Yokosuka K5Y
Imperial Japanese Naval Air Service · Japan · first flew 1933 · light aircraft
The Yokosuka K5Y (Allied reporting name 'Willow') was the Imperial Japanese Navy's standard primary biplane trainer from the mid-1930s through the Second World War, used to train the pilots who flew in operations from Pearl Harbor to the end of the Pacific War. It was produced in very large numbers and remained in service until 1945.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.78 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Japanese Navy primary biplane trainer — Allied code name 'Willow'
- Equal-span biplane with radial engine and fixed undercarriage
- Used throughout WWII to train thousands of Japanese naval aviators
A conventional equal-span biplane with a radial engine, open tandem cockpits, and fixed undercarriage. The large upper wing root fillets and clean lines of the fuselage distinguish it from earlier and cruder biplane trainers.
Specifications
- The Yokosuka K5Y has a length of 8.78 m (29 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11 m (36 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 200 km/h (124 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Entering service in 1935, the K5Y was built in both landplane and floatplane versions and produced by multiple manufacturers. Over 5,700 were built, making it one of the most numerous Japanese aircraft of the war. Late in the conflict, K5Y aircraft were prepared for use as kamikaze attack trainers and finally as special attack aircraft themselves.
Variants
The K5Y1 was the landplane version; the K5Y2 was a floatplane trainer with twin floats replacing the wheeled undercarriage.
Where you'll see it
Served throughout the Imperial Japanese Navy's training establishment from 1935 to 1945; no post-war operational use.
Related aircraft
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