Yokosuka R2Y

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Yokosuka R2Y
Role Reconnaissance, Fighter
Manufacturer Yokosuka
First flight 8 May 1945
Status Cancelled
Primary user Imperial Japanese Navy (intended)
Number built 3 (1 completed)

The Yokosuka R2Y Keiun (景雲 - "Cirrus Cloud") was a prototype reconnaissance aircraft built in Japan late in World War II.

Design and development[edit]

Commissioned for the Imperial Japanese Navy after the R1Y design was cancelled due to its disappointing performance estimates, the R2Y used coupled engines driving a single propeller and also featured a tricycle undercarriage.

Completed in April 1945, the prototype made a short flight on 8 May, but was destroyed in a US air raid only a few days later, thus ending development.

A proposal was also made to develop the R2Y into a turbojet-powered light bomber by replacing its piston engines with two Mitsubishi Ne-330s. Designated the R2Y2 Keiun Kai, was not constructed before the end of the war.

Specifications (R2Y1)[edit]

Data from Japanese Secret Projects: Experimental Aircraft of the IJA and IJN 1939–1945,[1] Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War[2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2 pilot and radio operator
  • Length: 13.04 m (42 ft 9 in)
  • Wingspan: 13.99 m (45 ft 11 in)
  • Height: 4.23 m (13 ft 11 in)
  • Wing area: 33.99 m2 (365.9 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 6,015 kg (13,261 lb)
  • Gross weight: 8,100 kg (17,857 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 9,400 kg (20,723 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 1,555 L (411 US gal; 342 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Aichi Ha-70 (unified) 24-cylinder liquid-cooled coupled V-12 piston engines, 2,500 kW (3,400 hp) for take-off
2,312 kW (3,100 hp) at 3,000 m (9,800 ft)
  • Propellers: 6-bladed constant-speed metal propeller

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 718.5 km/h (446.5 mph, 388.0 kn) at 10,000 m (33,000 ft)
  • Cruise speed: 463 km/h (288 mph, 250 kn) at 4,000 m (13,000 ft)
  • Landing speed: 166 km/h (103 mph; 90 kn)
  • Range: 3,139 km (1,950 mi, 1,695 nmi)
  • Ferry range: 3,611 km (2,244 mi, 1,950 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 11,700 m (38,400 ft)
  • Time to altitude: 10,000 m (33,000 ft) in 21 minutes
  • Wing loading: 238.26 kg/m2 (48.80 lb/sq ft)
  • Power/mass: 0.316 kW/kg (0.192 hp/lb)

See also[edit]

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Dyer, Edwin M. III (2009). Japanese Secret Projects:Experimental Aircraft of the ITA and IJN 1939–1945. Hinkley: Midland Publishing. pp. 78–80. ISBN 978 1857803.
  2. ^ Francillon 1979, p. 475.

Bibliography[edit]

  • Francillon, René J. (1979). Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War (2nd ed.). London: Putnam & Company. ISBN 0-370-30251-6.
  • Millot, Bernard (November 1975). "Le Yokosuka R2Y". Le Fana de l'Aviation (in French) (75): 11–14. ISSN 0757-4169.