Nakajima G5N Shinzan
Nakajima · Japan · first flew 1941 · bomber
The Nakajima G5N Shinzan was a four-engined long-range heavy bomber built for the Imperial Japanese Navy before the Second World War.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 4 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 31.02 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Twin fin |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Four radial engines on an all-metal mid-wing
- Twin tailfins in place of the triple rudder of the DC-4E on which it was based
- Glazed nose, long ventral bomb bay and retractable tricycle undercarriage
It is recognisable as a DC-4E derivative with two fins instead of three.
Specifications
- The Nakajima G5N Shinzan has a length of 31.02 m (102 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 42.12 m (138 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 420 km/h (261 mph).
- Typical crew: 7.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The Navy wanted a bomber able to carry heavy loads 3,000 nautical miles and based the design on the American Douglas DC-4E airliner. The first prototype flew on 8 April 1941.
Variants
The G5N1 had 1,530 hp Mitsubishi Kasei 12 engines. Four G5N2 aircraft with 1,870 hp Nakajima Mamori engines followed, and four aircraft became G5N2-L transports.
Where you'll see it
Performance was disappointing because of excessive weight, low engine power and complexity. Six were completed, and four were used as long-range Navy transports. The Allied code name was Liz.
Related aircraft
- Nakajima A6M2-N
- Nakajima J1N Gekko
- Nakajima Ki-44 Shōki
- Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa
- Avro Lancaster
- Avro Lancaster B.I
- Boeing B-17E Flying Fortress
- Brewster SB2A Buccaneer
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 8,606 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.