| Yokosuka B3Y | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Torpedo Bomber |
| Manufacturer | Kaigun Koku-Gijutsu-Sho - Kugisho) -(Naval Air Technical Arsenal) |
| Primary user | Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service |
| Number built | 129 |
| History | |
| Introduction date | 1933 |
TheKugisho B3Y, orNavy Type 92 Carrier Attack Bomber, also popularly titledYokosuka B3Y, was a Japanesecarrier-basedtorpedo bomber of the 1930s. It was designed by theNaval Air Technical Arsenal at Yokosuka, and while unimpressive during testing, it was ordered into service by theImperial Japanese Navy and used until replaced by more capable aircraft.
In 1932, the Imperial Japanese Navy had a requirement, 7-Shi,[1] for a newtorpedobomber to replace theMitsubishi B2M. The air arsenal at Yokosuka prepared its own design to meet this requirement, competing against designs byMitsubishi andNakajima.
The resulting aircraft was a three-seat single-enginebiplane, with a fuselage of steel tube construction and two-bay wooden wings that couldfold rearwards for storage aboardaircraft carriers. It was powered by a singleHiro Type 91W engine rated at 450 kW (600 hp).[2]
Testing proved that the aircraft had poor stability and control, and that the engine was unreliable. The competing Mitsubishi and Nakajima aircraft were even less successful however, and after modifications made by Tokuichiro Gomei ofAichi Kokuki, the aircraft was accepted by the Navy in August 1933 as theKugisho Navy Type 92 Carrier Attack Bomber, with ashort designation ofB3Y1, with production byAichi,Watanabe and theHiro Naval Arsenal, 129 being produced by the time that production finished in 1936.[2]
The B3Y1 continued to be prone to engine problems, which frequently caused the type to be grounded. It served operationally in the early part of theSecond Sino-Japanese War,[3][4] gaining a good reputation for accurate level bombing against small targets.[2] The Yokosuka B3Y was gradually phased out of operational service, being replaced by Aichi'sD1Adive bomber and Yokosuka'sB4Y torpedo bomber.[2]
Data fromJapanese Aircraft, 1910–1941[2]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
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