LCDR Murata Shigeharu's
Nakajima B5N2 Type 97 "Kate"
Akagi Kanjo Kogekikitai
By Don Albert

This Fujima 1/48th scale Nakajima B5N2 Type 97 "Kate" has been built to depict the plane flown by LCDR Murata Shigeharu, commanding officer of Akagi Kanjo Kogekikitai (Akagi Carrier Attack Unit) at Midway. Murata, who led the Japanese torpedo attack at Pearl Harbor, was held in reserve with LCDR Egusa Takashige and LCDR Itaya Shigeru while LT Tomonaga Joichi led the June 4 attack on Midway. As events unfolded, American carriers were spotted after the second wave began rearming for a second attack on Midway. This, plus a delay caused when the first was was recovered and rearmed, meant the planned attack was to be launched at 1030. The first A6M2 was rolling down Akagi's deck when dive bombers from Enterprise hit. Murata and the rest of his strike group was caught on Akagi, only minutes for possibly being able to deal the United States a crippling blow. LCDR Murata would survive his carrier's sinking, and would die leading an attack on Hornet at the Battle of Santa Cruz on October 26, 1942.

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