[HAPPYNEWYEAR2026] D4Y2

General background

The Yokosuka D4Y2 Suisei was the Japanese counterpart to the SBD Dauntless.
While the Dauntless was known for its durability and armor, the D4Y2 focused heavily on speed.

The D4Y2 is widely regarded as the fastest dive bomber of World War II.
To achieve this performance, compromises were made in the design, particularly in:

-Armor protection

-Maximum bomb weight

As a result, the standard internal bomb load was limited to 250 kg.

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Airbrakes

Like other dive bombers, the D4Y2 was equipped with airbrakes to control speed during a dive.

The airbrake is activated by pressing X

The first activation may take a few seconds to engage

Rapidly pressing the key can negatively affect aircraft control

Proper use of the airbrake is essential for maintaining stability during a dive attack.
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Bomb release mechanism

The D4Y2 carried its main bomb internally inside the fuselage.
To safely release the bomb without risking contact with the propeller or fuselage, the aircraft used a deployable bomb arm.

Release sequence:

The bomb bay opens

The bomb arm swings downward and forward

The bomb is moved clear of the fuselage

Only then is the bomb released

This mechanism has been recreated on this model.
When a bomb is released, the movement of the bomb arm can be seen, reflecting the real aircraft’s design.
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Why this aircraft

I felt it was important to include a Japanese counterpart among the available dive bombers.
For a change, this aircraft was created by personal choice, rather than as a commission or request.
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TAG: WW2,JAPAN,IMPERIAL,AIRFORCE.

Final words

Thank you all for the continued support throughout 2025.
Best wishes, and thank you for making this such a great year.