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G8N “Renzan” (“Mountain Ridge”)
The ability to strike enemy bases, as well as encounters with the American “Flying Fortress” in the air, had convinced Japanese navy to have own heavy bomber for supporting its actions by the end of 1942. Tasks to develop a heavy bomber were given within 16-Si and 17-Si programs. But the two-engine aircraft proposed by “Kawanishi” and “Mitsubishi” didn’t satisfy the Japanese naval command. “Nakajima” was contracted to develop a heavy bomber project within the 18-Si program. The requirements specification was first issued in February 1943, but ultimately formulated only in September.
The task required to create a bomber with the top speed of 590 km/h, 3700 km range and 4000 kg payload. Defensive weapons should have consisted of 4 electromechanical turrets like on American bombers. The first example took off in October 1944. And despite the aircraft being designed specifically for mass production, only three test examples were made. Test flights continued until December 1945. Given the catastrophic lack of everything, ruptured economy and halted industry, mass production was impossible. Japanese themselves planned on building only 48 of these bombers until September 1945. It is incomparable with the huge army of American heavy and strategic bombers – their overall count reaches 36.000! It is almost a thousand (!) times more!
Technically, “Renzan” was more advanced than the “Fortress”, which was becoming obsolete by the end of WWII. Japanese bomber possessed better speed and range, though it could carry a somewhat lesser load.
Probably, in your hands this vary aircraft will be the key to victory!
Nakajima G8N “Renzan” in the "Pacific Storm"
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