|
In 1938, with success of the Mitsubishi G4M attack bomber, the
Japanese Navy issued requirement for an advanced four-engine heavy
bomber
which could operate more
long-range and bomb load than the G4M.
Nakajima and Kawanishi were selected to create two new bombers, one was
the land-based airplane and the other was flying boat. Kawanishi agreed
to tackle the flying boat that became H8K Emily, and Nakajima took the
land-based bomber that led to the G5N Shinzan program. The G5N Shinzan
was the first Japanese largest aircraft ever built. The Japanese Army
also interested in this heavy bomber. The Army owned Douglas DC-4E was
hand-overed to Nakajima for both the Navy G5N and Army Ki-68 programs
start. Nakajima engineers took the wings, landing gears and powerplant
installation from the DC-4E to complete the G5N1 prototype. The first
prototype made its first flight in 1942. Performance was disappointing
as the DC-4E. Totally six prototypes were completed. Four prototypes
were converted to G5N-2 transport airplane. Due to the lack of
experience with large aircraft development, the G5N program was
cancelled in 1944.
|
