Yokosuka P1Y1 Ginga (Frances)
Imperial Japan (1944)
A late entry into World War 2 for the Japanese Navy, the Yokosuka P1Y failed to make much of an impact despite the 1,000 examples produced.
Detailing the development and operational history of the Yokosuka P1Y1 Ginga (Frances) Light-Medium Bomber / Dive Bomber / Torpedo Bomber / Night-Fighter. Entry last updated on 5/23/2016. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com
The Yokosuka Naval Air Technical Arsenal pushed for a new modern combining the operational range, firepower, and performance of the best platforms then available to the IJN. In additional to conventional level bombing, it was thought to include a capability for dive bombing and torpedo bombing to make for a more multi-faceted battlefield performer. Engineers elected for a conventional monoplane design form incorporating the two engines at each wing leading edge. The nose section of the aircraft was glazed for good vision out-of-the-cockpit and for bombing. The wing mainplanes were mid-mounted appendages and the tail given a traditional single-rudder form. A "tail-dragger" undercarriage was used. The operating crew would number three. Dimensions included a length of 49 feet, a wingspan of 65.5 feet and a height of 14 feet. Empty weight was 16,000lb against a Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) of 29,765lb.
The engines were 2 x Nakajima NK9C "Homare 12" series 18-cylinder radial piston engines of 1,825 horsepower each. Performance specifications included a maximum speed of 340 miles per hour, a cruising speed of 230 miles per hour, a range out to 3,340 miles, and a service ceiling up to 30,840 feet.
Beyond the internal bombload of 2,205lb (or 1 x 1,800lb torpedo), the aircraft typically carried defensive armament in the form of 1 x 20mm Type 99 cannon in the nose and 1 x 13mm Type 2 heavy machine gun facing aft on a trainable mounting).
A first-flight of a P1Y prototype occurred during August 1943 and this led to a contract order for 1,002 aircraft which came from Nakajima factories. Twelve total prototypes were eventually constructed testing and mainly carried the Homare 11 series radial. Production yielded variants from the original P1Y1 with Homare 11 or Homare 12 engines to the thirty P1Y1 ground attack forms (these fitted 20 x 20mm Type 99 cannons to specifically target American B-29s on the ground). A non-flying ground replica for decoy purposes was also built under the "MXY10" designator. Production peaked in 1944 with 620 examples of all variants delivered and a further 434 followed during the first half of 1945.
Introduction of the P1Y was during October 1944 and the type saw combat service until the end of the war in August of 1945. By this time, the Japanese situation had deteriorated enough to showcase the P1Y bombers as kamikaze weapons against Allied warships. This proved the case during the Okinawa assault that helped pave the way for the Japanese surrender. At the end of the war, at least three P1Y examples were delivered to the United States for testing.
One notable offshoot of the P1Y program became the P1Y2 "Kyokko" ("Aurora") which was a night-fighter / night-intruder version of the original. Kawanishi handled manufacture of 96 of this aircraft which carried Mitsubishi Kasei engines (due to the growing scarcity of the Homare engines) and were fitted with radar kits. Armament included an oblique-firing system which allowed for attacking bombers from their more vulnerable bellies. However, this design failed to produce the needed performance to assail enemy Boeing B-29 Superfortresses and were therefore reconfigured to their traditional bomber roles before the end.
Over twenty IJN squadrons fielded the P1Y including the 302nd Kokutai which became the sole night-fighter group.
Introduction of the P1Y was during October 1944 and the type saw combat service until the end of the war in August of 1945. By this time, the Japanese situation had deteriorated enough to showcase the P1Y bombers as kamikaze weapons against Allied warships. This proved the case during the Okinawa assault that helped pave the way for the Japanese surrender. At the end of the war, at least three P1Y examples were delivered to the United States for testing.
One notable offshoot of the P1Y program became the P1Y2 "Kyokko" ("Aurora") which was a night-fighter / night-intruder version of the original. Kawanishi handled manufacture of 96 of this aircraft which carried Mitsubishi Kasei engines (due to the growing scarcity of the Homare engines) and were fitted with radar kits. Armament included an oblique-firing system which allowed for attacking bombers from their more vulnerable bellies. However, this design failed to produce the needed performance to assail enemy Boeing B-29 Superfortresses and were therefore reconfigured to their traditional bomber roles before the end.
Over twenty IJN squadrons fielded the P1Y including the 302nd Kokutai which became the sole night-fighter group.
Our Data Modules allow for quick visual reference when comparing a single entry against contemporary designs. Areas covered include general ratings, speed assessments, and relative ranges based on distances between major cities.
Relative Maximum Speed Rating
Hi: 400mph
Lo: 200mph
This entry's maximum listed speed (342mph).
Graph average of 300 miles-per-hour.
Relative Operational Ranges
NYC
LON
LON
PAR
PAR
BER
BER
MOS
MOS
TOK
TOK
SYD
SYD
LAX
LAX
NYC
Graph showcases the Yokosuka P1Y1a's operational range (on internal fuel) when compared to distances between major cities.
Aviation Era Impact
Useful in showcasing the era cross-over of particular aircraft/aerospace designs.
Unit Production Comparison
Comm. Market HI*: 44,000 units
Military Market HI**: 36,183 units
1102
1102
* Commercial Market High belongs to Cessna 172.
** Military Market High belongs to Ilyushin Il-2.
Altitude Visualization
Compare this entry against other aircraft using our Comparison Tool
Supported Mission Types:
Air-to-Air
Interception
Unmanned
Ground Attack
Close-Air Support
Training
Anti-Submarine
Anti-Ship
Airborne Early Warning
MEDEVAC
Electronic Warfare
Maritime/Navy
Aerial Tanker
Utility/Transport
Passenger Industry
VIP Travel
Business Travel
Search/Rescue
Recon/Scouting
Special Forces
X-Plane/Development
National Origin: Imperial Japan
Service Year: 1944
Classification Type: Light-Medium Bomber / Dive Bomber / Torpedo Bomber / Night-Fighter
Manufacturer(s): Yokosuka Naval Air Technical Arsenal / Nakajima / Kawanishi - Imperial Japan
Production Units: 1,102
Global Operators:
Imperial Japan
Imperial Japan
Structural - Crew, Dimensions, and Weights:
Unless otherwise noted the presented statistics below pertain to the Yokosuka P1Y1a model. Common measurements, and their respective conversions, are shown when possible.
Unless otherwise noted the presented statistics below pertain to the Yokosuka P1Y1a model. Common measurements, and their respective conversions, are shown when possible.
Operational
CREW
Personnel
3
Dimension
LENGTH
Feet
49.21 ft
Meters
15 m
Dimension
WIDTH
Feet
65.62 ft
Meters
20 m
Dimension
HEIGHT
Feet
14.11 ft
Meters
4.3 m
Weight
EMPTY
Pounds
16,017 lb
Kilograms
7,265 kg
Weight
LOADED
Pounds
29,762 lb
Kilograms
13,500 kg
Installed Power - Standard Day Performance:
2 x Nakajima NK9C Homare 12 18-cylinder radial piston engines developing 1,825 horsepower each.
2 x Nakajima NK9C Homare 12 18-cylinder radial piston engines developing 1,825 horsepower each.
Performance
SPEED
Miles-per-Hour
342 mph
Kilometers-per-Hour
550 kph
Knots
297 kts
Performance
RANGE
Miles
3,337 mi
Kilometers
5,370 km
Nautical Miles
2,900 nm
Performance
CEILING
Feet
30,840 ft
Meters
9,400 m
Miles
5.84 mi
Armament - Hardpoints (0):
STANDARD:
1 x 20mm Type 99 cannon in nose position
1 x 13mm Type 2 heavy machine gun in rear-facing trainable position.
OPTIONAL:
Up to 2.205lb of conventional drop stores OR 1 x 1,800lb torpedo.
STANDARD:
1 x 20mm Type 99 cannon in nose position
1 x 13mm Type 2 heavy machine gun in rear-facing trainable position.
OPTIONAL:
Up to 2.205lb of conventional drop stores OR 1 x 1,800lb torpedo.
Visual Armory:
Variants:
Series Model Variants
• P1Y1 "Ginga" - Base Series Designation; medium bomber form.
• P1Y1a - Nakajima Homare 12 engines; 1 x 13mm machine gun in aft-facing position.
• P1Y1b - Developed from P1Y1a; Nakajima Homare 12 engines; 2 x 13mm machine guns in aft-facing position.
• P1Y1c - Developed from P1Y1b; Nakajima Homare 12 engines; 1 x 13mm defensive machine gun; single example completed.
• P1Y1 Model 11 - Night-fighter development based on P1Y1; 2 x 20mm Type 99 cannons.
• P1Y1-S - Night-fighter development; 4 x 20mm cannons in two obliquely-angled positions, one fitted fore and the other aft of cockpit; 1 x 13mm machine gun in aft position for defense.
• P1Y1 Attacker - Ground attack model; 20 x 20mm Type 99 cannons in ventral bay; 30 examples completed.
• P1Y2-S "Kyokko" - Night-fighter variant; 96 examples built from the P1Y1.
• P1Y2 - Developed from P1Y2-S nigth-fighter; Mitsubishi Kasei 25 engines.
• P1Y2a - Developed from P1Y1a; Mitsubishi Kasei 25 engines.
• P1Y2b - Developed from P1Y1b; Mitsubishi Kasei 25 engines.
• P1Y2c - Developed from P1Y1c; Mitsubishi Kasei 25 engines.
• P1Y3 - Developed from P1Y1; Nakajima Homare 21 engines.
• P1Y4 - Developed from P1Y1; Nakajima Homare 23 engines
• P1Y5 - Developed from P1Y1; Mitsubishi Ha-43 engines
• P1Y6 - Developed from P1Y2; Mitsubishi Kasai 25 engines
• Model 33 - Long-range bomber variant; 4-person crew and bombload of 3,000kg; not pursued.
• "Tenga" - Proposed jet-powered bomber form of 1945
• MXY10 - Decoy bomber; non-flying
• P1Y1 "Ginga" - Base Series Designation; medium bomber form.
• P1Y1a - Nakajima Homare 12 engines; 1 x 13mm machine gun in aft-facing position.
• P1Y1b - Developed from P1Y1a; Nakajima Homare 12 engines; 2 x 13mm machine guns in aft-facing position.
• P1Y1c - Developed from P1Y1b; Nakajima Homare 12 engines; 1 x 13mm defensive machine gun; single example completed.
• P1Y1 Model 11 - Night-fighter development based on P1Y1; 2 x 20mm Type 99 cannons.
• P1Y1-S - Night-fighter development; 4 x 20mm cannons in two obliquely-angled positions, one fitted fore and the other aft of cockpit; 1 x 13mm machine gun in aft position for defense.
• P1Y1 Attacker - Ground attack model; 20 x 20mm Type 99 cannons in ventral bay; 30 examples completed.
• P1Y2-S "Kyokko" - Night-fighter variant; 96 examples built from the P1Y1.
• P1Y2 - Developed from P1Y2-S nigth-fighter; Mitsubishi Kasei 25 engines.
• P1Y2a - Developed from P1Y1a; Mitsubishi Kasei 25 engines.
• P1Y2b - Developed from P1Y1b; Mitsubishi Kasei 25 engines.
• P1Y2c - Developed from P1Y1c; Mitsubishi Kasei 25 engines.
• P1Y3 - Developed from P1Y1; Nakajima Homare 21 engines.
• P1Y4 - Developed from P1Y1; Nakajima Homare 23 engines
• P1Y5 - Developed from P1Y1; Mitsubishi Ha-43 engines
• P1Y6 - Developed from P1Y2; Mitsubishi Kasai 25 engines
• Model 33 - Long-range bomber variant; 4-person crew and bombload of 3,000kg; not pursued.
• "Tenga" - Proposed jet-powered bomber form of 1945
• MXY10 - Decoy bomber; non-flying