The primary torpedo-bomber of the early war years for the Japanese Navy, the B5N was effective as long as it ran into no serious fighter opposition. Over 150 Kates participated in the Pearl Harbor attack as torpedo and level bombers. However, against any capable fighter, the lack of crew armor, self-sealing tanks and a weak defensive armament spelled doom for the plane.
The plane originated as the Type K in 1935 and entered service in
1937
as the B5N1. It served as a tactical bomber in China, until the Chinese
Air Force began getting more capable fighters. As a result, in 1939 an
improved design was initiated (the B5N2); however, despite increasing
engine
output by over 200-kW, only a 6 mph increase in speed was seen.
The plane was forced to continue in front-line service until early in 1944. Many were then modified to serve as maritime reconnaissance (adding ground search radar) or anti-submarine (adding a MAD sensor) roles. Some 1,150 B5N’s were built (at least 480 being B5N2’s).
The B5N2 has a crew of three: pilot, navigator/bombardier/observer and radio operator/gunner. The plane uses 33.6 gallons of aviation fuel per hour at routine usage.
Navy Type 97 Carrier Attack Bomber Model 12
Subassemblies: Light Fighter-Bomber chassis +3, Light
Fighter-Bomber
Wings with STOL and folding options +2, three retractable wheels +0.
Powertrain: 746-kW aerial HP gasoline engine w/746-kW prop and
306-gallon fuel tank [Body and Wings].
Occupancy: 3 CS Cargo: 7.
Armor
Body/Wings: 2/3
Weaponry
Aircraft LMG/Type 92 [Body:B] (582).
3¥551-lb bombs [Body:U]
Equipment
Body: Medium radio receiver and transmitter, navigation
instruments,
autopilot, arrestor hook, 1,764-lb hardpoint.
Statistics
| Size: 34'x51'x10' | Payload : 2.11 tons | Lwt: 4.5 tons |
| Volume: 156 | Maint.: 47 hours | Price: $18,200 |
HT: 9
HP: 165 [body], 160 [each wing], 16 [each wheel]
| aSpeed: 235 | aAccel: 5 | aDecel: 26 | aMR: 6.25 | aSR: 2 |
| gSpeed: 170 | aAccel: 8 | aDecel: 10 | aMR: 0.25 | aSR: 2 |
Design Notes
Design speed was 232 mph. The historical value has been used, as well
as the actual wing area (406 square feet). Loaded weight was decreased
by 5%.
Instead of three bombs, the plane could also carry one 1,764-lb
torpedo.
Those used as level bombers at Pearl Harbor carried one 1,760-lb AP
bomb (modified from a 16” cannon shell) for use against battleships or,
against ground targets such as the Army air bases, either two 551-lb
bombs or one 551-ln bomb and six 132-lb bombs.
Variants
The B5N1 used a 522-kW engine and flew at 229 mph.
The B5N1-K were production craft modified for use as trainers.
The B6N Tenzan (1943) was an improved version that began development in 1941 but saw many problems that took time to resolve (historically, the B6N was considered a new plane, but it was so similar to the B5N that it is treated as a variant here). The major change from the B5N was the fitting of a 1,380-kW engine, which improved top speed to 298 mph and weight increased to 6.25 tons. Some 1,268 B6N’s were built, most of them the B6N2 (the 135 B6N1 were the same in game terms, but mounted a Nakajima rather than Mitsubishi engine). Dimensions were nearly the same as the B5N and the armament was the same (although some planes, the B6N2a, mounted a 13mm HMG to the rear). The B6N was given the Allied code name of “Jill.”