Aichi B7A
|
|
| Aichi B7A "Ryusei" | ||
|---|---|---|
 Aichi B7A "Ryusei" | ||
| Description | ||
| Role | Carrier-based dive bomber and torpedo bomber | |
| Crew | 2 | |
| First Flight | 1941 | |
| Entered Service | ||
| Manufacturer | Aichi Kokuki KK | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 11.49 m | 37 ft 8½ in |
| Wingspan | 14.40 m | 47 ft 3 in |
| Height | 4.07 m | 13 ft 4¼ in |
| Wing area | 35.40 m² | 381 ft² |
| Weights | ||
| Empty | 3614 kg | 7,969 lb |
| Loaded | 5700 kg | 12,568 lb |
| Maximum takeoff | kg | lb |
| Powerplant | ||
| Engine | Nakajima NK9C Homare 12 18-cylinder radial | |
| Power | 1,360 kW | 1,825 hp |
| Performance | ||
| Maximum speed | 566 km/h | 352 mph |
| Combat range | 1,850 km | 1,150 miles |
| Ferry range | km | miles |
| Service ceiling | 8950 m | 29,365 ft |
| Rate of climb | m/min | ft/min |
| Armament | ||
| Guns | 2 × Type 9 Model 2 20 mm cannon (in wings) 1 × 7.92 mm or 13 mm gun (from rear cockpit) | |
| Bombs | 800 kg | 1,764 lb |
| Other | 1 × 800 kg (1764 lb) torpedo | |
The Aichi B7A Ryusei (Japanese: 愛知 B7A 流星, "Shooting Star") was a large and powerful dive bomber and torpedo bomber produced by Aichi Kokuki KK for the Imperial Japanese Navy. Given the codename Grace by the Allies, it first flew in 1941, but problems with the delivery of the engines meant that it was not produced in numbers until too late to affect the outcome of the war. There were no aircraft carriers left for it to fly from, and only 114 aircraft were produced.
Although the B7A carried a weapons load no greater than its predecessors, it displayed fighter-like handling and performance, besting the Mitsubishi Zeroes in service at the time. Had it been produced early and in greater numbers, it would have proved a considerable adversary to the United States Navy's fighters.
The powerplant was a 1,825 horsepower (1,360 kW) Nakajima NK9C Homare 12 18-cylinder radial engine, and the aircraft featured a 'bent' wing - an inverted gull-wing somewhat reminiscent of the German Junkers Ju 87 - to give clearance for the propeller without requiring the use of long main undercarriage legs.
| Related content | |
|---|---|
| Related development | |
| Similar aircraft | |
| Designation series | B1M - B2M - B3Y - B4Y - B5N - B5M - B6N - B7A |
| Related lists | List of military aircraft of Japan |
|
Lists of Aircraft | Aircraft manufacturers | Aircraft engines | Aircraft engine manufacturers Airports | Airlines | Air forces | Aircraft weapons | Missiles | Timeline of aviation |