61084 Nakajima Gekko Type 11 Early Version - Tamiya 1/48  [61084]

The tale regarding the Gekko's development started once the Japanese Navy asked for developent of a long-range fighter fast and maneuverable sufficient to oppose single-engine fighters. Nakajima proposed the kind 13-Shi Twin-Engine Land-Based Fighter (J1N1), which employed two 1000hp "Sakae" devices (identical to Zero-Fighter engine) on its sturdy wings. Production ended up being indeed approved after the model was completed in March 1941, in July 1942 its designation changed to Type 2 Land-Based Reconnaissance Aircraft. In May 1943, whenever base of Rabaul inside Solomons arrived within the assault of noturnal raids from US B-17 bombers, a prototype fashioned with two weapons inclined toward front side at a 30deg. angle have been instantly deployed. During its 1st goal, the model downed two B-17. After reporting engagement results, most of the Type 2's was built with four 20mm oblique guns and re-designated since the Gekko (moonlight in Japanese) Type 11, and manufacturing concerning the fresh airplane started. Unlike the belated manufacturing model, these first evening tools was at fact employed by anti-ship missions and ground attack missions but even though the part pertaining to Gekko had been anti-bomber missions, these paid off firearms had been down the road eradicated and changed with another top oblique gun. The following production additionally showcased an extra nose-mounted radar. Whereas early production Gekko ended up being certainly given to numerous places within the Pacific, late production models was at fact constantly protect Japanese primary land, mostly against B-29 hefty bombers.