Japan's Nakajima B6N Tenzan ("heavenly mountain", "mountain of the sky") torpedo bomber
Allied code name: Jill

Photos

Nakajima B6N, "Jill" torpedo bomber:
Nakajima B6N2, "Jill" torpedo bomber:
Nakajima B6N, "Jill" torpedo bomber:

Design

In 1939 the Nakajima B6N was designed.^1,2 This was to replace the B5N.^2,3

The B6N was similar to the B5N but had more power and torque delivered from the engine.^1,2

Prototype

The prototype of the B6N first flew in early 1941.^1,2,3 There were difficulties during the carrier trials.¹ The vertical tail surface was moved to counteract the torque from the engine.² Directional stability was poor.³

Production

• Prototypes: 2²
• Nakajima B6N1: 133^1,2,3
• Nakajima B6N2: 1,133^1,2
• Total: 1,268^2,3
  • Manufacturer: Nakajima Hikoki K.K.³
• Nakajima B6N3 prototype: 2²

Variants

• Prototype: Had Nakajima Mamoru radial engine.²
• Nakajima B6N1: Had a Nakajima Mamoru 11 radial engine (1,870 HP).¹
• Nakajima B6N2: The Mamoru engine production was suspended so the Mitsubishi Kasei 25 engine was used (1,850 HP).^1,2 Tail wheel was fixed.² Appeared in late 1943.³
• Nakajima B6N2a: Have 13 mm MG in the rear cockpit.²
• Nakajima B6N3: Undercarriage was made stronger.² Larger wheels.²

Usage

The B6N was put into service until late 1943.²

Deployed to Carriers

The B6Ns were first deployed to the aircraft carriers Shokaku, Taiho, Hiyo, Junyo, and Zuikaku.¹

Philippine Sea Battle

They took part in the battle of the Philippine Sea in June 1944.^1,2 Many B6Ns were lost when three of the carriers were sunk.¹

Battle of Leyte Gulf

The B6Ns took part in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, primarily from land based units.¹

Specifications

	Nakajima B6N2	Nakajima B6N12	Nakajima B6N21,2,3
Type	Carrier torpedo bomber2		Torpedo bomber1,3
Crew	32		31,3
Engine (Type)		Nakajima NK7A Mamoru 112	Mitsubishi MK4T Kasei 25 piston1,2,3
Cylinders		Radial 142	Radial1, Radial 142,3
Cooling			Air3
Net HP		1,8702	1,8501,2,3
Propeller blades		42	41,2
Dimensions
Span			48' 10"3, 48' 10 3/8"1 , 48' 10.5"2 14.89 m1,2
Length			35' 7"3, 35' 7.5"1, 35' 7.75"2 10.86 m2, 10.87 m1
Height			12' 5 1/8"1, 12' 5.5"2, 12' 6"3 3.8 m1,2
Wing area			400.42 ft2 1 37.2 m2 1
Weight
Empty		7,105 lb2 3,223 kg2	6,636 lb1,2 3,010 kg1,2
Loaded		12,456 lb2 5,650 kg2	11,464 lb3, 12,456 lb1,2 5,650 kg1,2
Performance
Speed @ 16,075' / 4,900 m			299 mph1,2,3 481 kph1,2
Cruising speed			207 mph2 333 kph2
Climb			1,885'/minute2 575 m/minute2
Climb to 16,405' / 5,000 m			10.4 minutes1,2
Service ceiling			29,660'1,2,3 9,040 m1,2
Range			1,085 miles1,2, 1,892 miles3 1,746 km1, 1,747 km2
Maximum range			1,892 miles2 3,045 km2
Armament			2: MG3
Rear cockpit	1: 7.7 mm MG2		1: 13 mm Type 2 MG1
OR	1: 13 mm MG2
Ventral turret	1: 7.7 mm MG2		1: 7.7 mm Type 97 MG1
Torpedo	12		1: 1,764 lb1 1: 800 kg1
OR
Bombs	1,764 lb2 800 kg2		1,764 lb1,3 800 kg1