Nakajima B6N Tenzan / JILL

1941

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  TORPEDO-BOMBERVirtual Aircraft Museum / Japan / Nakajima  

Nakajima B6N Tenzan / JILL

At a time when the triumphs of the B5N were still almost three years in the future, the Japanese navy issued a specification for a replacement, recognizing that only limited overall design improvement of the B5N could be achieved in the B5N2. Accordingly design went ahead in 1939 of the Nakajima B6N and, despite the navy's preference for the Mitsubishsi Kasei radial, a Nakajima Mamoru was selected for the prototype which flew early in 1941. Superficially the B6N Tenzan (heavenly mountain) resembled the earlier aircraft, but the much increased power and torque of the big engine and four-blade propeller was found to impose considerable directional stability problems, demanding that the vertical tail surfaces be offset to one side. Flight trials dragged on, and were further delayed by troubles during carrier acceptance tests; then Nakajima was ordered to stop production of the Mamoru engine, so modifications had to be introduced to suit installation of the Kasei. In due course B6N1 aircraft (of which only 133 were built) were embarked in the carriers Shokaku, Taiho, Hiyo, Junyo and Zuikaku, and took part in the great Battle of the Philippine Sea of June 1943, many being lost when the three first-named carriers were sunk. In that month production started of the slightly improved B6N2 (of which 1,133 were produced before the end of the war), but the heavy losses among Japanese carriers resulted in the 'Jill' being largely deployed ashore, particularly after the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Thereafter many BSNs were consigned to the kamikaze role.

Nakajima B6N Tenzan / JILL

Specification 
 MODELB6N2
 CREW3
 ENGINE1 x Mitsubishi MK4T "Kasei-25",1380
 WEIGHTS
  Take-off weight5650 kg12456 lb
  Empty weight3010 kg6636 lb
 DIMENSIONS
  Wingspan14.9 m49 ft 11 in
  Length10.87 m36 ft 8 in
  Height3.8 m12 ft 6 in
  Wing area37.2 m2400.42 sq ft
 PERFORMANCE
  Max. speed480 km/h298 mph
  Ceiling9040 m29650 ft
  Range w/max.fuel3045 km1892 miles
 ARMAMENT2 x 7.7mm machine-guns, 800kg of bombs

3-View 
Nakajima B6N Tenzan / JILLA three-view drawing (752 x 963)

Comments
Klaatu83, e-mail, 22.06.2013 01:42

Although this successor to the earlier B5N (Kate) was a marked improvement, it's excellent performance was still achieved at the expense of armor protection for the fuel and crew, as well as at the expense of defensive armament. The performance figures for the B6N were superior to those of the Grumman TBF /TBM Avenger, but the latter was a far more combat-worthy airplane, affording it's crews a much better chance of survival.

reply

dashanya, 20.06.2011 06:32

and much heavier- more suited to Kamikaze use. The Zekes were a fighter and light - not suited to destroying carriers; Japans main objective

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Klaatu83, e-mail, 04.03.2011 21:37

Not quite as good as it's U.S. contemporary, the Grumman Avenger, but far superior to the Albacores and Barracudas that the British were using at that time.

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IVAN ALMIRANTE FUERZA IMPERIAL, e-mail, 17.12.2010 06:00

EL TENZAN ES EL MEJOR AVION DE EL IMPERIO JAPONES

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AL, e-mail, 25.11.2010 19:02

The survivor at the Paul Garber facility ought to be restored. It was displayed complete at Willow Grove for many years.

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John Reed, e-mail, 14.08.2010 23:13

Later versions with the new engine were used exclusively as Naval Torpedo bombers. Late in the war, used along with Kugisho D4Y1-c's JUDYs as Kamikaze aircraft when Zeros ZEKEs had run into short supply. Female names are Bombers, and much heavier- more suited to Kamikaze use. The Zekes were a fighter and light - not suited to destroying carriers; Japans main objective.

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Diego José, e-mail, 26.06.2007 17:31

Olá, eu queria construir um aeromodelo B6N Nakajima em escala, será que os Senhores poderiam disponibilizar a planta deste avião ?
Desde já agradeço.

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