D4Y2

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Rank VI USA | Premium | Golden Eagles
A-10A Thunderbolt (Early)
This page is about the Japanese dive bomber D4Y2. For other uses, see D4Y (Family).
d4y2.png
GarageImage D4Y2.jpg
D4Y2
Research:5 600 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:22 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
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Description

The D4Y2 is a rank II Japanese dive bomber with a battle rating of 2.0 (AB), 2.3 (RB), and 2.7 (SB). It was introduced in Update 1.71 "New E.R.A.".

The D4Y2 is a very strong ground attack aircraft, and thanks to its high speed and agility, it can make a great fighter. This is your typical Japanese dive bomber, which has excellent ground-pounding capabilities, as well as fighter-hunting abilities. Since the D4Y2 gets a bomber airspawn, it can outclimb any fighter you want. You can also outspeed and outmanoeuvre pretty much anything, even Spitfires. However, the D4Y2 carries something special, something that the D4Y1 and D4Y3 Ko cannot carry, fused rockets. What some might realize about Japanese planes is their inability to bomber hunt. Fused rockets fix this issue, by being a great pick to tackle slow, sturdy, and sluggish bombers. Even if you don't get the rockets exactly on point, the explosion near the bomber could be enough to rip a wing off or damage their controls.

Despite all these advantages, the D4Y2 still has many flaws. It is very fragile, and shouldn't be exposed to .50 calibre Brownings, as they will almost always set you on fire. Even though it has high speed and agility, it bleeds energy so quickly that turnfighting for prolonged periods is not recommended. You also don't have the greatest turret, as the Type 92 is completely unreliable to down air targets, so it should be used to scare away fighters rather than destroy them. Always try outmanoeuvring fighters before you dive away from them.

General info

The D4Y2 in flight

Flight performance

Arrestor gear
Accelerates braking by grabbing the brake cable on the deck of the aircraft carrier
Air brakes
Allows you to dramatically reduce the flight speed by releasing special flaps
Max speed
at 5 250 m580 km/h
Turn time23 s
Max altitude9 800 m
EngineAtsuta Atsuta 31
TypeInline
Cooling systemWater
Take-off weight4 t

The D4Y2 behaves much like the D4Y1: fast, agile, and powerful. However, since you don't get a radial engine, your Atsuta engine will overheat very easily on WEP, even with both radiators fully open. WEP should be used when on the deck when ground pounding, or in dogfights. Using WEP while climbing should only be done on cooler maps. It gets a bomber airspawn, which allows the D4Y2 to outclimb all the fighters, but be sure to select the right airspawn, because it gets a carrier spawn by default on pacific maps. The only issue with the performance of this aircraft arises at high altitudes, where it is left without a supercharger.

Characteristics Max Speed
(km/h at 5,250 m)
Max altitude
(metres)
Turn time
(seconds)
Rate of climb
(metres/second)
Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 555 541 9800 23.8 24.4 7.7 7.7 300
Upgraded 607 580 22.2 23.0 14.6 10.9

Details

The D4Y2's cockpit and dash instruments
Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear
Limits
Wings (km/h) Gear (km/h) Flaps (km/h) Max Static G
Combat Take-off Landing + -
750 350 480 480 280 ~12 ~9
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< 350 < 400 < 400 > 200
Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude 100% Engine power WEP Engine power
5,000 m 1,300 hp 1,430 hp

Survivability and armour

Crew2 people
Speed of destruction
Structural750 km/h
Gear350 km/h

The D4Y2, like its predecessor the D4Y1, lacks any armour and self-sealing fuel tanks. The fuel tanks are located in the same location (2 in each wing). The gunner is still unprotected.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB859 → 1 083 Sl icon.png
RB1 440 → 1 815 Sl icon.png
SB2 236 → 2 819 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications10 380 Rp icon.png
13 600 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost750 Ge icon.png
Crew training6 300 Sl icon.png
Experts22 000 Sl icon.png
Aces250 Ge icon.png
Research Aces220 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
70 / 130 / 240 % Sl icon.png
124 / 124 / 124 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods aerodinamic fuse.png
Fuselage repair
Research:
520 Rp icon.png
Cost:
690 Sl icon.png
90 Ge icon.png
Mods radiator.png
Radiator
Research:
520 Rp icon.png
Cost:
690 Sl icon.png
90 Ge icon.png
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Research:
780 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 000 Sl icon.png
135 Ge icon.png
Mods compressor.png
Compressor
Research:
780 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 000 Sl icon.png
135 Ge icon.png
Mods aerodinamic wing.png
Wings repair
Research:
650 Rp icon.png
Cost:
860 Sl icon.png
115 Ge icon.png
Mods new engine.png
Engine
Research:
650 Rp icon.png
Cost:
860 Sl icon.png
115 Ge icon.png
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Research:
840 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 100 Sl icon.png
145 Ge icon.png
Mods metanol.png
Engine injection
Research:
840 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 100 Sl icon.png
145 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
type89_belt_pack
Research:
520 Rp icon.png
Cost:
690 Sl icon.png
90 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods pilon rocket.png
Type 3 No.1 Mod.28 Mk.1 rockets
Research:
520 Rp icon.png
Cost:
690 Sl icon.png
90 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 1.png
Mods weapon.png
type97_new_gun
Research:
780 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 000 Sl icon.png
135 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
type92_turret_belt_pack
Research:
650 Rp icon.png
Cost:
860 Sl icon.png
115 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
9 in (mod30)
Research:
650 Rp icon.png
Cost:
860 Sl icon.png
115 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods turret gun.png
type92_turret_new_gun
Research:
840 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 100 Sl icon.png
145 Ge icon.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
13 in (mod35)
Research:
840 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 100 Sl icon.png
145 Ge icon.png

The payload option should be a top priority, so getting to tier three modifications is of utmost importance. Rush the new belts and MGs, or the radiator or compressor if you choose to have better performance. Then get the bomb modification. After that, research all engine modifications and then the survivability modifications. Save the turret upgrades for last.

Armaments

The D4Y2's fused rocket payload

Offensive armament

Main article: Type 97 navy (7.7 mm)

The D4Y2 is armed with:

  • 2 x 7.7 mm Type 97 navy machine guns, nose-mounted (400 rpg = 800 total)

Suspended armament

The D4Y2 can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

  • Without load
  • 1 x 250 kg Navy Type Number 25 Model 2 bomb (250 kg total)
  • 4 x Type 3 No.1 Mod.28 Mk.1 rockets
  • 1 x 250 kg Navy Type Number 25 Model 2 bomb + 2 x 60 kg Navy Type 97 Number 6 bombs (370 kg total)
  • 1 x 500 kg Number Type 2 50 Model 1 GP(SAP) bomb (500 kg total)
The Type 92 turret firing at a fighter

Defensive armament

Main article: Type 92 (7.7 mm)

The D4Y2 is defended by:

  • 1 x 7.7 mm Type 92 machine gun, dorsal turret (582 rpg)

Usage in battles

The D4Y2 in flight

The D4Y2 is a pilot's play, meaning that you can choose whatever role you wish in a D4Y2, since it has bombs, rockets, and a bomber airspawn.

Interceptor: The D4Y2 can carry fused rockets, meaning they'll explode after a certain distance. Usually Japanese planes are horrible interceptors, they are slow, easily set on fire by turrets, and have poor armament. However, the D4Y2 can carry rockets, turning the tables in the D4Y2's favour. Set a fuse on your rockets to whatever you please, as long as it is between 400 and 800 meters. Use impact fuse however, when ground pounding. To intercept a bomber, don't rely on your machine guns. Don't tail the bomber either. Instead, dive on it, or engage in a head-on if they don't have forward guns. Fire your rockets when you are exactly the distance away from the bomber as your fuse distance is. Remember to lead, as the rockets tend to curve and don't travel as fast as the MGs.

Fighter: The D4Y2 is a great fighter, but has two flaws, armament and energy retention. Speed is your armour, as well as altitude, because you cannot retain any energy in a boom and zoom attack. It isn't a good idea to boom and zoom either, unless the enemy aircraft is a bomber, or a damaged fighter, or any other slow target. Your fights will mostly occur near the ground, where the D4Y2 has good acceleration. You can turn with anything you wish. However, there is one danger with fighting near the ground. If you lose all of your energy when turnfighting (it will happen sometimes), you become the perfect target for a boom and zoom attack. Since you can't dive away from boom and zoomers on the ground, the D4Y2 is a sitting duck. The turret won't do anything either, but trying to dodge the incoming threat is still a good option, as long as you keep your speed up.

Attacker: Since the D4Y2 can carry bombs and rockets, we must discuss the attacker role of this aircraft. On new maps like Honolulu, as well as old maps like Iwo Jima, rockets will be a good pick. Rockets easily destroy cargo ships, especially ones on the move. Take the bombs on maps with light pillboxes. Use your armament only for AAA, howitzers, artillery, and lightly armoured trucks. Once all ammunition is spent, or if enemy fighters are sighted, return to the base.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer Pitch Radiator Supercharger Turbocharger
Oil Water Type
Controllable Controllable
Not auto controlled
Controllable
Not auto controlled
Controllable
Not auto controlled
Separate Not controllable
1 gear
Not controllable
The D4Y2 doing a flyby

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • D4Y for Carrier-based dive bomber:
    • Choice between a 250kg & 500kg bomb
    • Bomber airspawn, outclimbs anything and can intercept
    • Airbrakes
  • Common Navy plane construction:
    • Nose mounted armament
    • Small radiator drag
    • Excellent manoeuvrability, can outrun early Corsairs, Wildcats, and Spitfires
  • D4Y Specific:
    • Fast, can outrun almost anything, save P-38s
      • Its speed forces the enemy to tail behind your gunner, giving you a chance to shoot at the approaching fighter with your turret
  • D4Y2 Specific:
    • Fused rocket payload

Cons:

  • D4Y for Carrier-based dive bomber:
    • Has bomb cradle, significant delay in fuselage bomb drop
    • Not good for bombing bases
  • Common Navy plane construction:
  • D4Y (early) Specific:
    • Engine overheats easily, it isn't a traditional Japanese radial engine
  • D4Y2 Specific:
    • Has decreased ammo counted compared with the D4Y1
    • Rockets can only be launched two at a time, giving you only two chances to down a bomber

History

The D4Y2 in a dive

Nicknamed the the "Judy" by allied pilots, the D4Y2 was feared by both troops on the ground and ships in the sea.

The D4Y2 was a carrier based dive bomber. It sported a 1,400 hp "Aichi AE1P Atsuta 32" engine. The D4Y2 would see 7 variants, and was the most widely used version of the D4Y series.

Some variants had very unique roles such as the D4Y2 KAI Suisei Model 22, designed to be launched from a battleship by the means of a catapult.

With a range of 1,400 miles the D4Y2 was perfect for the defence of the Japanese territories. Combined with its extreme accuracy in a dive, it saw great success. However, with Allied aircraft upgrading from the F4F Wildcat to the F6F Hellcat, it was no longer fast enough to escape and started seeing massive casualties in missions which just months before would have had little to no casualties. The increased death rates of the pilots and crew saw pilots becoming less and less experienced, increasing the death rates even further. Slowly the time of the D4Y's was coming to an end.

No D4Y2's survived the war, but their legacy lives on as a feared a ruthless dive bomber and night fighter. Their achievements include the attack on the USS Enterprise and attack on the USS Bunker Hill which was damaged beyond repair at sea and had to return to port in the United States to repair.

Media

See also

Aircraft of comparable role and era
  • SBD-3 - Early war American dive bomber
  • SB2C-4 - Late war American dive bomber
  • A-35B - French dive bomber with 6 x machine guns
  • B17A/B - Swedish light/dive bomber
  • Ju 87 D - German ground attack dive bomber

External links


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