The Yokosuka B4Y was a carrier-based biplane, which was used by the Imperial Japanese Navy as a torpedo-bomber during the first years of World War II. Designed by Sanae Kawasaki, the prototype first flew in 1935, entering service in 1936. It was manufactured by the Yokosuka Naval Air Technical Arsenal, with 205 biplane aircraft. Its official designation was Type 96.
The Yokosuka B4Y saw combat action during the Japanese invasion of China from Manchuria in 1937. During this time, it flew combat sorties as a bomber, taking off from land airfields. It would also take part in the Battle of Midway in June, 1942. From then on, this Japanese biplane would be used only as a trainer until 1944. It was replaced by the Nakajima B5N monoplane.
Technical Characteristics
The Yokosuka B4Y was a three-seat, single-engine biplane. The airframe was all-metal and covered by fabric. The wing upper plane had a longer span than the lower plane, and they were both joined together by metal struts. The landing gear was fixed, as most biplanes. Its powerplant consisted of one Nakajima Hikari 2, 9-cylinder, air-cooled radial engine, which produced 840 HP.
Specifications (B4Y1 version)
Type: torpedo-bomber
Length: 10.15 m (33 feet, 4 inches)
Wingspan: 15 m (49 feet, 3 inches)
Height: 4.36 m (14 feet, 4 inches)
Maximum Speed: 278 km/h (173 mph)
Range: 1,573 km (977 miles)
Armament: one 7.7mm Type 92 machine gun, which was mounted on rear portion of cockpit for rearward firing. One 800-kg torpedo, or equivalent weight in bombs.
Crew: 3
The Yokosuka B4Y flying over the Pacific in 1939, with the aircraft carrier Akagi down below.
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