The Yokosuka D3Y Myōjō (明星, "Venus") was a Japanese, two-seat dive bomber/trainer designed and built by the Yokosuka Naval Air Technical Arsenal. Derived from the Aichi D3A, it was made nearly entirely of wood in an attempt to conserve valuable resources. Upon Japan's surrender, the project came to a halt with only a few aircraft delivered as the Navy Type 99 Bomber Trainer Myōjō Model 22.
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 were replaced by straight tapered alternatives, while the fuselage was lengthened to improve stability.[1] Two prototypes were built during 1944, but 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 and designated the Navy Type 99 Bomber Trainer Myōjō Model 22.[1]
Variants
D3Y1-K Myōjō (Navy Type 99 Bomber Trainer Myōjō Model 22)
A two seat wooden dive-bomber trainer. Powered by a 1,300 hp (970 kW) Mitsubishi Kinsei 54radial engine, based on the Aichi D3A2-K, with significant changes to allow production in wood. Two prototypes and three production aircraft built.[1]
D3Y2-K Myōjō
Single-seat special attack version (Kamikaze) of the D3Y1. The undercarriage would be jettisoned on take off since the aircraft was not expected to return. The prototype had begun construction, but was still incomplete, when the war ended.[1]
1 X as second letter is for experimental aircraft or imported technology demonstrators not intended for service,
2 Hyphenated trailing letter (-J, -K, -L, -N or -S) denotes design modified for secondary role, 3 Possibly incorrect designation, but used in many sources
With some exceptions for rockets, jets and repurposed aircraft, names chosen were for: 1. Winds, 2. Lightning, 3. Nighttime lights, 4. Mountains, 5. Stars/constellations, 6. Seas, 7. Clouds, 8. Plants, 9. Skies, 10. Landscapes, and 11. Flowers. Published translations disagree, and many are simplified, especially for plants, where the Japanese referred to a specific variety and the common translations only to the broader type.
