The was a Japanese two-seat dive bomber/trainer designed and built by the

Yokosuka Naval Air Technical Arsenal had many names, each depending on the period of its existence, and the circumstances at that time. Many of the names were acronyms that were derived from its military name or designation, which changed from time to time. The arsenal was sometim ...

. Derived from the

Aichi D3A The Aichi D3A Type 99 Carrier Bomber ( Allied reporting name "Val") is a World War II carrier-borne dive bomber. It was the primary dive bomber of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) and was involved in almost all IJN actions, including the at ...

, 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 Myojo 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

with design starting in late 1942. Like the D3A, it was a two-seat low-winged

monoplane A monoplane is a fixed-wing aircraft configuration with a single mainplane, in contrast to a biplane or other types of multiplanes, which have multiple planes. A monoplane has inherently the highest efficiency and lowest drag of any wing confi ...

with a fixed

tailwheel undercarriage Conventional landing gear, or tailwheel-type landing gear, is an aircraft An aircraft is a vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air. It counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynami ...

. 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. 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 The was the Naval aviation, air arm of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN). The organization was responsible for the operation of naval aircraft and the conduct of aerial warfare in the Pacific War. The Japanese military acquired their first air ...

before the end of the war, and designated the Navy Type 99 Bomber Trainer Myojo Model 22.

Variants

; D3Y1-K ''Myojo'' (Navy Type 99 Bomber Trainer Myojo Model 22) :A two seat wooden dive-bomber trainer. Powered by a Mitsubishi Kinsei 54

radial engine The radial engine is a reciprocating type internal combustion engine configuration in which the cylinders "radiate" outward from a central crankcase like the spokes of a wheel. It resembles a stylized star when viewed from the front, and is ca ...

, based on the Aichi D3A2-K, with significant changes to allow production in wood. Two prototypes and three production aircraft built. ; D3Y2-K ''Myojo'' :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. ; D5Y1 ''Myojo Kai'' (Navy Special Attacker Myojo Kai) : Production designation given to the D3Y2-K.

Operators

; *

Design and development

Variants

Operators

Specifications (D3Y2-K)

See also

References

Further reading