During World War II, all the major powers fielded fast, versatile, twin-engine medium bombers of varying quality. Yokusuka (pronounced 'yo-koos-ka') designed the P1Y Ginga for low-altitude torpedo and dive-bombing attacks. When the Japanese navy placed it in service, the aircraft proved mediocre compared to more successful designs, such as the De Havilland D. H. 98 Mosquito, Martin B-26 Marauder, North American B-25 Mitchell, and the Junkers Ju-88. Flight trials began during the summer of 1943 but the Homare engines fitted to the P1Y1 proved unreliable and difficult to maintain. The navy would not accept the aircraft for over a year. Yokusuka made numerous changes and the FRANCES finally went into combat in early spring 1945. The airplane flew with good speed, and several of them were used to carry out Kamikaze suicide attacks against American warships.
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
1945
Japan
CRAFT-Aircraft
Twin-engine, conventional layout with tailwheel landing gear.
Overall: 430 x 1500cm, 7265kg, 2000cm (14ft 1 5/16in. x 49ft 2 9/16in., 16016.4lb., 65ft 7 3/8in.)
Metal monocoque construction
A19600340000
Transferred from the U.S. Air Force
National Air and Space Museum
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