Nakajima B5N ("Kate")
Click HERE to see a more detailed 3-view of the Kate
The first model of the Kate was the B5N1, and it had its operational debut during the conflict in China. It was used both as a torpedo plane and as a conventional bomber. The second version was the B5N2, which began its combat career at Pearl Harbor, when 144 of these planes took part in the attack. It proved to be Japan's best carrier-based torpedo bomber until 1944, when it was replaced by the Nakajima B6N Tenzan. After being replaced by the B6N, the "Kates" were withdrawn to second-line land-based duties, such as being used as antisubmarine convoy escorts. In the last months of the war the B5Ns were reassigned to training and target-towing duties. A total of 1,149 planes were built between 1937 and 1943.
Nakajima B5N2
Type: carrier-based bomber
Service: Japanese Navy Air Force (JNAF)
Crew: three
Armament: one rear-firing 7.7mm Type 92 machine gun
one 1764 lb (800 kg) torpedo or up to 1764 lb (800 kg) bombs
Reference: Francillon: 411, Mondey:
Specifications:
Length: 33' 9.5" (10.3 m)
Height: 12' 1.3" (3.7 m)
Wingspan: 50' 11" (15.518 m)
Wing area: 405.798 sq. ft (37.7 sq. m)
Empty Weight: 5024 lbs (2279 kg)
Loaded Weight: 8378 lbs (3800 kg)
Max Weight: 9039 lbs (4100 kg)
Propulsion:
No. of Engines: 1
Powerplant: Nakajima Nk1B Sakae 11 14-cylinder radial
Horsepower: 1000 hp
Performance:
Range: 1075 naut miles (1237 st miles)
Cruise Speed: 161 mph at 9845 feet (140 kt at 3000 m)
Max Speed: 235 mph at 11810 feet (204 kt at 3600 m)
Climb to/in: 9845 ft (3000 m) in 7 min 40 sec
Ceiling: 27100 ft (8260 m)
Production: approximately 1149 B5Ns total
Additional information on this aircraft can be found at Wikipedia
HERE.
For a very nice scale color drawing of this aircraft, see
here
and
here.
Additional color schemes for this aircraft can be found
here.
(go to Nakajima page)
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