FACTOIDS & TRIVIA

The Yokosuka P1Y1 Ginga (allied code name "Frances") was developed for that Imperial Japanese Navy as a fast, low-altitude bomber. The prototype flew in 1943 and was fast and handled well. Although the design was promising, it was mechanically unreliable which delayed the introduction of the P1Y into combat until October 1944. Production was handed over to Nakajima and Kawanishi and a total of 1,102 aircraft were made before the end of the war. The P1Y proved to be an excellent low-level bomber. It was fast, agile and had incredible range. It was so good, in fact, that some examples were converted into night fighters. But once again, it was too little too late to really have much of an impact. Interestingly, the head designer of the P1Y went on to design some of Japan's early "bullet trains" after the war. Here's a short video of the Ginga flying sorties in War Thunder (an on-line combat flight simulator).
 

YOKOSUKA P1Y1 Model 11 Ginga "Frances"

 

 

 Class: Medium Bomber

 Crew: 3

 Engine: 2 x Nakajima NK9C homare 12 18-cylinder twin-row radial (1,825 hp each)

 Max Speed: 340 mph at 19,357 ft

 Climb Rate:  2,133 ft/min

 Service Ceiling: 30,800 ft

 Range: 3,340 miles

 Armament:  1 x .50 inch machine gun (dorsal canopy), 1 x 20 mm cannon (nose)
                        2,200 lb of bombs or 1 x 1,764 lb torpedo

 

  Model Scale:  1:120




















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