Yokosuka R2Y
Yokosuka · Japan · first flew 1945 · bomber
The Yokosuka R2Y Keiun (Beautiful Cloud) was a Japanese experimental high-speed reconnaissance bomber with a unique coupled-engine arrangement, intended to outrun Allied interceptors.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Two Aichi Ha-60 engines buried in fuselage driving a single nose propeller |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Japanese WWII experimental high-speed bomber with coupled engines driving contra-rotating propeller
- Two Aichi Ha-60 engines buried in fuselage driving a single nose propeller
- Only one prototype flew before war's end
An unusual low-wing monoplane with a very clean fuselage, no visible engine nacelles, and a large contra-rotating propeller at the nose — the engines are hidden in the fuselage.
Specifications
- The Yokosuka R2Y has a length of 13.05 m (43 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 12.5 m (41 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 575 km/h (357 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed by Watanabe Jiro at the Yokosuka Naval Air Technical Arsenal, the R2Y paired two Aichi Ha-60 engines in the fuselage driving a single nose propeller through an extension shaft. The single prototype was damaged on the ground by US bombing before meaningful testing could be completed.
Variants
The R2Y2 was a projected jet-powered version using twin Mitsubishi Ne-330 turbojets; it was never built.
Where you'll see it
Never entered operational service; the prototype was destroyed before meaningful flight testing.
Related aircraft
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 5,024 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.