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Nakajima B6N3 Model 13 (天山一三型)
The Nakajima B6N3 Model 13 is a Japanese torpedo bomber developed in 1945. This aircraft was meant to be an improved version of the Nakajima B6N2 Ko, from which the ability to operate from aircraft carriers was removed. Only two B6N3s were built from the converted B6N2 Ko numbered 751 and 752.
History
In 1945, the Japanese Imperial Navy had almost completely disappeared at sea, but it was still fiercely fighting in the air. Japanese Navy squadrons started operating exclusively from land bases and needed an upgraded Nakajima B6N torpedo bomber. They needed a new version of the B6N that was faster and no longer required equipment for carrier landings. At the Nakajima factories, it was decided that the best way to test was to modify existing Nakajima B6N planes, specifically the Nakajima B6N2 Ko numbers 751 and 752. The planes had their Mitsubishi MK4T Kasei 25 (Ha-32-25) engines replaced with Mitsubishi MK4T-C Kasei 25c (Ha-32-25c) engines equipped with fuel injection. Additionally, the nose and front windshield were modified to be more aerodynamic. To improve aerodynamics, the tail wheel was reintroduced (just like in the Nakajima B6N1). Also, in the B6N3, it was decided to remove the carrier landing equipment, as it was no longer necessary. The modified B6N2 Ko were given the designation B6N3 Model 13 and underwent flight tests probably in the summer of 1945. The tests showed that the speed increase was sadly small (from 481 km/h to 492 km/h). That’s why the Nakajima B6N3 planes didn’t go into production and the Nakajima B6N2 Ko would have continued to be produced instead. The further fate of Nakajima B6N3 numbers 751 and 752 is not known.
Construction description
The Nakajima B6N3 is based on the Nakajima B6N2 Ko plane, but there are important differences between them. I’ll try to present them here.
- The Mitsubishi MK4T Kasei 25 (Ha-32-25) engines were replaced with Mitsubishi MK4T-C Kasei 25c (Ha-32-25c) engines equipped with fuel injection
- The shape of the engine cover and the plane’s nose has been modified
- The shape of the cockpit windshield has been changed
- The landing gear structure was raised, and a retractable tail wheel was introduced
- Equipment for operating on aircraft carriers has been removed.
General characteristics
- Crew: 3
- Length: 10,86 m
- Wingspan: 14,89 m
- Height: 4,32 m
- Wing area: 37,20 m2
- Empty weight: 3252 kg
- Gross weight: 5200 kg
- Maximum Take-off Weight: 5650 kg
- Powerplant: 1 x Mitsubishi MK4T-C Kasei 25c (Ha-32-25c) air-cooled, two-row, fourteen-cylinder engine with a starting power of 1,342 kW (1,825 HP)
- Propellers: Four-blade ,metal propeller with a constant rotation speed and a diameter of 3,400 mm
Performance
- Maximum speed: 592 km/h
- Cruising speed: 333 km/h (?)
- Range: 1760 km
- Maximum Range: 3050 km
- Service ceiling: 9800 m
- Climb Rate: 8,28 m/s
- Rate of climb: 10,12 min to 5000 m
Armament
- Guns:
- 1 x Type 2 13.2 mm flexible machine gun (on the back)
- 1 x Type 1 7.92 mm flexible machine gun (on the ventral tunnel)
- Bombs:
- 1 x 800 kg bombs (under the fuselage)
- 1 x 500 kg bombs (under the fuselage)
- 2 x 250 kg bombs (under the fuselage)
- 6 x 60 kg bombs (under the fuselage)
- 6 x 30 kg bombs (under the fuselage)
- 1 x 800 kg torpedo (under the fuselage) (Type 91 Kai 1, Kai 2, Kai 3, Kai 4)
- 1 x 1000 kg torpedo (under the fuselage) (Type 91 Kai 7 Ko) (?)
Radar equipment
- 1 x H6 radar (?)
Armour
- 7.93 mm armor plate behind the pilot’s seat
- 12.7 mm armor plate in the pilot seat headrest
- 6.35 mm armor plate in front of the fuel tank in the hull
- Self-sealing fuel tank in the fuselage
Special thanks
Summary
The Nakajima B6N3 Model 13 is an interesting plane for Japan in War Thunder. This torpedo bomber, thanks to its increased speed and radar (once implemented), would be very useful in both naval and land battles. Additionally, the B6N3 has decent survivability thanks to its strong defensive armament and armor, and it can really sting enemy planes. This plane is perfect for filling out a folder with the B6N (B6N2 and B6N2 Ko) or could even become a premium or event plane. I encourage you to discuss in the comments and to share your own knowledge on this subject.
Finally, I apologize for the linguistic and logical errors because unfortunately English is not my main language and I had to use google translator.
Internet sources
天山 (航空機) - Wikipedia
Nakajima B6N Tenzan - Wikipedia
Nakajima B6N Tenzan - WarHistory.org
Nakadžima B6N3 13 Tenzan [Jill] : Nakadžima
Nakajima B6N2a | Secret Projects Forum
Book sources
- 日本航空機辞典 1910年(明治43年)～1945年(昭和20年) 上巻 (Encyclopedia of Japanese Aircraft 1910 (Meiji 43) – 1945 (Showa 20), Volume 1) page 254-255
- 野沢正『日本航空機総集 中島篇』(Masaru Nozawa ‘Comprehensive Collection of Japanese Aircraft: Nakajima Volume’) page 216-221
- Japońskie Samoloty Marynarki 1912-45 część II (Japanese naval aircraft 1912-45 part II) page 44-47
- JAS Japanese Anti-Submarine Aircraft In The Pacific War page 79-85
*『日本軍用機写真集』2 (爆撃機),文林堂, (“Japanese Military Aircraft Photo Collection 2 (Bombers)”, Bunrindo) page 143-145 - Nakajima B6N Tenzan (Leszek A. Wieliczko)
Nakajima B6N Tenzan (Leszek A. Wieliczko | PDF
Additional sources
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