FACTOIDS & TRIVIA

The Nakajima B5N Type 97 (allied code name "Kate") was the main torpedo bomber used by the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. It was developed as a carrier-based aircraft (folding wings!) in 1937 and was used in the first Sino-Japanese War. Though it was obsolete by 1941, the IJN continued to use the B5N, both land-based and carrier-based, because of production delays for its replacement. So, as usual, the B5N was improved with a more powerful engine resulting in the B5N2 shown here that was used from 1941-45. This version was actually a much better torpedo bomber than the Allied torpedo bombers (plus the Japanese torpedoes were also far superior). The B5N could even carry bombs instead of a torpedo. This aircraft was responsible for sinking the Battleship Arizona at Pearl Harbor in addition to helping sink the aircraft carriers Hornet and Lexington. As the war came to a close, many B5Ns were used for kamikaze missions. Nakajima produced a total of 1,149 B5Ns. Here's a short video (not mine) of a B5N bombing run in War Thunder, an online game that is many times more realistic than the ancient Combat Flight Simulator that I use.

NAKAJIMA B5N2 Type 97 "Kate"

 

 

 Class: Torpedo Bomber

 Crew: 3

 Engine: Nakajima Sakae 11 14-cylinder, twin row radial (1,100 hp)

 Max Speed: 235 mph at 11,811 ft

 Climb Rate: 1,280 ft/min

 Service Ceiling: 27,100 ft

 Range: 608 miles

 Armament: 1 x .303 inch machine gun (flexible mount rear-firing)
                      1 x 1,760 lb torpedo or 1,760 lb bombload

 

  Model Scale:  1:100




















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