kate

Nakajima KYUNANA KANKO B5N2 (97 Carrier-borne
Attack Bomber), Allied Code Name was "KATE"

In fall of 1935, the Imperial Japanese Navy called for a design of the carrier-
borne attack bomber. In answer to the specification of the IJN, both Mitsubishi
and Nakajima responded and the proposal submitted by the Nakajima was selected
and Nakajima received an order to do further developement of the IJN Carrier
attack bomber. This was the first case in which Nakajima won the competition
with Mitsubishi.

The carrier-borne attack bomber which was designed by the Nakajima was all-metal
construction, low-wing monoplane and were the designs that took in a new scheme
of hydraulic retractable landing gear, single-beam main wings, enlcosed cockpit
and upward folding main wings.

The first Nakajima's carrier-borne attack bomber rolled out at the end of November,
1936, however, the engine mounted on it was HIKARI engine instead of SAKAE engine.
SAKAE engine was the one adopted in the original design of this airplane.
The reason was simply SAKAE engine could not be made available as scheduled
for the production. In fall of 1937, after official evaluation made by the IJN,
she formally became the KYUNANA KANKO (type 97, carrier-borne attack bomber)
of the Imperial Japanese Navy.

The first quantity production type KYUNANA KANKO (B5N1) (Allied code name,
KATE) rolled out during April, 1938, and she had to make a debut in the combat
arena already from August, 1938, due to break out of the conflict between
Japan and China. In actual operation, KYUNANA KANKO was proved to be
successful plane as she was capable of carrying heavy load for long range.

From the end of 1939, production of the KYUNANA KANKO with SAKAE
11 engine, as was originally adopted, was commenced and they were named
KYUNANA KANKO Type 3 (B5N2).

Since the diameter of SAKAE 11 engine was smaller than HIKARI engine, her
looks became handsome. Her speed was increased by 28km/h and was given
higher climb capability, since new engine had more power.

The Kyuunana Kankoh badly needed to be covered by the friendly fighter,
because she had to fly slow at low altitude, straight forward to the target
once she commenced a torpedo run. Thus, she became an easy target of
the enemy fighter and flak once she lost the protection of Zero, which
was the case happened in the latter half of the Pacific War.

Technical Data

Type 3
B5N2

Span
15.518 m

Length
10.300 m

Height
3.700 m

Weight, loaded
3.800 kg

Weight, empty
2.279 kg

Powerplant
Sakae 11, fourteen-cylinder air cooled radial.

Power
930 hp at 3.000 m

Maximum speed
378 km/h at 3.600 m

Armament
One flexible rear-firing, 7.7mm machine gun

Bomb
800 kg x 1, 250 kg x 2, 60 kg x 6, 30 kg x 6

TorpedoBR> 800 kg x 1

Back

Type 3	B5N2
Span	15.518 m
Length	10.300 m
Height	3.700 m
Weight, loaded	3.800 kg
Weight, empty	2.279 kg
Powerplant	Sakae 11, fourteen-cylinder air cooled radial.
Power	930 hp at 3.000 m
Maximum speed	378 km/h at 3.600 m
Armament	One flexible rear-firing, 7.7mm machine gun
Bomb	800 kg x 1, 250 kg x 2, 60 kg x 6, 30 kg x 6
TorpedoBR>	800 kg x 1