Nakajima G8N Renzan
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The Nakajima G8N Script error: No such module "Nihongo". was a four-engined, long-range bomber designed for use by the Imperial Japanese Navy. The Navy full designation was Script error: No such module "Nihongo"., the Allied code name was "Rita".
Design and development
In February 1943, the Imperial Navy staff asked Nakajima Aircraft Company to design a four-engined bomber, capable of meeting an earlier specification set for a long-range, land-based attack plane. The final specification, issued on 14 September 1943, called for a plane with a maximum speed of Script error: No such module "convert". able to carry a Script error: No such module "convert". bomb-load Script error: No such module "convert". or a reduced bomb-load Script error: No such module "convert"..[1]
Nakajima's design featured a mid-mounted wing of small area and high aspect ratio, a tricycle landing gear, and a large single-fin rudder. Power came from four 2,000 hp Nakajima NK9K-L "Homare" 24 radial engines with Hitachi 92 turbosuperchargers driving four-bladed propellers. The engines were cooled by counter-rotating fans positioned just inside the engine cowlings.[1] Defensive armament included power-operated nose, dorsal, ventral, and tail turrets, along with two free-swiveling machine guns at the beam positions.[2]
Operational history
The initial prototype was completed in October 1944 and delivered to the Navy for testing in January 1945, a year after the Navy ordered development to start. Three further examples were completed by June 1945, with the third prototype being destroyed on the ground by US carrier aircraft.[2]
Other than minor problems with the turbosuperchargers, the Renzan performed satisfactorily, and the Navy hoped to have a total of sixteen prototypes and 48 production-version G8N1s assembled by September 1945. However, the worsening War situation and a critical shortage of light aluminium alloys led to the project's cancellation in June.[2]
One proposed variant was the G8N2 Renzan-Kai Model 22, powered by four 2,200 hp Mitsubishi MK9A radial engines and modified to accept attachment of the air-launched Ohka Type 33 Special Attack Bomber.[2]
Just before Japan's surrender in August 1945, consideration was also briefly given to producing an all-steel version of the aircraft to be designated G8N3 Renzan-Kai Model 23, but the cessation of hostilities precluded any further development.[2]
After the War, one prototype was taken to the United States[3][4] and scrapped after testing. None are in existence today.
Variants
- G8N1 Renzan
- Four-engine heavy bomber. Production version. Four built.
- G8N2 Renzan Kai Model 22
- Modified to carry Ohka Type 33 Special Attack Bomber. Four Mitsubishi MK9A radial engines.
- G8N3 Renzan Kai Model 23
- All-steel airframe - never produced.
Operators
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- Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service
- Naval Air Technical Arsenal (and after february 1945, reorganised to 1st Naval Technical Arsenal)
Specifications (G8N1)
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
- Avro Lincoln
- Boeing B-29 Superfortress
- Consolidated B-32 Dominator
- Focke-Wulf Fw 191C
- Heinkel He 177B
- Junkers Ju 290
- Martin XB-33A Super Marauder
- Petlyakov Pe-8
References
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- Bibliography
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- Collier, Basil. Japanese Aircraft of World War II. New York: Mayflower Books, 1979. Template:ISBN.
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- Unknown authors. Famous Airplanes of the World: Nakajima Shinzan / Renzan (Volume 11, no.146). Japan: Bunrin-Do, Nov. 1984.
External links
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Template:Japanese Navy short aircraft designations Template:Imperial Japanese Navy official aircraft names Template:Allied reporting names