| K4Y | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Role | Floatplane trainer Type of aircraft |
| National origin | Japan |
| Manufacturer | Yokosuka Naval Air Technical Arsenal |
| First flight | 1930 |
| Introduction | 1933 |
| Primary user | Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service |
| Number built | 211 |
TheYokosuka K4Y (orNavy Type 90 Seaplane Trainer) was aJapanesefloatplanetrainer of the 1930s. A single engined two-seatbiplane, 211 K4Ys were built between 1933 and 1940, serving as theImperial Japanese Navy's basic floatplane trainer throughout theSecond World War.
In 1930, theImperial Japanese Navy Air Service's basic seaplane trainer was theYokosuka K1Y or Type 13 Seaplane Trainer, which had been in use from 1925, and it instructed theFirst Naval Air Technical Arsenal based atYokosuka to design a replacement.[1] The design team, led byJiro Saha andTamefumi Suzuki designed asingle-baybiplane with a welded steel-tubefuselage and wooden wings, it being the first Japanese designed aircraft with such a fuselage.[2]
Yokosuka built two prototypes, powered by 90 hp (67 kW) Hatakaze four-cylinder air-cooledinline engines in 1930, flying in 1930, and after successful testing, a version powered by a 130 hpGasuden Jimpu[2] radial engine was ordered into production as theNavy Type 90 Seaplane trainer, with theshort designation K4Y1.[2]
Production began atWatanabe in May 1933, Watanabe building 156 by 1939, with production then transferring to Nippon Hikoki who built a further 53 in 1939–40.[3]
The K4Y1 started to replace the K1Y from 1933, remaining the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service's principal basic seaplane trainer throughout the Pacific war. A few aircraft were released for civilian use.[2][3]
Data fromJapanese Aircraft, 1910-1941[4]
General characteristics
Performance
