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| A rear view of the Kate's forward fuselage. This is the area of the aircraft where seats for the pilot and navigator/bombardier are located. (PRNewsFoto/Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl...) |
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| The outer wing and forward fuselage of Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor's Nakajima Kate, shown behind a WWII torpedo. Members of Lt Ted Shealy's Restoration Shop perform preservation work on the delicate airframe. (PRNewsFoto/Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl...) |
HONOLULU- The Nakajima B5N Torpedo Bomber was the pride
of the Imperial Japanese Navy and was considered the most effective
aircraft of its kind at the beginning of World War II. She caused most
of the battleship damage during the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii,
December 7, 1941. Seventy-five years later, the Type 97 Carrier Torpedo
Bomber, dubbed the "Kate" by the allies, will return to the exact spot
where she made aviation history and be displayed at Pacific Aviation
Museum Pearl Harbor on Ford Island.
"This aircraft is one of a few known to have survived the war," said Kenneth DeHoff, executive director of Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor. "An estimated 1,149 B5N's were built, and only bits and pieces survive today, except for this Kate with its intriguing history.
Work has begun on
the Kate's fuselage and wings in the Museum's Lt. Ted Shealy's
Restoration Shop, located in historic Hangar 79. "We expect it will take
five years to restore the B5N for static display quality" according to
DeHoff. "With this year being the 75th Anniversary of the
attack on Pearl Harbor, the museum is honored to be able to display the
Kate where she made aviation history, sharing a legacy with thousands of
visitors worldwide."
Pacific Aviation
Museum Pearl Harbor is located on Historic Ford Island, where the first
bombs fell during the attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941. Visitors
to the Museum can see remnants from that day of infamy, including the
158-foot tall, red and white iconic Ford Island Air Field Control Tower,
Hangars 37 and 79, and bullet holes that still remain. Through its
preservation and restoration of World War II fighter planes and
accompanying artifacts in the
Museum's historic
hangars, Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor shares the story of the
vital role aviation played in winning of World War II, and its
continuing role in maintaining America's freedom.
Pacific Aviation
Museum Pearl Harbor is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. Its mission
is to develop and maintain an internationally recognized aviation
museum on Historic Ford Island that educates young and old alike, honors
aviators and their support personnel who defended freedom in The
Pacific Region, and to preserve Pacific aviation history. Contact:
808-441-1000.
