Nakajima B5N1 "Kate", IJN Aircraft Carrier Zuiho, 1942 (1:72)

The Nakajima B5N1 first flew in January 1937. It was quite unique for a carrier-aircraft with its low mono wing that folded for storage and wide-track inward folding retractable landing gear. The new Kates were far superior to its competition, the TBD Devastator and the Fairey Swordfish however it did have its shortcomings. It was very poorly armed for self defense and required A5M escort protection. Also the crew and fuel tanks had no protection. The B5N1 was replaced by the improved B5N2.

In 1938 B5N1 aircraft were based on the Zuiho as well as other Japanese carriers. The new Kates were also land based and both were deployed in China during the Sino-Japanese War 1937 -1945. Here the aircraft were used to do bombing in support of ground troops and early in the war due to the lack of opposing aircraft the Kates were quite often painted in colorful schemes. Along with newer B5N2s 103 of the older B5N1s took part in the attack at Pearl Harbor.
Specifications Nakajima B5N1 (Kate)

Official Imperial Japanese Navy Air Force Designation - Type 97 Carrier Attack Bomber Model 1

Allied Reporting Name - Kate

First Flight ' January 1937

Construction Material - All-metal construction with fabric-covered control surfaces

Roles During the war years (1937 ' 1945) ' Attack Torpedo Bomber, U-Boat

Destroyer, Maritime/Coastal Patrol Reconnaissance Bomber

Crew ' (3) Pilot ' Navigator/Bombardier/Observer ' Radio Operator

Dimensions
Wing Span ' 50.9 ft (15.52 m)
Length ' 33.8 ft (10.30 m)
Height ' 12.14 ft (3.70 m)
Wing area ' 123.68 ft2 (37.7 m2 )

Weights
Empty ' 4,642.94 lb (2,106 kg)
Maximum ' 8,851.56 lb (4,015 kg)

Performance
Engine - Nakajima Hakari 3 / 9 cylinder air-cooled radial engine / producing 770 hp @
take off and 840 hp @ 9,842 ft (3000 m)
Fuel Capacity ' 255 Imp gal (306 US gal) (1,158 liters)
Propeller - metal 3 blade constant-speed variable-pitch
Maximum Speed - 229 mph 368 kph
Cruising Speed - 159 mph 256 kph
Climb to 9,842 ft (3000 m) - 7 min 50 sec
Service Ceiling ' 24,278.22 ft (7,400 m)
Normal Range - 679 miles (1,092.7 m)
Maximum Range - 1403 miles (2,257.9 m)

Weapons ' (1) flexible rear-firing 7.7 mm Type 92 machine-gun.
Bomb-load ' (1) 1764 lb (800 kg) of bombs
Or

(1) 1764 lb (800 kg) torpedo.