Nakajima Type 97 Carrier Attack Bomber Kanko / B5N (Kate)
Technical Information

Background
Built by Nakajima as as a torpedo-bomber designed by Katsuji Nakamura to meet Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) specifications and as a replacement for the Yokosuka B4Y. In January 1937 the first prototype designated Type K first flew and was accepted. Designated the Type 97 Carrier Attack Bomber. Known to the Japanese as Kanko. Allied code name Kate. Three versions were built: Model 1, Model 2 and Model 3. The B5N1 was the first production variant, and many were converted to B5N1-K. Next was the B5N2 variant. Kates remained in service until the end of the Pacific War although replaced by the Nakajima B6N Tenzan (Jill).

Wartime History
The first combat use was during the Sino-Japanese War. At the start of the Pacific War, the Kate was judged to be obsolete, but it was still superior to the TBD Devastator that was the shipboard torpedo plane of the U.S. Navy. On December 7, 1941 during the Japanese surprise attack against Hawaii, forty B5N2 Kates armed with torpedoes attacked warships in Pearl Harbor and 103 B5N1 Kates armed with bombs attacked other targets on Oahu. The Kate was used during the Battle of the Coral Sea and Battle of Midway. During the Battle of Coral Sea Kates were responsible for the sinking of USS Lexington CV-5 during the , USS Yorktown CV-2 during Battle of Midway, and USS Hornet CV-8 at the Battle of Santa Cruz.

Production
Research by James Long indicates the number of aircraft bulit was only 1,070 aircraft. An estimated 634 B5N1 and B5N1-K were built plus 236 B5N2 were built. In addition, 200 Type 97 Mark 3 Carrier-Based Attack Planes (B5N2) were built by Aichi Aircraft Company during 1942-1943. Other published references claim a a total of 1,149 built.

References
USSBS report on the Aichi Aircraft Company Ltd. (Aichi Koukuuki KK)
Type 97 Carrier-based Attack Plane - A Production Record by James I. Long September 22, 2011

Technical Details (B5N2)
Crew   Three (pilot, observer/commander, radio/gunner)
Engine  One 1,000 hp Nakajima NK1B Sakae 11 14 cylinder air cooled radial engine
Propeller  Three bladed propeller.
Wingspan  15.52m (50' 11")
Length  10.30m (33' 9.5")
Height  3.70m (12' 1⅝")
Maximum Speed  235 mph
Range 1,237 miles
Armament  (rear) 7.7 mm Type 92 machine gun with a 97 round drum magazine
Bombload  1,763 lb Type 95 aerial torpedo (800kg / 1,763 lb) or 2 x 250 kg (550 lb) aerial bombs or 6 x 132 kg (293 lb) aerial bombs