Aichi B7A Ryusei (Grace)

The Aichi-produced B7A Ryusei (translated to "Shooting Star" and nicknamed "Grace" by the Allies) was a limited-production torpedo bomber in service with the Empire of Japan during the latter years of World War Two. Unfortunately for the design, the system arrived too late to be fielded in force as the Japanese Navy was without any viable carrier options at the aircraft's inception. With just a scant 114 production aircraft, the series became an overlooked Aichi design that would never live up to its perceived potential.

The B7A Ryusei was conceived of to fulfill a Japanese Navy requirement for a carrier-based torpedo bomber as early as 1941. A prototype model was flown by 1942 but the system, seeing prolonged delays from engine development issues and natural causes in the form of an earthquake on the island, was forced to delayed operational status until 1944. By then, the Japanese Navy was all but crippled of her strategic and vastly important aircraft carriers that the B7A would see limited duty from land-based airfields.

At its core, the Aichi B7A Ryusei was a single engine two-man mid-monoplane design. An underside provision was allowed for the carrying of a single 1,764lb torpedo. Additionally, two forward-firing fixed 20mm cannons were mounted in the leading wing edges. A single defensive 13mm machine gun was allotted for the rear cockpit position.

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