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Japan's Nakajima B6N Tenzan ("heavenly mountain") torpedo bomber1,2
Allied Name: "Jill"1,2
Nakajima B6N, "Jill" torpedo bomber:
Nakajima B6N2, "Jill" torpedo bomber:
Design
In 1939 the Nakajima B6N was designed.1,2 This was to replace the B5N.2
The B6N was similar to the B5N but had more power and torque delivered from the engine.1,2
Prototype
The prototype of the B6N first flew in early 1941.1,2 There were difficulties during the carrier trials.1 The vertical tail surface was moved to counteract the torque from the engine.2
Production
- Prototypes: 22
- B6N1: 1331,2
- B6N2: 1,1331,2
- Total: 1,2682
- B6N3 prototype: 22
Variants
- Prototype: Had Nakajima Mamoru radial engine.2
- B6N1: Had a Nakajima Mamoru 11 radial engine (1,870 HP).1
- B6N2: The Mamoru engine production was suspended so the Mitsubishi Kasei 25 engine was used (1,850 HP).1,2 Tail wheel was fixed.2
- B6N2a: Have 13 mm MG in the rear cockpit.2
- B6N3: Undercarriage was made stronger.2 Larger wheels.2
Usage
The B6N was put into service until late 1943.2
Deployed to Carriers
The B6Ns were first deployed to the aircraft carriers Shokaku, Taiho, Hiyo, Junyo, and Zuikaku.1
Philippine Sea Battle
They took part in the battle of the Philippine Sea in June 1944.1,2 Many B6Ns were lost when three of the carriers were sunk.1
Battle of Leyte Gulf
The B6Ns took part in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, primarily from land based units.1
| Nakajima B6N2 | Nakajima B6N12 | Nakajima B6N21,2 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Carrier torpedo bomber2 | Torpedo bomber1 | |
| Crew | 32 | 31 | |
| Engine (Type) | Nakajima NK7A Mamoru 112 | Mitsubishi MK4T Kasei 25 piston1,2 | |
| Cylinders | Radial 142 | Radial1, Radial 142 | |
| Cooling | |||
| Net HP | 1,8702 | 1,8501,2 | |
| Propeller blades | 42 | 41,2 | |
| Dimensions | |||
| Span | 48' 10 3/8"1 , 48' 10.5"2 14.89 m1,2 |
||
| Length | 35' 7.5"1, 35' 7.75"2 10.86 m2, 10.87 m1 |
||
| Height | 12' 5 1/8"1, 12' 5.5"2 3.8 m1,2 |
||
| Wing area | 400.42 ft2 1 37.2 m2 1 |
||
| Weight | |||
| Empty | 7,105 lb2 3,223 kg2 |
6,636 lb1,2 3,010 kg1,2 |
|
| Loaded | 12,456 lb2 5,650 kg2 |
12,456 lb1,2 5,650 kg1,2 |
|
| Performance | |||
| Speed @ 16,075' / 4,900 m |
299 mph1,2 481 kph1,2 |
||
| Cruising speed | 207 mph2 333 kph2 |
||
| Climb | 1,885'/minute2 575 m/minute2 |
||
| Climb to 16,405' / 5,000 m |
10.4 minutes1,2 | ||
| Service ceiling | 29,660'1,2 9,040 m1,2 |
||
| Range | 1,085 miles1,2 1,746 km1, 1,747 km2 |
||
| Maximum range | 1,892 miles2 3,045 km2 |
||
| Armament | |||
| Rear cockpit | 1: 7.7 mm MG2 | 1: 13 mm Type 2 MG1 | |
| OR | 1: 13 mm MG2 | ||
| Ventral turret | 1: 7.7 mm MG2 | 1: 7.7 mm Type 97 MG1 | |
| Torpedo | 12 | 1: 1,764 lb1 1: 800 kg1 |
|
| OR | |||
| Bombs | 1,764 lb2 800 kg2 |
1,764 lb1 800 kg1 |
Sources:
- Fighting Aircraft of World War II, Editor: Karen Leverington, 1995
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
