Yokosuka D3Y Myōjō
The Yokosuka D3Y Myōjō, meaning "Venus," was a Japanese two-seat dive bomber trainer built by the Yokosuka Naval Air Arsenal. It was developed from the Aichi D3A and was made mostly of wood to save scarce resources.
Development began in 1942, and the aircraft first flew in 1945. It was a low-wing, two-seat monoplane with a fixed tailwheel. To allow construction by unskilled workers, the designers simplified the wing and tail and lengthened the fuselage for better stability.
Two prototypes were built in 1944, but they were heavier than expected. Three production aircraft were completed before the war ended and were redesigned to save weight; these were delivered to the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service as the Navy Type 99 Bomber Trainer Myōjō Model 22.
After Japan surrendered, the project was cancelled, and only a few Myōjōs were delivered.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 02:40 (CET).