D3Y Myōjō
The Yokosuka D3Y Myōjō (明星, "Venus") was a twin-seat dive bomber and trainer aircraft designed by the Yokosuka Naval Air Technical Arsenal and produced by the Japanese aviation manufacturer Matsushita Koku Kogyo K.K.
Derived from the Aichi D3A dive bomber, work began on the D3Y during late 1943 amid the Pacific War under the initial designation of Y-50. In light of known material and labour constrains from the onset of development, the D3Y was composed nearly entirely of wood in order to conserve strategic resources and its design was simplified so that semi-skilled workers could participate in the construction effort. In the closing months of the conflict, the single-seat D3Y2 Special Attacker Myōjō Kai (Venus Modified) variant was also being designed specifically to conduct kamikaze attacks, although the respective prototype was never completed. Only three production standard aircraft, designated Navy Type 99 Bomber Trainer Myōjō Model 22, had been delivered prior to the Surrender of Japan, at which point further work on the project was terminated.
Derived from the Aichi D3A dive bomber, work began on the D3Y during late 1943 amid the Pacific War under the initial designation of Y-50. In light of known material and labour constrains from the onset of development, the D3Y was composed nearly entirely of wood in order to conserve strategic resources and its design was simplified so that semi-skilled workers could participate in the construction effort. In the closing months of the conflict, the single-seat D3Y2 Special Attacker Myōjō Kai (Venus Modified) variant was also being designed specifically to conduct kamikaze attacks, although the respective prototype was never completed. Only three production standard aircraft, designated Navy Type 99 Bomber Trainer Myōjō Model 22, had been delivered prior to the Surrender of Japan, at which point further work on the project was terminated.
