B5N operations · 1937–1945
The B5N Kate was the IJN’s key early-war torpedo and level bomber. At Pearl Harbor it carried torpedoes and armour-piercing bombs, while in later carrier battles it attacked ships under increasingly dangerous conditions. A good B5N build starts with the exact role: Pearl Harbor torpedo aircraft, high-level bomber, Akagi/Kaga/Shokaku/Zuikaku carrier route, Midway aircraft, or a later land-based machine with darker camouflage and harsher weathering.
Role & strengths
- Imperial Japanese Navy carrier torpedo bomber and level bomber
- Pearl Harbor, Indian Ocean, Coral Sea, Midway, Solomons and late-war training/land-base routes
- Long three-seat canopy, Type 91 torpedo, bomb load options and carrier tail codes
- IJN grey-green, later dark green over grey, Hinomaru and carrier/Kokutai markings
- Pacific sun fading, salt wear, chipped leading edges, exhaust, oil and rough-field grime
Key theatres
- Pearl Harbor torpedo and level-bombing routes
- Indian Ocean raid and early carrier offensive routes
- Coral Sea and Midway carrier battles
- Solomons and late-war land-based routes
Specification B5N2
Survivor/reference today
B5N references depend heavily on period photos, replicas, wrecks and museum research. Use replicas for shape, but verify wartime paint and markings separately.
View referencesTimeline highlights
Build this B5N as…
Pick the carrier, role and date first. Pearl Harbor torpedo aircraft, Pearl Harbor level bombers, Indian Ocean, Midway and late land-based aircraft have different loads, markings and weathering.
Aircraft identity
Pearl Harbor Kates carried different torpedo and high-level bombing fits. Do not fit a Type 91 torpedo to a level-bomber subject without checking references.
Carrier tail codes and Hinomaru styles are date-specific. Avoid mixing Pearl Harbor markings with later dark-green land-based aircraft.
Paint scheme cards
Early B5N2 route with Hinomaru, carrier tail codes and restrained carrier wear.
Mid/late route with fading, chipped leading edges and more intense Pacific wear.
Torpedo aircraft need careful alignment, underside staining and carrier deck weathering.
Late aircraft need sun fading, dust, exhaust, oil and rough repair wear.
Campaign cards
Type 91 torpedo route with early finish, carrier codes and precise loadout.
High-level bomber route with armour-piercing bomb fit and different modelling choices.
Akagi/Kaga/Soryu/Hiryu route with carrier-specific tail codes and battle context.
Dark green, land-based wear, sun fading, chipping and increasingly rough service.
Build difficulty and related guides
Medium-high. Long canopy, three crew stations, torpedo/bomb fit and markings need care.
High. Torpedo and level-bomber aircraft need different racks, finishes and references.
High. IJN paint wear can look excellent, but over-chipping quickly becomes cartoonish.
Nakajima B5N Kate carrier Kokutai and torpedo units
Sortable B5N cards covering Pearl Harbor torpedo and level-bomber routes, Indian Ocean, Coral Sea, Midway, Solomons and survivor/reference routes.
B5N Kate operating map
Airfield info
Click a marker to show linked B5N unit cards and modelling notes.
Campaign timeline
Survivors
Books and reference sources
B5N Kate build guide
B5N Kate videos, photos and archive material
Media replaces the old separate walkaround tab: cockpit, exhaust, undercarriage, markings, survivor references, archive imagery and video cards are grouped here.