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

The tale of this Gekko's development started once the Japanese Navy asked for developent of a long-range fighter fast and maneuverable enough to oppose single-engine fighters. Nakajima proposed the sort 13-Shi Twin-Engine Land-Based Fighter (J1N1), which employed two 1000hp "Sakae" engines (identical to Zero-Fighter motor) on its sturdy wings. Manufacturing had been approved after the prototype was completed in March 1941, in July 1942 its designation changed to Type 2 Land-Based Reconnaissance Aircraft. In May 1943, when the base of Rabaul inside Solomons came under the assault of noturnal raids from American B-17 bombers, a prototype built with two weapons inclined toward front side at a 30deg. angle was instantly deployed. During its first objective, the prototype downed two B-17. After reporting engagement results, most of the Type 2's had been built with four 20mm oblique guns and re-designated because the Gekko (moonlight in Japanese) Type 11, and manufacturing regarding the brand new airplane started. Unlike the belated production model, these first night weapons had been used by anti-ship missions and ground attack missions but while the role associated with Gekko had been anti-bomber missions, these reduced firearms were later on eradicated and changed with an additional top oblique weapon. The later production also showcased an extra nose-mounted radar. Whereas early manufacturing Gekko had been provided for many places within the Pacific, late production models had been always protect Japanese main land, mostly against B-29 hefty bombers.