Mitsubishi B5M
Mitsubishi · Japan · first flew 1937 · bomber
The Mitsubishi B5M (Allied code name 'Mabel') was an Imperial Japanese Navy carrier-borne torpedo bomber that first flew in 1937. It was adopted as a stop-gap type to equip Japanese carriers while the more capable B5N was perfected.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 10.32 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Imperial Japanese Navy carrier torpedo bomber
- Fixed spatted undercarriage — non-retractable
- Allied reporting name 'Mabel'
Identified by its mid-wing monoplane layout, fixed spatted undercarriage (unusual for a carrier bomber of this era), radial engine with a large cowling, and three-man crew canopy. Distinguishable from the B5N by its non-retractable undercarriage.
Specifications
- The Mitsubishi B5M has a length of 10.32 m (34 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 15.3 m (50 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 381 km/h (237 mph).
- Typical crew: 3.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed in competition with the Nakajima B5N, the B5M lost the primary contract but was produced in modest numbers as a backup type. It participated in the attack on Pearl Harbor and early Pacific operations before being replaced by more modern designs. Its fixed undercarriage was unusual for carrier aircraft of the period.
Variants
The B5M1 was the main production version; no significant sub-variants were developed.
Where you'll see it
Operated from Japanese fleet carriers during the early Pacific War (1941–42) before being withdrawn to second-line duties.
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