Original Item. Only One Available. The Nakajima B5N was the standard carrier-based torpedo bomber of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) for much of World War II. It also served as a high level bomber.

This is an interesting WWII steel model aircraft used for recognition purposes for Japanese soldiers. The plane is inscribed across the wings with Kanji characters translating to Type 97 Carrier Attack Aircraft, designating it as the Nakajima B5N torpedo bomber. It is also marked with the red sun of the Japanese empire on both sides and on the bottom of the wings, with the number 93 stamped into the plane on the bottom side of the front.

The aircraft is constructed of solid metal and features all original period paint. The model is missing the propeller, and may have originally had a mount that stuck into the bottom, but otherwise appears complete.

The plane measures 13” in wingspan with a length of 7¾”. There is some wear in the paint as shown, but the designation on the wings is still very clear.

A rare model that comes ready for further research and display.

Although the B5N was substantially faster and more capable than its Allied counterparts, the American Douglas TBD Devastator monoplane (the U.S. Navy's first all-metal, carrier-borne monoplane of any type with retracting gear), and the British Fairey Swordfish and Fairey Albacore torpedo biplanes, it was nearing obsolescence by 1941. Nevertheless, the B5N operated throughout the whole war, due to the delayed development of its successor, the B6N.

In the early part of the Pacific War, when flown by well-trained IJN aircrews and as part of well-coordinated attacks, the B5N achieved particular successes at the battles of Pearl Harbor, Coral Sea, Midway, and Santa Cruz Islands.

The B5N was designed by a team led by Katsuji Nakamura in response to a 1935 specification by the Navy for a torpedo bomber to replace the Yokosuka B4Y. Internally designated Type K by Nakajima, it successfully competed with the Mitsubishi B5M for a production contract. The first prototype flew in January 1937 and was ordered into production soon afterwards with the full designation Type 97 Carrier Attack Bomber (九七式艦上攻撃機) (kyū-nana-shiki kanjō kōgeki-ki or kankō for short).