Difference between revisions of "D4Y (Family)"

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{{DISPLAYTITLE:D4Y (Family)}}
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== Description ==
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The '''Yokosuka D4Y''' was a two-seat carrier-based dive bomber used by the Imperial Japanese Navy in World War II.
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==Description==
 
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The '''Yokosuka D4Y''' was a two-seat carrier-based dive bomber used by the Imperial Japanese Army in World War II.
 
  
 
Nicknames being:
 
Nicknames being:
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* ▃ - ''Judy''
 
* ▃ - ''Judy''
  
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==Vehicles==
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== Vehicles ==
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===Rank II===
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=== Rank II ===
  
 
* [[D4Y1]] - <small>Suisei Model 11</small>
 
* [[D4Y1]] - <small>Suisei Model 11</small>
 
* [[D4Y2]] - <small>Suisei Model 12</small>
 
* [[D4Y2]] - <small>Suisei Model 12</small>
 
* [[D4Y3 Ko]] - <small>Suisei Model 33A (甲, Kō)</small>
 
* [[D4Y3 Ko]] - <small>Suisei Model 33A (甲, Kō)</small>
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==History==
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<!--''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle family in more detail than in the introduction. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the family's dev blog entries (if applicable).-->
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===Development===
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<!-- Shim's Note: Needs Verification & Proper Sourcing. Pain.
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;Heinkel He 118 / DXHe
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In early 1938, Japan purchased two Heinkel He 118s, which the German Luftwaffe didn't adopt in favour of the [[Ju 87 (Family)|Junkers Ju 87]]. The Army bought the 4th airframe (V-3) and the Navy the 5th airframe (V-4). The Army would use the He 118 as a reference that would help develop into the Type 98 light bomber ([[Ki-32]])
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The Navy conducted aptitude tests to see if the plane could be used as a carrier-based dive bomber but concluded that the plane was far too large and lacked the manoeuvrability for carrier operations. After that conclusion, it was designated as the '''DXHe1''' and used as a reference for further plane development, namely the development of the ''{{Annotation|13-Shi|13th year of the Showa reign, 1937}} Carrier Dive-Bomber''. The DXHe1 (V-4) crashed in early July 1938 in a diving exercise due to a technical failure, killing the pilot.
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-->
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;Yokosuka D4Y ''Suisei''
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====13-Shi Carrier-based Dive Bomber====
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Development of the D4Y Suisei started as the ''{{Annotation|13-Shi|13th year of the Showa reign, 1937}} Carrier Dive-Bomber'' in the Yokosuka Naval Air Technical Arsenal after the Imperial Japanese Navy Aviation Bureau issued an order for a dive-bomber with two main requirements: have a larger range than enemy carriers and their planes, and the ability to shake off interception fighters chasing them. The official stated requirements were as follows:
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      '''Speed'''      ≥ {{Annotation|280 kn|519 km/h; 322 mph}}
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  '''Cruising speed'''  ≥ {{Annotation|230 kn|425 km/h; 264 mph}}
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'''Dive-bomb range'''  ≥ 800 {{Annotation|nmi|Nautical miles}} (~1,482 km).
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  '''Bombing range'''  ≥ 1200 {{Annotation|nmi|Nautical miles}} (~2,222 km).
 +
    '''Ordnance'''    = 1 x 500 kg ([[Number Type 2 50 Model 1 GP(SAP) (500 kg)|Type 2 No.50 Bomb]])
 +
 +
While the ''{{Annotation|11-Shi|11th year of the Showa reign, 1935}} Carrier Dive-Bomber'' (later [[D3A1]]) was still in development, the requirements for the 13-Shi were far higher than its still-in-development predecessor. Hence engineers looked at the higher performance of the DXHe1, the Navy designation for the imported He 118 they acquired for tech evaluation.
 +
 +
[[File:D4Y bomb-bay.jpg|Suisei dive-bombing with open bomb-bay|thumb|left]]
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The design of the 13-Shi included electrical-driven hydraulics ranging from landing gear, flaps, and bomb-bay doors, making it the first Japanese carrier-based plane to have a bomb bay. The fuselage was narrowed down to just the diameter of the engine and referenced to the DXHe1; the radiator and air cooler were flush with the bomb bay to minimize air resistance and have a smooth underside. To balance the aerodynamic aspect and bomb bay, the primary wing size was kept to a minimum to reduce induced drag and achieve higher speeds. To eliminate the need of folding wings, the wingspan was reduced to 11 m, matching Japanese carrier elevators. Additionally, a semi-integral fuel tank was implemented to carry a large amount of fuel required for long cruising distances.
 +
 +
But with all these measures in pursuit of high top speeds, the wings were too small to operate with the short take-offs and landings required for carrier planes, resulting in various designs, such as a semi-Fowler-type flap that covered 60% of the wing span, the ailerons and air brakes to be used as take-off/landing flaps. Even with that design employed, it would only be usable loaded on large, high-speed carriers of the Shōkaku class or better.
 +
 +
On November 1, 1940, the first 13-Shi prototype was built and was equipped with the AE2A ''Atsuta 11'' engine (licensed DB 600G). But due to engine malfunctions, it was discarded and swapped out for the AE1A ''Atsuta 21'' (licensed DB 601), which pushed the 13-Shi with a reconnaissance loadout to 552 km/h at 4,750 m, which was the highest speed of any naval aircraft for its time. On top of that, the operational range was recorded at 3,780 km. There were a total of 5 prototypes built eventually.
 +
 +
With the engine being a liquid-cooled inverted V12 engine, it did outperform most of its Japanese counterparts, but a lack of industrial power, rare resources for engine parts, and overall maintenance complexity caused reliability issues and strained engine production in numbers.
 +
 +
====(D4Y-C) Type 2 Carrier-based Reconnaissance Plane====
 +
On October 21, 1941, the 1st Carrier-Division, which was preparing the attack on Pearl Harbour before the outbreak of the Pacific war, sent a request to the Aviation Bureau to increase the number of [[A6M2]]s and 13-Shi's to be produced for combat on-top of attaching a new reconnaissance plane.
 +
 +
The Navy did agree that it needed a new, high-speed recon plane to replace the [[B5N2|Type 97 carrier-based attack bomber (B5N)]] used in recon-role and [[Aichi E13A1|Type 0 Reconnaissance Seaplane (E13A)]]. With the vision of modifying the 13-Shi in a reconnaissance role, an order of 40 recon variants was made in November of 1941. Prototype airframes No.2, 3 & 4 were already remodelled into reconnaissance planes with cameras equipped in the bomb bay. It took more than half a month to arrive to forward units and didn't end up being used in the opening wave of the Pacific War.
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In May 1942, the already converted airframes No.2 & 3 would be deployed to the Soryū as part of the 2nd Air Squad., 1st Carrier Div. During the battle of Midway, it was one of the planes that spotted the US Carrier Fleet, but due to a radio malfunction, it had to report back directly to the sister-ship Hiryū, as Soryū, together with the other plane, had already been struck on its return. Later in the battle, Hiryū was sunk as well, sinking with the last frontline deployed recon prototype.
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[[File:D4Y2 before take off.jpg|2 Suisei's before take-off|thumb]]
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On August 15, 1942, Airframe No.5 crashed in a test flight, and engineers concluded that the airframe should be repaired and strengthened as it would be insufficient to be used as a dive-bomber. The strengthening of the airframe didn't interfere with the flight performance of the plane.
 +
 +
After frontline evaluation and last recon modifications, the reconnaissance variant would formally be adopted as the '''Type 2 carrier-based reconnaissance plane (D4Y1-C)''' and began deployment at the end of 1942. It would operate relatively well and was well received by its crew.
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====(D4Y) Suisei====
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From June 1943, the 13-shi was finally ready after getting an improved airframe and prepared for mass production and would be officially adopted (under new naming regulations) as the '''[[D4Y1|Suisei 11 (D4Y1)]]''' and would see its debut combat at the Solomon islands in the latter half of 1943.
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[[File:D4Y maintenance.jpg|Suisei's under maintance inspection|thumb]]
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In May 1943, the first '''[[D4Y2|Suisei 12 (D4Y2)]]''' with the improved Atsuta 32, which offered 1400 hp over the 1200 hp Atsuta 21 and was easier to maintain, was ready. But with the lack of rare metals such as nickel, lack of skilled workers, and shortage of tools, the production of the Atsuta 32 delayed the deployment of Suisei 12s, with the result of stacking numbers of "noseless aircraft" (lacking engine) lining up outside the factory. As a breakthrough countermeasure for lacking engine production, in December 1943, roughly half a year after the first Suisei 12, the '''[[D4Y3 Ko|Suisei 33 (D4Y3)]]''' arrived, equipped with the Mitsubishi MK8P Kinsei 62 air-cooled radial engine, which was far more reliable and had a relatively large supply, solving the logistical nightmares of the licensed DB 601. This breakthrough simultaneously solved the same problems of the Army which dealt with the DB 601 (as the Kawasaki Ha-40) in its [[Ki-61 (Family)|Ki-61]]s with the exchange for the Mitsubishi Ha-112, which would evolve the plane into the [[Ki-100]].
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<!--===Combat History===-->
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== Media ==
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<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
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;Images
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<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="200">
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File:D4Y 13-Shi.jpeg|13-Shi at the Yokosuka Arsenal, 1942
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File:D4Y2 Flight Fujiyama.jpg|3 Suisei's flying near Mount Fuji
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</gallery>
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;Videos
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{{Youtube-gallery|viGPHQQScKo|'''The Shooting Range #322''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 04:25 discusses the D4Y Suisei.}}
  
 
{{AirManufacturer Yokosuka}}
 
{{AirManufacturer Yokosuka}}
 
{{Japan bombers}}
 
{{Japan bombers}}
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[[Category:Family pages]]
 
[[Category:Family pages]]

Latest revision as of 08:32, 12 April 2024

Description

The Yokosuka D4Y was a two-seat carrier-based dive bomber used by the Imperial Japanese Navy in World War II.

Nicknames being:

  • ▅ - Suisei (彗星, Comet)
  • ▃ - Judy

Vehicles

Rank II

  • D4Y1 - Suisei Model 11
  • D4Y2 - Suisei Model 12
  • D4Y3 Ko - Suisei Model 33A (甲, Kō)

History

Development

Yokosuka D4Y Suisei

13-Shi Carrier-based Dive Bomber

Development of the D4Y Suisei started as the 13-Shi Carrier Dive-Bomber in the Yokosuka Naval Air Technical Arsenal after the Imperial Japanese Navy Aviation Bureau issued an order for a dive-bomber with two main requirements: have a larger range than enemy carriers and their planes, and the ability to shake off interception fighters chasing them. The official stated requirements were as follows: 

     Speed       ≥ 280 kn
 Cruising speed  ≥ 230 kn
Dive-bomb range  ≥ 800 nmi (~1,482 km).
 Bombing range   ≥ 1200 nmi (~2,222 km).
    Ordnance     = 1 x 500 kg (Type 2 No.50 Bomb)

While the 11-Shi Carrier Dive-Bomber (later D3A1) was still in development, the requirements for the 13-Shi were far higher than its still-in-development predecessor. Hence engineers looked at the higher performance of the DXHe1, the Navy designation for the imported He 118 they acquired for tech evaluation.

Suisei dive-bombing with open bomb-bay

The design of the 13-Shi included electrical-driven hydraulics ranging from landing gear, flaps, and bomb-bay doors, making it the first Japanese carrier-based plane to have a bomb bay. The fuselage was narrowed down to just the diameter of the engine and referenced to the DXHe1; the radiator and air cooler were flush with the bomb bay to minimize air resistance and have a smooth underside. To balance the aerodynamic aspect and bomb bay, the primary wing size was kept to a minimum to reduce induced drag and achieve higher speeds. To eliminate the need of folding wings, the wingspan was reduced to 11 m, matching Japanese carrier elevators. Additionally, a semi-integral fuel tank was implemented to carry a large amount of fuel required for long cruising distances.

But with all these measures in pursuit of high top speeds, the wings were too small to operate with the short take-offs and landings required for carrier planes, resulting in various designs, such as a semi-Fowler-type flap that covered 60% of the wing span, the ailerons and air brakes to be used as take-off/landing flaps. Even with that design employed, it would only be usable loaded on large, high-speed carriers of the Shōkaku class or better.

On November 1, 1940, the first 13-Shi prototype was built and was equipped with the AE2A Atsuta 11 engine (licensed DB 600G). But due to engine malfunctions, it was discarded and swapped out for the AE1A Atsuta 21 (licensed DB 601), which pushed the 13-Shi with a reconnaissance loadout to 552 km/h at 4,750 m, which was the highest speed of any naval aircraft for its time. On top of that, the operational range was recorded at 3,780 km. There were a total of 5 prototypes built eventually.

With the engine being a liquid-cooled inverted V12 engine, it did outperform most of its Japanese counterparts, but a lack of industrial power, rare resources for engine parts, and overall maintenance complexity caused reliability issues and strained engine production in numbers.

(D4Y-C) Type 2 Carrier-based Reconnaissance Plane

On October 21, 1941, the 1st Carrier-Division, which was preparing the attack on Pearl Harbour before the outbreak of the Pacific war, sent a request to the Aviation Bureau to increase the number of A6M2s and 13-Shi's to be produced for combat on-top of attaching a new reconnaissance plane.

The Navy did agree that it needed a new, high-speed recon plane to replace the Type 97 carrier-based attack bomber (B5N) used in recon-role and Type 0 Reconnaissance Seaplane (E13A). With the vision of modifying the 13-Shi in a reconnaissance role, an order of 40 recon variants was made in November of 1941. Prototype airframes No.2, 3 & 4 were already remodelled into reconnaissance planes with cameras equipped in the bomb bay. It took more than half a month to arrive to forward units and didn't end up being used in the opening wave of the Pacific War.

In May 1942, the already converted airframes No.2 & 3 would be deployed to the Soryū as part of the 2nd Air Squad., 1st Carrier Div. During the battle of Midway, it was one of the planes that spotted the US Carrier Fleet, but due to a radio malfunction, it had to report back directly to the sister-ship Hiryū, as Soryū, together with the other plane, had already been struck on its return. Later in the battle, Hiryū was sunk as well, sinking with the last frontline deployed recon prototype.

2 Suisei's before take-off

On August 15, 1942, Airframe No.5 crashed in a test flight, and engineers concluded that the airframe should be repaired and strengthened as it would be insufficient to be used as a dive-bomber. The strengthening of the airframe didn't interfere with the flight performance of the plane.

After frontline evaluation and last recon modifications, the reconnaissance variant would formally be adopted as the Type 2 carrier-based reconnaissance plane (D4Y1-C) and began deployment at the end of 1942. It would operate relatively well and was well received by its crew.

(D4Y) Suisei

From June 1943, the 13-shi was finally ready after getting an improved airframe and prepared for mass production and would be officially adopted (under new naming regulations) as the Suisei 11 (D4Y1) and would see its debut combat at the Solomon islands in the latter half of 1943.

Suisei's under maintance inspection

In May 1943, the first Suisei 12 (D4Y2) with the improved Atsuta 32, which offered 1400 hp over the 1200 hp Atsuta 21 and was easier to maintain, was ready. But with the lack of rare metals such as nickel, lack of skilled workers, and shortage of tools, the production of the Atsuta 32 delayed the deployment of Suisei 12s, with the result of stacking numbers of "noseless aircraft" (lacking engine) lining up outside the factory. As a breakthrough countermeasure for lacking engine production, in December 1943, roughly half a year after the first Suisei 12, the Suisei 33 (D4Y3) arrived, equipped with the Mitsubishi MK8P Kinsei 62 air-cooled radial engine, which was far more reliable and had a relatively large supply, solving the logistical nightmares of the licensed DB 601. This breakthrough simultaneously solved the same problems of the Army which dealt with the DB 601 (as the Kawasaki Ha-40) in its Ki-61s with the exchange for the Mitsubishi Ha-112, which would evolve the plane into the Ki-100.


Media

Images

  • 13-Shi at the Yokosuka Arsenal, 1942

  • 3 Suisei's flying near Mount Fuji

Videos
The Shooting Range #322 - Pages of History section at 04:25 discusses the D4Y Suisei.


Yokosuka Naval Air Technical Arsenal (海軍航空技術廠)
Bombers  D4Y1 · D4Y2 · D4Y3 Ko
  P1Y1 mod. 11
Jet fighters  R2Y2 Kai V1 · R2Y2 Kai V2 · R2Y2 Kai V3
Captured  ␗P1Y1 mod. 11
  While the arsenal was simply known as the Naval Air Technical Arsenal and usually referred to as Kūgi-shō (Kaigun Kōkū Gijutsu-shō).
  The name Yokosuka prevailed however, even though it referred to the Arsenal's location.
See also  Yokosuka Naval Arsenal (Shipyard)

Japan bombers
Navy 
Carrier-based attack bomber 
B5N  B5N2
B6N  B6N1 · B6N2 · B6N2a
B7A  B7A2 · B7A2 (Homare 23)
Carrier-based dive bomber 
D3A  D3A1
D4Y  D4Y1 · D4Y2 · D4Y3 Ko
Shipboard Observation seaplane 
F1M  F1M2
Land-based Attack bomber 
G4M  G4M1
G5N  G5N1
G8N  G8N1
Flying boat 
H6K  H6K4
H8K  H8K2 · H8K3
Land-based Bomber 
P1Y  P1Y1
Army 
Light  Ki-32
  Ki-48-II otsu
Heavy  Ki-21-Ia · Ki-21-I hei
  Ki-49-I · Ki-49-IIa · Ki-49-IIb · Ki-49-IIb/L
  Ki-67-I Ko · Ki-67-I otsu
Other countries  ▅B-17E

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