Description
Book SynopsisIn 1938, the Yokosuka Naval Air Technical Arsenal, acting under the requirements issued by the Kaigun Koku Hombu for a Navy Experimental 13-Shi Carrier Borne specification for a dive-bomber to replace the venerable Val' aboard carriers. The resulting D4Y Suisei (Comet')
, codenamed Judy' by the Allies, was initially powered by a licence-built German Daimler-Benz DB 601 inline engine as used in the Bf 109E. Despite making an inauspicious combat debut during the Battle of Midway in June 1942, the Judy' eventually proved to be an important asset for the IJNAF during battles in the latter years of the Pacific War. Its great successes resulted in the sinking of the escort carrier USS
Princeton in an early kamikaze attack of the Philippines and the near sinking of the fleet carrier
USS Franklin in a dive-bombing attack off Japan. While the Judy had an impressive top-speed, like its predecessor, and many other Japanese military aircraft, it possessed design shortcomings in
Table of Contents1. Design and Development 2. Battle of Midway 3. Truk and the Marianas 4. Formosa and the Philippines 5. Kamikazes 6. D4Y2-S Nightfighter Appendices Index
