In Box Review of Hasegawa 1/48th Scale
IJN Nakajima B6N2 Carrier Attack Bomber
Tenzan “Jill” Type 12
Kit no. 09061
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 1998
Available at Sprue Brothers for $33.49 or at Mega Hobby for $43.19 or at 1001 Hobbies for $51.99 and at 3 locations overseas on the web.
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 1998
Available at Sprue Brothers for $33.49 or at Mega Hobby for $43.19 or at 1001 Hobbies for $51.99 and at 3 locations overseas on the web.
HISTORY:
The Nakajima B6N Tenzan Japanese: "Heavenly Mountain", Allied reporting name: "Jill" was the Imperial Japanese Navy's standard carrier-borne torpedo bomber during the final years of World War II and the successor to the B5N "Kate". Due to its protracted development, a shortage of experienced pilots and the United States Navy's achievement of air superiority by the time of its introduction, the B6N was never able to fully demonstrate its combat potential.
In 1939, the Japanese Imperial Navy placed an order with Nakajima for the construction of a prototype known as the Model 14 Carrier-based Attack Aircraft with the intention that a successful design would go into production to succeed the aging Type 97 attack planes. The Navy required that the new type would, of course, surpass the performance of the Type 97, and also outlined specific requirements that the plane should have a top speed of 250 knots (463 km/h) or better, an operational cruising range of 1800 nautical miles (3330 km) and be powered by an engine with an output in the range of 1500hp,
While Navy officials suggested that Nakajima go with the Kasei (“Mars”) power-plant already in production at Mitsubishi, Nakajima insisted that, in order to meet the steep requirements of the Navy’s original prototype criteria, the more powerful Mamori (“Guardian”) engine, still in development at the time of these negotiations, would be better suited for the design. This proposal was accepted.
The enormous engines horsepower and bulky airframe of the Nakajima prototype exceeding everything seen in the Japanese arsenal at the time, required various special design feature in order for the aircraft to meet specs. These included: Japan’s first all-metal construction, four-bladed propeller, airframe configuration to match the size of Imperial Navy aircraft carrier elevators; a frontally-canted rudder/horizontal stabilizer; and an engine cooling system air intake that would not interfere with torpedo ordinance loads.
In short, it seems that the complicated requirements of the design made for many frustrating hours at the drawing boards for Nakajima engineers. Moreover, the end to more modifications was not to come soon. The excessive weight of the design’s airframe required the installation of Fowler flaps to allow the plane to make better landings. Other Problems included the teething pains of the just completed Mamori engine and an alarming tendency for the aircraft to ground-loop on take-offs and landings, which required the horizontal stabilizer to be shifted to the left as an expediency measure. All of these modifications and headaches led to significant delays in the design being put into production. The Tenzan Type 11 was not officially adopted until August 1943. Not seeing service until the Battle of Bougainville in November of that year.
Subsequently, the problematic Mamori engine was dropped in favor of the more dependable, but considerably weaker, Kasei power-plant in the Tenzan Type 12 design, which was officially adopted by the Navy in March 1944. Approximately 1200 Tenzan aircraft of all models were produced during the war, but it can be said that the design never lived up to even half of its capabilities, plagued as it was by engine problems and other factors that postponed its front line debut.
The Nakajima B6N Tenzan Japanese: "Heavenly Mountain", Allied reporting name: "Jill" was the Imperial Japanese Navy's standard carrier-borne torpedo bomber during the final years of World War II and the successor to the B5N "Kate". Due to its protracted development, a shortage of experienced pilots and the United States Navy's achievement of air superiority by the time of its introduction, the B6N was never able to fully demonstrate its combat potential.
In 1939, the Japanese Imperial Navy placed an order with Nakajima for the construction of a prototype known as the Model 14 Carrier-based Attack Aircraft with the intention that a successful design would go into production to succeed the aging Type 97 attack planes. The Navy required that the new type would, of course, surpass the performance of the Type 97, and also outlined specific requirements that the plane should have a top speed of 250 knots (463 km/h) or better, an operational cruising range of 1800 nautical miles (3330 km) and be powered by an engine with an output in the range of 1500hp,
While Navy officials suggested that Nakajima go with the Kasei (“Mars”) power-plant already in production at Mitsubishi, Nakajima insisted that, in order to meet the steep requirements of the Navy’s original prototype criteria, the more powerful Mamori (“Guardian”) engine, still in development at the time of these negotiations, would be better suited for the design. This proposal was accepted.
The enormous engines horsepower and bulky airframe of the Nakajima prototype exceeding everything seen in the Japanese arsenal at the time, required various special design feature in order for the aircraft to meet specs. These included: Japan’s first all-metal construction, four-bladed propeller, airframe configuration to match the size of Imperial Navy aircraft carrier elevators; a frontally-canted rudder/horizontal stabilizer; and an engine cooling system air intake that would not interfere with torpedo ordinance loads.
In short, it seems that the complicated requirements of the design made for many frustrating hours at the drawing boards for Nakajima engineers. Moreover, the end to more modifications was not to come soon. The excessive weight of the design’s airframe required the installation of Fowler flaps to allow the plane to make better landings. Other Problems included the teething pains of the just completed Mamori engine and an alarming tendency for the aircraft to ground-loop on take-offs and landings, which required the horizontal stabilizer to be shifted to the left as an expediency measure. All of these modifications and headaches led to significant delays in the design being put into production. The Tenzan Type 11 was not officially adopted until August 1943. Not seeing service until the Battle of Bougainville in November of that year.
Subsequently, the problematic Mamori engine was dropped in favor of the more dependable, but considerably weaker, Kasei power-plant in the Tenzan Type 12 design, which was officially adopted by the Navy in March 1944. Approximately 1200 Tenzan aircraft of all models were produced during the war, but it can be said that the design never lived up to even half of its capabilities, plagued as it was by engine problems and other factors that postponed its front line debut.
THE KIT:
Hasegawa is based in Shizuoka, Japan.
They are an old prolific model company that manufactures all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
The kit comes in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a color illustration of a Jill flying low over the ocean and dropping its torpedo.
It is overall green, with a gray under-carriage and a black cowling. It has a large red circle that is outlined in white and with a white number 33 on it on the sides of the fuselage. The rudder has yellow serial no. 52-33 on its sides.
The torpedo is bright metal with a dark gray nose.
One side panel of the box says the kit contains one model kit. Paints and adhesives are not included. In multiple languages, including English. Over Hasegawa’s street address and telephone number in Japan. Kit was made there.
Hasegawa is based in Shizuoka, Japan.
They are an old prolific model company that manufactures all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
The kit comes in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a color illustration of a Jill flying low over the ocean and dropping its torpedo.
It is overall green, with a gray under-carriage and a black cowling. It has a large red circle that is outlined in white and with a white number 33 on it on the sides of the fuselage. The rudder has yellow serial no. 52-33 on its sides.
The torpedo is bright metal with a dark gray nose.
One side panel of the box says the kit contains one model kit. Paints and adhesives are not included. In multiple languages, including English. Over Hasegawa’s street address and telephone number in Japan. Kit was made there.
The other side-panel of the box has a color photo of the model made up in the box art scheme and with its wings folded.
The length of the model completed is 226mm (almost 9”), the wing span will be 310mm (12”) and the kit holds 160 parts.
Copyright of the kit is 1998 and kit was made in Japan.
The length of the model completed is 226mm (almost 9”), the wing span will be 310mm (12”) and the kit holds 160 parts.
Copyright of the kit is 1998 and kit was made in Japan.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
The kit holds 9 medium-gray trees, a clear tree and the decal sheet in 3 sealed clear cello bags.
The instructions consist of a single-sheet that accordion-folds out into 8 page in 7” x 10” page format.
Page one has a black and white photo that is a repeat of the one on the box’s side-panel in color of the Jill made up with its wings folded. Over the history of the Jill in Japanese and English.
Page 2 begins with international assembly symbol explanations in multiple languages, including English.
The bottom of page 2 through to the top of page 5 gives a grand total of 12 assembly steps.
The bottom of page 5 is the parts trees illustrations.
Pages 6 and 7 are painting and marking guides.
Across the two pages there are illustrations showing both side views of two schemes and the top and bottom views for them.
The first set of views is of the box art subject (already described above).
It was with the 256th Attack Squadron, 752nd Naval Flying Group.
The second set shows a Jill in the same colors as the box art one, with yellow serial no. 210-318 on the sides of its rudder.
It was with the 210th Naval Flying Group.
Both schemes show yellow wing leading-edges.
Page 8 begins with a suggested paint color listing of Gunze Sangyo brand paints, decal application instructions and a caution that the kit is not suitable for children under 3 years because of small parts and make sure you read the instructions below before starting. Adult-supervisor should also read the instructions when assembled by children aged 12 and younger. In multiple languages, including English. Instructions printed in Japan.
Trees are alphabetized.
Medium-gray letter A tree holds: a fuselage half, seat, cockpit side wall, elevator and wing flap etc. (13 parts)
The kit holds 9 medium-gray trees, a clear tree and the decal sheet in 3 sealed clear cello bags.
The instructions consist of a single-sheet that accordion-folds out into 8 page in 7” x 10” page format.
Page one has a black and white photo that is a repeat of the one on the box’s side-panel in color of the Jill made up with its wings folded. Over the history of the Jill in Japanese and English.
Page 2 begins with international assembly symbol explanations in multiple languages, including English.
The bottom of page 2 through to the top of page 5 gives a grand total of 12 assembly steps.
The bottom of page 5 is the parts trees illustrations.
Pages 6 and 7 are painting and marking guides.
Across the two pages there are illustrations showing both side views of two schemes and the top and bottom views for them.
The first set of views is of the box art subject (already described above).
It was with the 256th Attack Squadron, 752nd Naval Flying Group.
The second set shows a Jill in the same colors as the box art one, with yellow serial no. 210-318 on the sides of its rudder.
It was with the 210th Naval Flying Group.
Both schemes show yellow wing leading-edges.
Page 8 begins with a suggested paint color listing of Gunze Sangyo brand paints, decal application instructions and a caution that the kit is not suitable for children under 3 years because of small parts and make sure you read the instructions below before starting. Adult-supervisor should also read the instructions when assembled by children aged 12 and younger. In multiple languages, including English. Instructions printed in Japan.
Trees are alphabetized.
Medium-gray letter A tree holds: a fuselage half, seat, cockpit side wall, elevator and wing flap etc. (13 parts)
Medium-gray letter B tree holds: the other fuselage half, other fuselage side wall, other elevator and wing flap etc. (10 parts)
Medium-gray letter C tree holds the upper and lower wing sections (5 parts)
Medium-gray letter D tree holds: propeller, cowling engine etc. (7 parts)
There is no letter E tree.
There is no letter E tree.
Letter F tree is the clear cockpit windows (14 parts)
Medium-gray letter G tree holds: the cockpit tub, dash etc. (27 parts)
Lettering jumps to the medium-gray letter J tree. It holds wing interior struts etc. (28 parts)
The medium-gray letter K tree holds landing gear legs (7 parts)
There are 2 identical medium-gray letter L trees. They hold main wheel halves etc. (8 parts ea.)
Lettering jumps to the 2 identical medium-gray letter N trees. They hold wing hinges etc. (7 parts)
There is no letter O tree.
There is no letter O tree.
There are 2 identical clear letter P trees that hold poly caps (4 parts ea.)
The black letter P tree also holds poly caps (4 parts)
The black letter P tree also holds poly caps (4 parts)
Lettering jumps again to the medium-gray letter S tree. It holds the torpedo etc. (8 parts)
The decal sheet completes the kit.
There are no crew figures included.
Detail, inside and out is great.
Highly recommended.
Detail, inside and out is great.
Highly recommended.