Yokosuka Type 2 Carrier Recon-Dive Bomber Suisei / D4Y (Judy)
Technical Information
Background
Nicknamed Suisei (彗星) meaning "comet". Code named Judy by the Alies. Built as a replacement for the D3A
Val, it entered service
in large numbers in 1943. Powered by Aicho
Atsuta liquid cooled V-12 engine (based on Geramn Daimler-Benz
DB 600G). Extremely nimble and was the fastest
dive bomber of World War II.
D4Y2
During May 1944, manufacture of the D4Y2 model began. Stream lining blister on the top of the rear portion of the engine cowling (at the break between the forward cowling piece and the rear portion over the accessory section). That is the only way to tell the difference between the two models if you don't have an manufacture number. The little blister was needed to make clearance for an accessory on the Atsuta Model 31/32 engines of the D4Y2 that stuck up higher than the one on the Atsuta Model 21 of the D4Y1.
D4Y3 (Model 33)
During 1944, the engine was replaced with a radial Kinsei 61 engine delivering 1,400hp due to shortages and maintenance issued related to the Atsuta engine. This model was deemed to be more maneuverable at take off and had almost no engine trouble.
The Judy was used in the Battle of the Marianas during September 144 and in the Philippines. During 1945 used as a night fighter armed with an oblique firing cannon in the rear cockpit aimed upward.
Production
A total of 2,038 D4Ys were built as follows:
Dai-Ichi Kaigun Koku Gijitsuho at Yokosuka:
5 13-Shi prototypes (1940-41)
Aichi Kokuki K.K., at the Eitoku Plant, Nagoya:
660 D4Y1 production (Spring 1942-Apr 1944)
326 D4Y2 production (Apr 1944-Aug 1944)
536 D4Y3 production (May 1944-Feb 1944)
296 D4Y4 production (Feb 1945-Aug 1945)
Dai-Juichi Kaigun Kokusho at Hiro:
215 D4Y1, D4Y2 and D4Y3 production (Apr 1944-July 1945)
