Yokosuka Tenga (Milky Way)

History

During World War II, Imperial Japan faced a shortage of medium bombers compared to their Allied counterparts. The Mitsubishi G4M ("Betty") served as a capable medium bomber throughout the war, while the Yokosuka P1Y "Ginga" was its successor, operational from October 1944 to August 1945, with 1,102 units produced. The P1Y demonstrated versatility, adapting to various roles, but it fell short of making a significant impact due to its limited production.

In an attempt to expedite the development of a fast jet bomber, Japanese engineers turned to the P1Y and proposed the "Tenga." This envisioned aircraft retained the Ginga's fuselage but featured a redesigned main-wing plane with turbojets. Modeled after the German Arado Ar 234, the Tenga aimed for impressive performance metrics, including a top speed of 450 mph, cruising speed of 425 mph, service ceiling of 30,000 feet, and a range of over 950 miles. Despite extensive design work and testing, the Tenga never progressed beyond the conceptual stage, facing challenges in converting a piston engine design to a turbojet.

The Tenga's propulsion system relied on the Ne-30 turbojet, boasting a thrust of approximately 1,873 pounds per engine and a total output of 3,745 pounds. However, operational issues led to the discontinuation of the Ne-30 in early 1945. The proposed armament for the Tenga included a nose-mounted 20mm autocannon and a rear-facing autocannon, replaceable with 13mm heavy machine guns. Despite its innovative design, doubts about the feasibility of converting existing piston engine designs to turbojets prevented the Tenga from becoming a reality, much like similar projects envisioned by the Germans and Americans during the war.

Specification

BASICS

Year of Service: 1946

Origins: Empire of Japan

Status: Cancel

Crew: 3

Production: 0

Maker: Yokosuka (Kaigun Koku-Gijutsu-Sho - Kugisho) - Imperial Japan

Operators: Empire of Japan (removed at thesis stage)

Ground attack (bombing, strafing): The ability to conduct air strikes against ground targets using (but not limited to) artillery, bombs, rockets, rockets, etc.

X-Plane (development, prototype, tech demo): Aircraft designed for prototyping, technology demonstration, or research/data collection.

Notable Features

Armor

Armor assigned to protect the pilot/crew compartment and/or critical operating systems enhances survivability.

Multi-engine

Include two or more engines to improve survivability and/or performance.

Sturdy aircraft frame

The inherent ability of the airframe to take significant damage.

Inner bay

Hull volume includes space for internal weapons or special mission equipment.

High-speed performance

Can accelerate to higher speeds than the average aircraft at the time.

High performance

The ability to fly and operate at higher altitudes than the average aircraft of the day.

Extended range performance

Ability to travel long distances using on-board fuel supplies.

Super performance

The design covers the three key performance categories of speed, altitude and range.

Seaport

Able to operate over the ocean and survive certain harsh marine environments.

Rescue process

A manual process to allow the pilot and/or crew to exit in the event of an onboard emergency.

Depression in crew members

Support the pressurization required for crew survival at higher operating altitudes.

Crew management

In addition to the pilot, the aircraft also employs additional crew members who specialize in specific functions on the aircraft.

Rifle positions

Defensive weapon location for attack/suppression.

Rear gun

Defensive rear-facing gun emplacements to neutralize enemy targets coming from behind.

Enclosed crew room

There are partially or fully enclosed crew work areas.

Scalable

Has retractable/retractable landing gear to maintain aerodynamic efficiency.

Torpedo weapons

Ability to launch/release torpedoes against maritime threats/targets.

Camera equipment

Payload supports photographic devices that provide still and/or live image/video results.

Dimensions and Weight

Length: 49.2 feet (15.00m)

Width/span: 65.6 feet (20.00m)

Height: 14.1 ft (4.30m)

Cured weight: 16,865 lbs (7,650 kg)

MTOW: 69,446 lbs (31,500 kg)

Wgt Difference: +52,580 lbs (+23,850 kg)

MAINPLANE STRUCTURE

Monoplane

Designed to use a single main wing main aircraft; this is the most popular arrangement of main aircraft.

Central Install

The main aircraft is mounted below the center on the sides of the fuselage.

Straight

Floor plans involve the use of simple, straight main plan elements.

Performance

Installed: 2 x Ishikawajima Ne-30 turbojets, each producing 1,873 pounds of thrust.

Maximum speed: 450 km/h (725 km/h | 391 knots)

Cruising speed: 426 km/h (685 km/h | 370 knots)

Maximum speed difference: +40 km/h (+40 km/h | 22 knots)

Maximum: 30,003 feet (9,145 m | 6 km)

Area: 951 km (1,530 km | 2,834 nautical miles)

Rate of climb: 2,500 ft/min (762 m/min)

Weapon

1 x 20mm autocannon mounted on a trainable nose mount.

1 x 20mm automatic cannon, mounted in a trainable back position. Up to 3,535 lb conventionally thrown bomb or 1 x 1,764 lb torpedo.