Nakajima B6N Tenzan
Open the military map天山艦上攻撃機
Aircraft
The Nakajima B6N Tenzan was the successor to the B5N Kate as the Imperial Navy's carrier torpedo bomber. Featuring improved speed and range, it served from 1943 through the end of the war but suffered from a lack of experienced crews and carrier availability.
- Armament
- 7.7mm九二式機銃1挺（後方旋回）・7.7mm九二式機銃1挺（腹部旋回）・91式航空魚雷1本または800kg爆弾
History
The Nakajima B6N Tenzan (天山, "Heavenly Mountain"), codenamed "Jill" by the Allies, first flew on March 14, 1941 (March 14, 1942 according to Japanese sources), and entered service in August 1943. Designed as the successor to the B5N Kate, it featured the more powerful Mitsubishi Kasei 25 engine and achieved a maximum speed of 482 km/h.
The B6N could carry one Type 91 aerial torpedo or 800 kg of bombs, and had a combat range of 1,746 km. Its three-man crew comprised pilot, navigator/bombardier, and radio operator/gunner. Two defensive 7.7mm machine guns were fitted – one in the rear cockpit and one in the ventral position.
The Tenzan entered service too late and in too few numbers to make a decisive impact. By the time of the Battle of the Philippine Sea (June 1944), most experienced naval aviators had been lost, and the inexperienced replacement crews suffered catastrophic losses. The aircraft was used in both torpedo and level-bombing roles, and in the final stages of the war was employed in kamikaze missions. Total production reached 1,268 aircraft.
Related sites (3)
- Battle14.000, 145.000
Philippine Sea – B6N Tenzan torpedo bombers participated in the Battle of the Philippine Sea, June 1944.
- Battle26.350, 127.783
Okinawa – B6N Tenzan used in both conventional and kamikaze attacks during the Battle of Okinawa, 1945.
- Factory36.256, 139.376
Nakajima Aircraft Koizumi Factory, Gunma – primary production site for the B6N Tenzan.
Sources
- Nakajima B6N Tenzan - WikipediaWebsite
- 天山 (航空機) - WikipediaWebsite
- 中島飛行機小泉製作所 - WikipediaWebsite