Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 52:25-53:17

Uncertain protection for C6N fuel tanks

The C6N was designed with protective measures for its fuel tanks, but surviving evidence and Japanese quality control make their effectiveness uncertain.

Aircraft SurvivabilityJapanese Naval AviationNakajima C6N SaiunQuality Control
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Question

Did the Nakajima C6N have self-sealing fuel tanks, or was it highly vulnerable to fire?

Short answer

Protective features were intended, but inconsistent production quality and the loss of Japanese design records make their real effectiveness difficult to establish.

Notes

Fuel-tank protection was theoretically provided, but its effectiveness is difficult to establish. Japanese production quality was inconsistent. Much knowledge of these aircraft comes from crashed examples. The destruction of design records limits comparison between intended protection and the aircraft actually produced.