two prototypes were built during 1944, these proving heavier than expected. Three production aircraft, which were redesigned to save weight, were completed for the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service before the end of the war, designated the Navy Type 99 Bomber Trainer Myojo Model 22.

Variants

D3YK-1 Two seat wooden dive-bomber trainer. Powered by 1,300 hp (970 kW) Mitsubishi Kinsei 54 radial engine. D3Y2-K Single seat suicide attack derivative of D3Y1 with jettisonable undercarriage, two 20 mm cannon in engine cowling and one 800 kg (1,760 lb) bomb. Later redesignated D5Y1. Prototype not complete.

Operators

Japan

Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service

Specifications (D3Y1-K)

Data from Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War

General characteristics

Crew: 2
Length: 11.215 m (36 ft 9½ in)
Wingspan: 14.00 m (45 ft 11â…› in)
Height: 4.185 m (13 ft 8¾ in)
Wing area: 32.8 m (353 ft)
Empty weight: 3,200 kg (7,055 lb)
Gross weight: 4,200 kg (9,259 lb)
Powerplant: 1 x— Mitsubishi Kinsei 54 radial engine, 970 kW (1,300 hp) each

Performance

Maximum speed: 451 km/h (280 mph)
Cruising speed: 296 km/h (184 mph)

Bibliography

Francillon, René J. (1979). Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War. London: Putnam & Company Ltd.. ISBN 0-370-30251-6.
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.

Yokosuka D3Y Pictures

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Source: WikiPedia