Tamiya 1/48 Nakajima Gekko Type 11 Late Version #61078  [61078]

The Story associated with the Gekko (Moonlight)

It was become another long-range harassment of this Japanese outpost of Rabaul, Brand New Britain Island. Into the very early hours of might 21, 1943, the B-17 Flying Fortresses associated with the 43d Bombardment Group moved inland, putting by themselves in array of Japanese fighters. The gunners scanned the darkness regarding the evening sky for enemy aircraft, however it seemed clear. Then, right before the bomb run could begin, enemy fire pierced the underbelly for the bomber and struck the engines, delivering the B-17 crashing in to the ocean. The fatal shots originated in the 20mm firearms of fixed-angle, oblique-firing system mounted on a Japanese "Gekko" (Moonlight) evening fighter, your US would later name, "Irving". Its development goes back to 1938, once the Japanese Navy ended up being preparing a twin-engine fighter to aid its long-range bombers. The aircraft ended up being needed to be capable of greater speeds and longer range compared to the "Zero", and corresponding to it regarding maneuverability. The Nakajima Company brought ahead a model, the 13-Shi Twin-engine Land-Based Fighter (J1N1), which used two 1000hp "Sakae" engines, one for each of its sturdy main wings. Since it proved inferior incomparison to single-engine fighters of the time, it absolutely was adopted as a sort 2 Land-based Reconnaissance Aircraft (J1N1-R). But the need to counter the nocturnal B-17 bombers in the Southwest Pacific resulted in its conversion into a night-fighter. This change came about by positioning the armaments to fire at an oblique angle from type of journey, permitting the fighters to swiftly hit the bombers while keeping a parallel course and speed with a target either above or below.

Exquisite Recreation

• 1/48 scale fun is ideal to appreciate the delicate curvatures and subtle detailing with this legendary IJN aircraft.
• Oblique guns and ammo situations recreated with stunning accuracy. Gun examination hatch are modeled in the open or closed position.
• Model includes markings for 2 aircraft and two finely sculpted numbers.

The sort 99 20mm number 2 Fixed device firearms

The sort 99 20mm number 2 Fixed device Guns had been installed obliquely in the Gekko. These fearsome weapons could possibly be laden up with about 100 bullets each (but frequently, only 90 were loaded due the rigidity regarding the springs). Two of these guns had been installed on the upper fuselage and two regarding lower fuselage for a total of four. However, there have been some aircraft with three guns ahead but without the lower weapons.