P1Y1 mod. 11

P1Y1 mod. 11

D4Y3 Ko

B7A2

P1Y1 mod. 11

D4Y3 Ko

B7A2

Japan

III Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
3.3	3.3	4.0

Class:

Bomber

Dive bomber

Torpedo bomber

Research:18 000

Purchase:47 000

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This page is about the Japanese dive bomber P1Y1 mod. 11. For the Chinese version, see P1Y1 mod. 11 (China).

Description

The P1Y1 mod. 11 "Ginga" is a rank III Japanese dive bomber with a battle rating of 3.3 (AB/RB) and 4.0 (SB). It was introduced in Update 1.63 "Desert Hunters".

The P1Y1 was nicknamed "Frances" by the Allied pilots, and "Ginga" (Galaxy) by Japanese pilots. The Ginga is known for being one of the fastest bombers and is played similarly to the German Ju 288 and Arado 234. The overall tactic - dive, drop payload, retreat, repeat. The P1Y1 can go a little over 675 km/h (400 mph) in a dive, which is very fast for the battle rating.

P1Y1 in flight. Note its sleek wings, aerodynamic design, and thin fuselage.

Unfortunately, the P1Y1 is a rather fragile aircraft, specifically to its detriment it has poor defensive guns and sadly has no turret coverage for the underside of the aircraft. This typically results in a situation where the P1Y1 is easy prey to enemy fighters attacking from underneath without fear of reprisal.

The P1Y1 becomes extremely vulnerable after the loss of both speed and altitude. Since the P1Y1 can outrun most fighters (with the exception of the P-61s, P-51s, and P-47s), you can speed away to fighter cover or the home airfield if caught in a sticky situation. For the planes you can't outrun, there are one of two strategies. If the plane chasing you is heavier than the P1Y1, you can generally outmanoeuvre it, which will make them lose energy and retreat. Another strategy is making them follow behind your rear gunner, so long as your gunner is firing, the enemy aircraft will need to manoeuvre to avoid being hit, effectively messing up their attempts to line you up in their gun-sights.

P1Y1 torpedoes a fast-moving destroyer. On naval maps, this plane can cause chaos for the enemy ships.

General info

Flight performance

The P1Y1 is a highly agile and fast aircraft. It can make sharp turns and can pull out of a dive quickly with the use of airbrakes. The airbrakes on this plane are extremely effective, but they take five seconds to deploy, so keep that in mind. The P1Y1 can also turn extremely well, although its roll rate is rather poor. The plane has good elevator authority, meaning it will be able to pull up very quickly. This is good for ground battles or naval battles. The performance of the P1Y1 is excellent. There is only one small flaw, and that is the P1Y1 locks up at redline speeds, so make sure to use those airbrakes!

The P1Y1's frontal gunner opens fire

Characteristics	Max Speed (km/h at 5,900 m)		Max altitude (metres)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (metres/second)		Take-off run (metres)
	AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
Stock	523	506	9400	26.9	27.5	6.5	6.5	720
Upgraded	573	546		25.7	26.0	15.2	10.2

Details

Features
Combat flaps	Take-off flaps	Landing flaps	Air brakes	Arrestor gear
✓	✓	✓	✓	X

Limits
Wings (km/h)	Gear (km/h)	Flaps (km/h)			Max Static G
		Combat	Take-off	Landing	+	-
0	275	450	450	275	~6	~3

Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons	Rudder	Elevators	Radiator
< 360	< 360	< 400	> 301

Survivability and armour

• 7 mm Steel plate behind the pilot
• Self-sealing fuel tanks

Armaments

Suspended armament

The P1Y1 mod. 11 can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

• 2 x 250 kg Navy Type Number 25 Model 2 bombs (500 kg total)
• 1 x 850 kg Type 91 Model 3 torpedo
• 2 x 500 kg Navy Type Number 50 Model 2 bombs (1,000 kg total)
• 1 x 800 kg Navy Type Number 80 Model 1 bomb (800 kg total)

The P1Y1's rear gunner view. It provides cover for a good portion of the plane's upper rear.

Defensive armament

The P1Y1 mod. 11 is defended by:

• 1 x 20 mm Type 99 Model 1 cannon, nose turret (225 rpg)
• 1 x 20 mm Type 99 Model 1 cannon, dorsal turret (225 rpg)

The 20 mm cannons on the Ginga are early Type 99 cannons, so they do not have good explosive filler. What's more is that the cannons are inaccurate, and have a low rate of fire. Do not expect to go kill anything with them. What you can do is use these cannons as a deterrent. You can outrun a P-51 using a special method that is known to Ginga pilots as "scrambling." Since the P1Y1 has a good top speed, you can show your rear of the aircraft to the approaching fighter. If they are catching up, dive. If you hit the deck and are cruising at ground level, you can force the enemy fighter to tail behind your 20 mm. This gives you a great shot at them, and it will most likely deter them.

Usage in battles

P1Y1 over frozen pass

In Arcade battles, the light payload is somewhat countered by the ability to reload. It is recommended to use the plane to hit high-value targets such as pillboxes since it is limited to 2 bombs (though it is one of the few Japanese medium bombers able to carry 2 x 500 kg). Other planes with larger numbers of 60 kg bombs are better suited for taking out tanks and soft targets. It is at a huge disadvantage when compared to planes such as the B7A2, which has forward cannons able to strafe soft ground targets while bombs reload. As such, most pilots would use the B7A2 over the P1Y1, though this plane may still be useful in one's lineup for use after the B7A2 has been lost.

In Realistic tank battles, the best option is likely to take the 2 x 500 kg bomb option and again use its speed to quickly get in, hit 2 targets and run away before enemy fighters realize it is there and intercepts. Again, its speed should allow multiple runs somewhat making up for the light payload.

Direct hit!

In Realistic battles, the main question is how to utilise this rather delicate aircraft effectively. The general tactic which provides the most effective outcome is to use this aircraft as a ground pounder. The most effective targets for this aircraft will be pillboxes, vehicles and anti-aircraft artillery. Leave the dog-fighting, bomber hunting and base bombing for the arcade battles. This is for a number of reasons, the first being the Ginga's payload which consists of only one 800 kg bomb or two 500 kg bombs. That being said, this measly amount barely has enough destructive power to destroy half a base. Instead, pillboxes will provide excellent sources of research points and will bleed enemy tickets. To kill pillboxes, take the 500 kg bombs with a two-second fuse. To set up a run, you will need to dive as soon as the match starts and need to be as close to the ground as possible to accurately bomb the pillboxes. Try to drop the bomb just a little before the crosshair, due to a slight delay in the bomb drop. This shouldn't be too noticeable, so just remember to release the bombs a little before you typically would release them. After destroying two pillboxes, destroy lightly armoured targets with your turrets, or, if there are enemy fighters inbound, go in a straight line for your home base and keep your speed high. Reload, repair, and get back out on the next target! The Ginga can make many bombing runs in one match thanks to its speed.

Unfortunately, there might be a problem on Pacific maps as carrier landings in the P1Y1 are tricky. If the carrier is moving, your option is to try to land on it. Drop your speed to around 165 km/h (100 mph), with landing flaps and gear, but without airbrakes. Next, land on the very edge of the carrier and retract flaps and use airbrakes. If you break a wing on the tower, it should stop and repair you. However, if the carrier isn't moving the safest option is to belly land. Try going as slow as possible and try to land flat, not tail first. Snapping a wing on the tower is a good idea because it will aid in bringing you to a full stop.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer	Pitch	Radiator			Supercharger	Turbocharger
		Oil	Water	Type
Controllable	Controllable Not auto controlled	Controllable Auto control available	Controllable Auto control available	Separate	Controllable 2 gears	Not controllable

P1Y1 climbs to altitude

The Ginga has solid engines, providing a maximum combined 3,662 units of horsepower on takeoff. They also come with a two-stage supercharger. The propeller pitch should be used at 90%-100% when on WEP. Lower the propeller pitch to 90% when at high speeds. The radiators can be kept at 10-20%, and the supercharger can be activated at 3.5 km (11k ft), and the mixture can be set to the following at each specific altitude:

• Sea Level: 100%-110% Mixture
• 3000 feet: 92% Mixture
• 6000 feet: 84% Mixture
• 1000 feet: 70% Mixture
• 15000 feet: 60% Mixture

Modules

Tier	Flight performance		Survivability	Weaponry
I	Fuselage repair	Radiator		Turret 20 mm	17 3/4 in (mod45)
II		Compressor	Airframe	New 20 mm cannons (turret)
III	Wings repair	Engine			14 in (mod30)
IV		Engine injection	Cover		14 in (mod35)

The stock payload for the Ginga is poor, so rush all payload modules. The torpedo will be useful on Pacific maps to target destroyers. However, if cargo ships or pillboxes are present, the 500 kg bombs are your best bet.

Pros and cons

The Ginga's frontal gunner view.

Pros:

• Very fast & surprisingly maneuverable
• 20 mm turrets quickly destroy fighters when they hit
• Has really effective airbrakes
• Its speed forces enemies to tail you in line with your rear gunner
• Bomber airspawn
• Can carry torpedoes

Cons:

• No fixed forward armament
• Very limited payload
• Forward turret has a very limited firing arc, and AI gunner rarely engages.
• Long gunner reload time
• Inaccurate and slow firing 20mms

History

A P1Y disembarks from Iwo Jima, early 1945. Note the early Ginga could have a bomb bay door, something not seen on the G4M1

The first flight was in August 1943. Nakajima manufactured 1,002 examples, which were operated by five Kōkūtai (Air Groups), and acted as land-based medium and torpedo bombers from airfields in China, Taiwan, the Mariana Islands, the Philippines, the Ryukyu Islands, Shikoku, and Kyūshū. During the last stages of the war, the P1Y was used as a kamikaze aircraft against the United States Navy during the Okinawa Campaign in Operation Tan No. 2.

A night fighter version, the P1Y2-S Kyokko (極光, "Aurora"), with Mitsubishi Kasei engines, was equipped with radar and Schräge Musik-style upward-firing as well as forward-firing 20 mm cannon. A total of 96 were produced by Kawanishi, but due to inadequate high-altitude performance against the B-29 Superfortress, many were converted back to Ginga bombers.

Media

• 

  P1Y1 scores a direct hit on an enemy tank in Ground RB

• 

  The P1Y1 pulling a manoeuvre over a low bridge

• 

  P1Y1 strapped with a torpedo

• 

  Unfortunately, the P1Y1 has no underside turret coverage, diving to the deck preventing fighters from approaching lower angles is generally the best plan.

• 

  P1Y1 releases its Mod. 2 torpedo

• 

  The P1Y1's turret cannon, a Type 99 M1

• 

  The Ginga's cockpit

• 

  AAA points at the Ginga

• 

  "Frances" attacks AI Catalina at Wake Island

• 

  Score!

Videos

War Thunder - P1Y1 "Target Practice!" - Bo Time Gaming

War Thunder - Should you get the P1Y1? - Brada Templar

Yokosuka P1Y1 "Ginga" Torpedo Run - War Thunder - _GamingWorld_

See also

• G4M2 - The predecessor to the P1Y1
• T18B-1 - A Swedish Torpedo bomber with two engines
• Do-217 -A German twin-engine torpedo bomber
• B7A2 - A more practical Japanese torpedo bomber

External links

• War Thunder Forum - Aircraft Data Sheets - P1Y1 mod.11 "Ginga"

Yokosuka Naval Air Technical Arsenal (海軍航空技術廠)
Bombers	D4Y1 · D4Y2 · D4Y3 Ko
	P1Y1 mod. 11
Jet fighters	R2Y2 Kai V1 · R2Y2 Kai V2 · R2Y2 Kai V3
Captured	␗P1Y1 mod. 11
	While the arsenal was simply known as the Naval Air Technical Arsenal and usually referred to as Kūgi-shō (Kaigun Kōkū Gijutsu-shō).
	The name Yokosuka prevailed however, even though it referred to the Arsenal's location.
See also	Yokosuka Naval Arsenal (Shipyard)

Japan bombers
Navy
Carrier-based attack bomber
B5N	B5N2
B6N	B6N1 · B6N2 · B6N2a
B7A	B7A2 · B7A2 (Homare 23)
Carrier-based dive bomber
D3A	D3A1
D4Y	D4Y1 · D4Y2 · D4Y3 Ko
Shipboard Observation seaplane
F1M	F1M2
Land-based Attack bomber
G4M	G4M1
G5N	G5N1
G8N	G8N1
Flying boat
H6K	H6K4
H8K	H8K2 · H8K3
Land-based Bomber
P1Y	P1Y1
Army
Light	Ki-32
	Ki-48-II otsu
Heavy	Ki-21-Ia · Ki-21-I hei
	Ki-49-I · Ki-49-IIa · Ki-49-IIb · Ki-49-IIb/L
	Ki-67-I Ko · Ki-67-I otsu
Other countries	▅B-17E