The replica Kate torpedo bombers were created for the movie by combining sections of American AT-6 Texan and BT-13 trainers.
TORA! TORA! TORA!
JAPANESE KATE TORPEDO BOMBER REPLICAS
The replica Kate torpedo bombers were created for the movie by combining
sections of American AT-6 Texan and BT-13 trainers.
The structure added to the Kate incorporated a carrier tail hook attach point
and the adaptation
for the BT-13 tail section. When finished, the Kate is a combination of BT and
AT.
(courtesy of Air Classics magazine, Feb. 1969
issue)
The Kate goes together. The T-6 structure is in front and the BT-13 section is
behind. The added frame is from
arrow to arrow in the picture. The engine on the Kate was moved forward over two
feet to further stretch the T-6's length.
(courtesy of Air Classics magazine, Feb. 1969
issue)
One of the modifications was the sweeping wing-to-fuselage fillet indicated by a
Stewart-Davis craftsman. It was "mods" like this that complimented the BT-13's
design to give it more speed.
(courtesy of Air Classics magazine, Feb. 1969
issue)
Here we see one of the finished Kates in overall dark green taking off from
Wheeler Field,
where the replica Japanese air armada was based during the filming.
Two more Kates, this time in overall light grey, rise to join the formation of
Japanese attackers over Pearl.
Note the fiberglass torpedo replicas slung underneath.
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