Nakajima G8N - Definition and Overview

The Nakajima G8N "Renzan" (連山, "mountain range") was a land-based bomber designed for use by the Imperial Japanese Navy. The Navy designation was "Type 18 land-based attack aircraft" (一八試陸上攻撃機); the Allied code name was "Rita".

The initial prototype was completed in October 1944, a mere one year after the Navy ordered development to start, and delivered in January 1945. However, the worsening war situation and a shortage of aluminum led to the project's cancellation in June. Four examples were built between October 1944 and June 1944. After the war, one prototype was taken the U.S. and scrapped after testing. None are extant today.

Specifications (G8N1)

General Characteristics

• Crew: ten
• Length: 22.94 m (75 ft 3 in)
• Wingspan: 32.54 m (106 ft 9 in)
• Height: 7.20 m (23 ft 7 in)
• Wing area: 112 m² (1,205 ft²)
• Empty: 17,400 kg (38,280 lb)
• Loaded: 26,800 kg (58,960 lb)
• Maximum takeoff: 32,150 kg (70,730 lb)
• Powerplant: 4x Nakajima NK9K-L 24 "Homare" 18-cylinder radials, 1,492 kW (2,000 hp) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 576 km/h (390 mph)
• Range: 7,250 km (4,531 miles)
• Service ceiling: 10,200 m (33,456 ft)
• Rate of climb: 457 m/min (1,499 ft/min)
• Wing loading: 239 kg/m² (49 lb/ft²)
• Power/Mass: 0.22 kW/kg (0.14 hp/lb)

Armament

• 2x 20 mm Type 99 cannon in each of dorsal, ventral, and tail turrets
• 2x 13 mm Type 2 machine guns in nose turret
• 2x 13 mm Type 2 machine gun in fuselage sides
• up to 4,000 kg (8,800 lb) of bombs

Related content

Related development:

Comparable aircraft:

Designation sequence: G5N - G6M - G7M - G8N - G9K - G10N