Diecast Aircraft Information

MetalWings Diecast Aircraft Reference by Dauntless Aviation

Specifications for the Nakajima B5N “Kate”

Dimensions
B5N1 and B5N2
Length – 33 ft 9.5 in   (10.3 m)
Wingspan – 50 ft 10 15/16 in   (15.518 m)
Height – 12 ft 1.65 in   (3.70 m)

Weight
B5N1
Empty – 4,643 lb   (2,106 kg)
Loaded – 8,157 lb   (3,700 kg)
B5N2
Empty - 5,024 lb   (2,279 kg)
Loaded – 8,378 lb   (3,800 kg)

Engine
B5N1 – Nakajima Hikari 3, 770 hp, 9-cylinder, air-cooled radial
B5N2 – Nakajima NK 1B Sakae 11, 1,000 hp, 14-cylinder, air-cooled radial

Performance
B5N1
Maximum Speed – 229 mph @ 6,560 ft   (2,000 m)
Service Ceiling – 24,280 ft   (7,400 m)
Normal Range – 679 miles   (1,092 km)
Maximum Range – 1,404 miles   (2,259 km)
B5N2
Maximum Speed – 235 mph @ 11,810 ft   (3,600 m)
Service Ceiling – 27,100 ft   (8,260 m)
Normal range – 608 miles   (978 km)
Maximum Range – 1,237 miles   (1,990 km)

Armament
B5N1 and B5N2
1 x flexible rear-firing 7.7 mm Type 92 machine gun
Bombs – 1,764 lb   (800 kg)
Or
1 x 1,764 lb   (800 kg) torpedo

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series
HA2009
B5N1 Type 97 Attack Bomber "Kate"
Aircraft Carrier "Ryujo" Flying Group, 1942

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.

This Kate belonged to the 1st Koku Kantai (Daiichi Air Fleet), 4th Koku Sentai (Naval
Carrier Division) assigned to the carrier Ryujo. The Ryujo (Prancing Dragon) was
launched in April 1933 and commissioned in May 1933. It didn’t have a superstructure
and since it was a flush-decked carrier all of the normal equipment and duties were
housed and operated from the front lip under the flight deck. On August 24, 1942 during
the Battle of the Eastern Solomons the Ryujo was struck by three 1,000 pound bombs
and a torpedo eventually sending it to the bottom.

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