Nakajima B5N-2 Kate Usa Naval Flying Group, 1943-1944

Die-cast metal.
Fully assembled.
Superb detailing in 1/72 scale.
Pre-painted with pad applied markings.
Comes with crew figures.
Comes with bombs.
Display stand included.
Option to display model with wheels up or down.
Minimum use of plastic.
Very collectable.

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.


The Nakajima B5N1 first flew in January 1937 and soon saw combat during the
Sino-Japanese War that revealed several flaws. 1939 saw the introduction of the B5N2
with a larger engine and several modifications compared to the B5N1. Rather than add
heavy armor to protect the crew it was hoped that the new aircraft would be faster and
better able to take on the USA aircraft so by 1943 some B5N1s were relegated to flight
training at Usa Air Base on Kyushu.



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.