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Yokosuka P1Y2-S Kyokko (Aurora)

1944 WORLD WAR 2

History

The Yokosuka P1Y2 "Aurora" ("Aurora") was an offshoot of the original P1Y1 medium bomber (detailed elsewhere on this page) introduced in 1944 for service with the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) during World War II. The bomber's performance has prompted Japanese naval authorities to seek a night-fighter variant of the twin-engine platform to counter the threat posed by the Boeing B-29 Superfortress heavy bomber.

This work resulted in the P1Y2-S and saw Kawanishi commission the conversion of the bomber into a night fighter. Ninety-six aircraft were built to this standard.

The new aircraft is equipped with 2 Mitsubishi "Kasei 25" series 14-cylinder radial piston engines, each producing 1,850 hp (the original bomber was equipped with 2 Nakajima "Homare 11" 18-cylinder engines). The armament has been modified to accept 2 x 20mm Type 99 cannons when mounted obliquely, allowing upward/forward fire to strike the more vulnerable belly of Allied bombers. Additional armament includes a 30mm Type 5 cannon and belly bomb bays, the latter making it possible for the new aircraft to conduct night attacks on ground targets.

In June 1944, the P1Y2-S prototype made its maiden flight. The AI ??radar was mounted on the nose (along with its external antenna structure), and the type was adopted to the IJN shortly after.

The aircraft had a short life later in the war and its performance was deemed unacceptable when attempting to intercept high-flying Boeing B-29s. As a result, many of these aircraft were converted back to their original medium bomber roles, and some were used later in the war as kamikaze weapons against Allied warships.

Another night fighter related to the P1Y1 was developed as the P1Y1-S. This model has 4 x 20mm machine guns mounted on two inclined brackets, one at the front of the cockpit and the other at the rear of the cockpit, and a 13mm machine gun aimed at the rear for defense.

Another change is the inclusion of 2 x 12 Series Nakajima Homare engines rated at 1,825 hp. This variant exists in very limited production and has little impact.