Nakajima B6N
| Nakajima B6N | |
|---|---|
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| Type: | Torpedo bombers |
| Design country: | |
| Manufacturer: | |
| First flight: |
Early 1941 |
The Nakajima B6N (Japanese. "Tenzan"; Eng. "Heavenly Mountain") was a torpedo bomber of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II .
history
In order to have a successor to the Nakajima B5N 2 ready for use early enough , the Imperial Japanese Navy issued a relevant specification. In order to meet these requirements, the Nakajima Hikōki company designed an aircraft that was very similar to the previous model. The 1,800 HP (approx. 1,320 kW) NK7A Mamora 11 radial engine should serve as the drive .
The first prototype flew in early 1941 and after some improvements the aircraft went into service as a carrier-based fighter for the Navy (type Nakajima B6N1 Tenzan). However, only 135 of this version were built, as production of the Mamora engine was discontinued.
The original drive was replaced by the 1,850 HP (approx. 1,360 kW) MK4T Kasei 25 radial engine from Mitsubishi and the aircraft are now designated B6N2. The characteristic external difference between the two variants is the exhaust system. The Mamora 11 has a tube protruding downwards to the right and left, while the Kasei 25 has a bundle of three, a single tube and a double tube on each side. About 1,133 B6N2s were built.
The variant B6N2a had a reinforced defensive armament to the rear, which was probably retrofitted by the weapons control room at the front even in "normal" machines. A land-based version was still being tested as the B6N3.
Aircraft of this type took part in all Pacific sea / air battles from 1944 onwards and were also used for kamikaze missions. The Tenzan was a very powerful aircraft and was in no way inferior to its American counterpart, the Grumman "Avenger" .
The name "Tenzan" is often incorrectly translated as "heavenly cloud". Correctly, however, the translation is "heavenly mountain". The Allies named the aircraft "Jill".
The B6N2 was to be replaced early on by the Aichi B7A Ryusei , a very powerful torpedo / dive bomber. Fortunately for the Allies, only 105 aircraft of this type were made, because a Grumman F6F Hellcat would hardly have been able to intercept this aircraft.
Technical specifications
| Parameter | Data |
|---|---|
| Type | Carrier-based torpedo / horizontal bomber |
| crew | 3 |
| length | 10.87 m |
| span | 14.90 m |
| height | 3.80 m |
| Wing area | 37.20 m² |
| Empty mass | 3010 kg |
| Max. Takeoff mass | 5650 kg |
| Engine | Mitsubishi MK4T Kasei 25 (double) radial engine with 1,850 HP / 1,380 kW output |
| Top speed | 480 km / h |
| Service ceiling | 9040 m |
| Range | 3050 km |
| Armament | up to 800 kg bombs of various calibers, or an air torpedo . First two 7.7 mm MG , later converted to 13 mm. Many unofficial front upgrades in number and caliber. |
Photo and film documents
In books about the Pacific War, a picture is often published that shows a Tenzan attacking at low altitude while the sea behind her is boiling from the air defense impacts. The documentaries about this aircraft include a weekly film in which a Tenzan flies to the defense fire, jumps over the target (ship), is hit on the starboard wing at the landing gear level, this catches fire, breaks off and the aircraft falls into the water next to the ship.
The photo and film were probably taken during the so-called “ Mariana Turkey Shooting ”.
Web links
credentials
- ↑ Janusz Piekalkiewicz: The air war