Yokosuka D4Y Suisei (Judy) Carrier-Borne Dive Bomber (1942)
Though hitting some speed bumps early on in its development evolution, the D4Y proved to be a capable carrier-based performer.
The D4Y was a single engine, two-crew dive bomber platform. The Mitsubishi MK8P Kinsei 62 radial piston engine found in the D4Y3 model offered up reliability with performance at 357 miles per hour with a ceiling of nearly 35,000 feet. The crew sat in a long greenhouse-type canopy in tandem. Defensive armament consisted of twin 7.7mm machine guns in a forward-fixed position and a single 13.1mm machine gun in a trainable rear cockpit mounting. External ordnance was limited to 1,235 pounds of stores. Overall, the design concept actually stemmed from the German Heinkel He 118, as Japan purchased manufacturing rights for the German type back in 1938.
The D4Y first flew in late 1942 in its dive bomber form designated simply as the D4Y1. The system then appeared shortly thereafter in a reconnaissance form as the D4Y1-C. Before long, the D4Y series was fielded in quantity across several Japanese carrier groups and would see yet another improved version - known as the D4Y2 - appear. This one being fitted with a Atsuta 32 Aichi-brand 1,400hp engine. It was soon found, however, that the aircraft, though performing well in terms of capability, suffered from reliability problems with the new engine. To add insult to injury, the performance gains brought about by the new powerplant were negated to some extent by the fact that crew and fuel protection was not addressed, leading to heavy losses. The D4Y3 addressed the D4Y2's reliability problems with the introduction of the Mitsubishi MK8P Kinsei 62 radial piston engine. By the end of the war, as with most of the IJN's small airframes, the D4Y was made into a dedicated suicide model. This one, a single-seater, was designated as the D4Y4 and fielded in 1945. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
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Specifications for the
Yokosuka D4Y Suisei (Judy)
Carrier-Borne Dive Bomber
Country of Origin: Imperial Japan
Manufacturer: Yokosuka - Japan
Initial Year of Service: 1942
Production: 2,033
Focus Model: Yokosuka D4Y3 Suisei (Judy)
Crew: 2
Length: 33.53ft (10.22m)
Width: 37.73ft (11.50m)
Height: 12.27ft (3.74m)
Weight (Empty): 5,514lbs (2,501kg)
Weight (MTOW): 10,267lbs (4,657kg)
Powerplant: 1 x Mitsubishi MK8P Kinsei 62 radial piston engine generating 1,560hp.
Maximum Speed: 357mph (575kmh; 310kts)
Maximum Range: 944miles (1,520km)
Service Ceiling: 34,449ft (10,500m; 6.5miles)
Rate-of-Climb: 2,163 feet per minute (659m/min)
Hardpoints: 2
Armament Suite:
2 x 7.7mm Type 97 machine guns in fixed forward-firing nose mount
1 x 13.1mm Type 2 machine gun in trainable mount in rear cockpit position
Up to 1,235lbs of bombs.
Variants:
D4Y1 - Initial dive bomber model; fitted with Daimler-Benz DB 600G powerplant (imported from Germany).
D4Y1-C - Reconnaissance Variant
D4Y2 - 1 x 13.2mm machine gun in trainable rear cockpit mounting replacing original 1 x 7.92mm machine gun.
D4Y3 - Fitted with Kinsei 62 radial engine.
D4Y4 - Single-seat suicide dive-bomber
Operators: Imperial Japan
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