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Nakajima G5N1 Shinzan
G5N1
Note: Base stats only (no upgrade installed)
Rank IV
Battle Rating 5.3
Type Heavy Bomber
Maximum Speed on height 512 km/h
Maximum Altitude 11,156 m
Turn Time 24.4 seconds
Rate of Climb 7 m/s
Takeoff Run 489 m
Armament 6x Turret: 7.7mm Type 97 machine gun 1x (3916 rds)
2x Turret: 20mm Type 99 Mk. 1 cannon 1x (900 rds)

24x 50kg bombs
12x 250kg bombs
4x 1000kg bombs

The Nakajima G5N1 Shinzan (code name «Liz») is a four-engine heavy bomber currently sitting at Tier IV (previously level tier 13 before 1.39) in the Japanese line. The upfront cost of a G5N1 is 910,000 Lion.

Design, Development & Operational History[]

The Nakajima G5N Shinzan originated due to the Imperial Japanese Navy's interest in developing a long-range attack bomber capable of carrying heavy loads of bombs or torpedoes a minimum distance of 3,000 nmi (5,600 km; 3,500 mi). To meet this requirement, it became apparent a four-engine lay-out would be necessary. As Japanese aircraft manufacturers lacked experience in building such large complex aircraft, the Navy was forced to search for a suitable existing foreign-made model upon which to base the new design. It settled on the American Douglas DC-4E airliner. In 1939 the sole prototype of this airliner (previously rejected by American airline companies) was purchased by Nippon Koku K.K. (Japan Airlines Co) and clandestinely handed over to the Nakajima Aircraft Company for dismantling and inspection.

The design that emerged from this study was for an all-metal mid-wing monoplane with fabric-covered control surfaces and powered by four 1,870 hp Nakajima NK7A Mamori 11 air-cooled radial engines driving four-bladed propellers. Notable features included a long ventral bomb-bay, glazed nose and twin tailfins replacing the DC-4E's distinctive triple rudder. The DC-4E's retractable tricycle undercarriage was retained, as well as the original wing form and powerplant arrangement. Defensive armament comprised one 20mm Type 99 Model 1 cannon each in a power-operated dorsal and tail turret plus single-mount hand-operated 7.7mm Type 97 machine guns in the nose, ventral and waist positions.

The first prototype G5N1 made its maiden flight on 14:35 8 April 1941. Overall performance proved disappointingly poor however, due to a combination of excessive weight, the unreliability of the Mamori engines and the complexity of the design. Only three more prototypes were completed. In an attempt to salvage the project, two additional airframes were fitted with 1,530 hp Mitsubishi MK4B 12 "Kasei" engines and redesignated G5N2s. Although the Mitsubishi engines were more reliable than the original Mamori 11s, the aircraft was now even more hopelessly underpowered and further development of the type was halted.

Of the six completed Shinzans, four of them were relegated for use as long-range Navy transports under the designation G5N2-L Shinzan-Kai Transport. The Allies allocated the code-name "Liz" to the aircraft, in the expectation it would be used as a bomber.

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