B5N2 - "Kate" Overview A relatively new addition to the AH set, the B5N2 flushes out the set of Japanese carrier borne aircraft with a torpedo bomber. Typically torpedo bombers have not been entirely useful in AH as they are very vulnerable to attack, and the Kate is no different. If anything, the Kate is probably the most vulnerable aircraft in the game right now. |
 B5N2 Kate |
The Kate is simply not quite up to the task or survival in the MA. There are a couple of other planes that offer more firepower offensively and/or defensively, and the whole concept of torpedo attacks is somewhat diminished in value because of the murderous 5inch ack. The Kate finds itself with a bit of a role problem and will most likely be used mainly in scenarios.
Engine Performance
The Kate is slow, dreadfully so. Just when you may have thought there couldn't be anything slower that could fly, the Kate came along to prove that wrong. Sea-level speed is only 217 mph, while the top speed is around 236mph @ 12K. Climb rate is also rather pathetic, maintaining a little over 1,500ft/minute up to about the same level, 12K. Over 12K the performance decreases fairly rapidly both in top speed and climb. Strapping on external loads, which is the whole purpose of this aircraft, is going to punish you even more. The single torpedo option drops your sea-level speed to 211mph, while the three 250kg bomb option sets you back to 208mph. You are likely to bump into aircraft roughly twice as fast as you are, so be prepared. Range is excellent at 87 minutes on full internal fuel so it is unlikely you actually need to take more than 50% fuel. Still, with a top speed over only 236mph you aren't likely to get all that far in 87 minutes.
Weapons
Talking about the firepower of the Kate is pretty easy. There are no forward firing guns, a trait shared by maybe only 1 other unit, the Arado. It makes the whole idea of dogfighting rather pointless other than as some method to keep an enemy infront of you so he can't be behind you. To the rear the defensive situation is not really better, with a single 7.7mm protecting the rear. At least with some similarly vulnerable planes you have some forward firepower, but with the Kate you are really in the bag. A single 7.7mm mount is unlikely to even be considered a defense and anyone who jumps to the rear gun thinking they are putting up even a laughable defense is incorrect, nobody is going to take it seriously The external ordinance options are a little better, with either a centerline mounted torpedo (actually off center a bit) or up to 3 250kg bombs. That's pretty reasonable, but the drag and climb penalties for loading up the Kate make it a bit of a problem. It appears there is an actual torpedo sight on the plane too, though it takes a bit of work to get used to it. This is much better than for other similar torpedo planes, which do not have a sight and rely mostly on dead recogning.
Maneuverability
The Kate seems pretty maneuverable, even with a bomb/torpedo load, though I don't know how much it is going to help you to maneuver. The controls are very responsive and the turning rate/radius quite small. The Kate has a huge wingspan though, close to 51ft, so it is a large target with good lift properties. The plane is also light, weighing in at a paltry 8,378lb's unloaded. Even with full external load it is still light, and thus the reason it turns so well. The turn rate is not a good offensive tool though, since unlike some other attack planes that have similar good turning (the Val comes to mind), you don't have any forward firing guns. Out-turning a fighter is not going to really scare him, likely he'll just extend with superior speed and come back since you can't pull out your service pistol and shoot at him. Dive performance is very good, far better than average for most IJN planes. Dives to over 550mph are possible with the plane holding together and almost full control possible with no compression.
Flying the B5N2
The Kate is really more of an era plane for use in scenarios and events, but could be used successfully in a low/no threat area of the main arena. It packs a decent load of bombs and the torpedo could be useful against ships. The plane has a torpedo sight, or something that resembles it, and there have already been some descriptions on how to use it to attack ships. This could be very useful, though I haven't yet given it a try and ships can still easily maneuver to avoid attack.
Typical flight profile seems to be, to climb to no more than about 10K before beginning your attack, In the case of a bombing attack, roll in as normal from above the target and drop. In the case of a torpedo attack, use a shallow dive to increase your speed to the target, planning to arrive at sea-level just before you are ready to drop. Remember to keep your speed and altitude within torpedo launch parameters, athough this should be easy since the B5N2 is unlikely to be flying too fast.
Defensively, you don't have many options. I wouldn't recommend sitting in the tail guns and thinking they are going to discourage anything. Likely you will have to call for help and try to simply survive as long as possible through maneuvering. Maybe, if you can elist a gunner, try and keep just out of the attackers gun lead and see if your gunner can eventually put enough hits into the enemy to make him break off.
Fighting the B5N2
The B5N2 should be about the easiest kill you can possibly get in the game. Approach from any angle, although a lag style turn is going to keep you out of the possibility of a tail-gunner getting a lucky shot. From my experience the Kate doesn't seem very tough and breaks up quickly. If it begins a maneuver defense, see if you can keep with it, and if not, break off, reverse some distance away, and then come back. Don't worry about the Kate running away, it can't, even a C47 could catch up to a Kate. Also don't worry about the Kate taking pot shots at you while you extend, it can't, it doesn't have any forward firing guns. Also, for that reason, Head-Ons are totally safe, so if a big, slow, Kate is willing to give you a Head-On, take it without question, but watch out for the possibility of collision. There really are two things that are likely to cause you problems with the Kate. 1) a collision because you ram him 2) friendly fire since everyone within icon range is likely to dive in for the easy kill.
Defensively, a Kate behind you even at close range is no danger. Chasing a Kate is actually more dangerous than being chased by one (how often can you actually say that in AH). Ignore it, build up some seperation, and then come back to finish him off. Considering his low top speed, you can accelerate away from him like he's standing still.