Yokosuka D4Y Suisei "Judy"
Yokosuka Naval Air Technical Arsenal · Japan · first flew 1940 · bomber
The Yokosuka D4Y Suisei (Comet) was a Japanese carrier-based dive bomber that was one of the fastest aircraft of its class during World War II. It served throughout the Pacific War and in later variants was used in kamikaze attacks.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 10.22 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Japanese carrier-based dive bomber, Allied codename 'Judy'
- Inline Aichi Atsuta engine giving clean nose lines
- Distinctive large dive brakes beneath wings
Distinguished from the earlier Aichi D3A by its inline engine giving a longer, narrower nose, retractable undercarriage, and a sleeker profile — resembles a Japanese answer to the SBD Dauntless in purpose but with a very different powerplant.
Specifications
- The Yokosuka D4Y Suisei has a length of 10.22 m (34 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.5 m (38 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 574 km/h (357 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Inspired partly by the Heinkel He 118, the D4Y entered service in 1942 and initially served as a fast reconnaissance aircraft before its dive bomber role was confirmed. Despite its speed advantage, it suffered from structural weakness in early variants and engine unreliability. Later versions switched to radial engines. The D4Y5 Tokai was a dedicated kamikaze version.
Variants
The D4Y1 and D4Y2 used inline engines; the D4Y3 switched to the Mitsubishi Kinsei radial; the D4Y4 was a single-seat kamikaze variant. The D4Y1-C was the reconnaissance version.
Where you'll see it
Served throughout the Pacific with the Imperial Japanese Navy aboard carriers Shōkaku, Zuikaku, and others; used extensively at the Battle of the Philippine Sea and in kamikaze operations at Okinawa.
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