Yokosuka D3Y

The Yokosuka D3Y Myojo (en: Venus) was a Japanese two-seat dive bomber designed and built by the Yokosuka Naval Air Technical Arsenal. Only five aircraft were built.

Design and development
The D3Y was a two-seat bomber trainer constructed of wood, so as not to use more valuable materials. It was based on the successful Aichi D3A, with design starting in late 1942. Like the D3A, it was a two-seat low-winged monoplane with a fixed tailwheel undercarriage. To allow construction by unskilled workers, the elliptical wing and rounded tail of the D3A was replaced by straight tapered alternatives, while the fuselage was lengthened to improve stability. Two prototypes were built during 1944, these proved heavier than expected. Three production aircraft, which were redesigned to save weight, were completed for the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service before the end of the war, designated the Navy Type 99 Bomber Trainer Myojo Model 22.

Variants

 * D3YK-1: Two seat wooden dive-bomber trainer. Powered by 1,300 hp (970 kW) Mitsubishi Kinsei 54 radial engine.
 * D3Y2-K: Single seat suicide attack derivative of D3Y1 with jettisonable undercarriage, two 20 mm cannon in engine cowling and one 800 kg (1,760 lb) bomb. Later redesignated D5Y1. Prototype not complete.

Operators

 * Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service
 * Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service