B6N Tenzan development answered weaknesses in the B5N already apparent over China, where air opposition was limited. It first flew in March 1941 and entered service in August 1943. An overloaded aircraft industry struggled to bring the improved equipment into service quickly. The new torpedo bomber's engine offered about 1,850 horsepower at takeoff, demonstrating the stronger power plants being developed in Japan.
Notable Point · 1:10:16-1:11:36
B6N development outpaces Japan's ability to field it
Weaknesses exposed in the B5N over China prompt the Tenzan, but the new torpedo bomber takes more than two years after its first flight to enter service.