Hobby Master 1:72 Air Power Series HA2001
Nakajima B5N2 Kanko/Kate Diecast Model
IJNAS Akagi Flying Group, AI-301, Fuchita Mitsuo, IJN Carrier Akagi, Pearl Harbor, December 7th 1941 |
| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Nakajima B5N2 Kanko/Kate | | 5.75" | | 8.5" |
On December 7th, 1941 at 7:48 a.m. Hawaiian Time, the US Naval base at Pearl Harbor was pre-emptively attacked by the Empire of Japan to prevent the US Pacific Fleet from interfering with planned Japanese military actions in Southeast Asia. The attack was carried out by 353 fighters, bombers and torpedo planes, launched in two waves from a task force of six aircraft carriers (Akagi, Kaga, Soryu, Hiryu, Shokaku, and Zuikaku) northwest of Hawaii. The damage inflicted was massive. All eight U.S. Navy battleships were damaged, with four being sunk, in addition to damaging or sinking three cruisers, three destroyers, an anti-aircraft training ship and one minelayer. 188 U.S. aircraft were destroyed; 2,402 Americans were killed and 1,282 wounded. Japanese losses were light: 29 aircraft and five midget submarines lost, and 65 servicemen killed or wounded. One Japanese sailor was captured. The attack came as a profound shock to the American people and led directly to the American entry into World War II in both the Pacific and European theaters. The following day (December 8), the United States declared war on Japan. There were numerous historical precedents for unannounced military action by Japan. However, the lack of any formal warning, particularly while negotiations were still apparently ongoing, led President Franklin D. Roosevelt to proclaim December 7, 1941, "a date which will live in infamy".
The actual attack on Pearl Harbor was commanded by Mitsuo Fuchida. His B5N2 Kate lead the way and at 0749 sent the coded signal "To, To, To" (Totsugeskiseyo - "charge") to his 51 D3A dive bombers, 40 B5N torpedo bombers, 50 B5N high level bombers and 43 A6M fighters. At 0753 he sent the message Tora, Tora, Tora, back to the Japanese Fleet meaning the operation was successful.Fuchida remained on site to assess the damage from both attack waves and returned to the Akagi with 20 large anti-aircraft holes.
Designed to meet a 1935 Imperial Japanese Navy requirement for a carrier-based attack bomber to replace the Yokosuka B4Y, the B5N was first flown in January, 1937. © Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Hobby Master's 1:72 scale BN5 Kate is constructed almost entirely from diecast metal, with a large, solid metal wing that dominates the model. The multi-piece configurable canopy has two opened covers and a removable rear-facing machine gun. The front and side instrument panels are pad-printed and crisp panel lines can be seen across the surface of the model. Other fine details include simulated fabric-stretched control surfaces on the wing and elevators and cooling fins that can be seen inside the radial engine. Variants in this series include the B5N1 and the improved B5N2, configured as either a torpedo bomber, with a removable torpedo, or a dive bomber with several bomb load configurations.
© Copyright 2003-2013 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The Hobby Master "1:72 Air Power Series" range presents detailed, ready-made diecast models of military aircraft.
Hobby Master "1:72 Air Power Series" diecast airplanes feature:
- Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
- Opening canopies, revealing detailed cockpit interiors.
- Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear.
- Presentation stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
- Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
- Accurately detailed underside with concealed screwheads.
© Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
