Fujimi1/72 C Series No.43 Nakajima J1N1-S Gekko Type 11 Late Model

Defend the night sky with that slanted gun! The Gekko Model 11 Late Production Version is now available in the 1/72 Japanese Aircraft (C Series) line! The Gekko was a night fighter operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy. When development first began, it was designated the “13th Experimental Twin-Engine Land-Based Fighter” as a twin-engine long-range fighter; however, with the outbreak of World War II, the Navy’s operational philosophy shifted. It was officially adopted by the Navy as a reconnaissance aircraft capable of leveraging its high speed and long range, and entered service in 1942 (Showa 17) as the Type 2 Land-Based Reconnaissance Aircraft. Later, as the war progressed and the need arose to intercept enemy bombers at night, it was equipped for use as a night fighter and was officially adopted as the Gekko Model 11 in 1943 (Sh?wa 18). A distinctive feature of the Gekko as a night fighter was its 20-mm cannon mounted at an upward angle (initially, downward-firing versions also existed). Known as the “oblique gun,” this configuration was designed to deliver more hits while flying alongside enemy bombers. The Gekko Model 11, at the time of its official adoption, was equipped with a 20-mm cannon mounted on a stepped rear fuselage?a feature carried over from the prototype phase?but in later production models, this step was eliminated, resulting in a straight rear fuselage. Toward the end of the war, during the homeland air defense campaign, it engaged B-29s attacking at night, and some crews even recorded multiple B-29 shoot-downs. It fought as the mainstay of nighttime homeland air defense until the end of the war. When development first began, it was designated the “Thirteenth Experimental Twin-Engine Land-Based Fighter” as a twin-engine long-range fighter, but with the outbreak of World War II, fighter operational doctrine shifted. It was officially adopted by the Navy as a reconnaissance aircraft and entered service in 1942 (Sh?wa 17) as the Type 2 Land-Based Reconnaissance Aircraft. Later, it was repurposed as a night fighter to intercept American heavy bombers during nighttime raids. In 1943 (Sh?wa 18), it was officially adopted as the Gekko Model 11 night fighter. A distinctive feature of the Gekko as a night fighter was its 20-mm cannon mounted at an upward angle. This configuration, known as a “slanted gun,” was designed to deliver more hits while flying parallel to enemy bombers. The initial Gekko Model 11, adopted into standard service, mounted its 20-mm cannon on a stepped rear fuselage?a feature carried over from the prototype stage. Later production models were characterized by a straight rear fuselage without this step. During the final stages of the war, in the defense of the home islands, it engaged B-29s during nighttime raids and even recorded B-29 shoot-downs. It continued to fight until the end of the war. A 1/72 scale model of the Imperial Japanese Navy’s Gekko night fighter. Unpainted plastic model kit. Glue and paint required. This model depicts the late-production Gekko Model 11, which features a rear fuselage without the step. The Gekko served as an Imperial Japanese Navy night fighter until the end of the war. It is a famous aircraft that is indispensable for any collection of Japanese warplanes from World War II. The twin-engine, two-seat airframe is reproduced with engraved panel lines. Equipment unique to night fighters, such as the slanted gun behind the pilot’s seat, is realistically reproduced. The molded color is dark green. From the moment you open the package, you can visualize the distinctive appearance of a night fighter, with its entire fuselage painted in a deep green color. The set includes three types of decals, including one for an aircraft belonging to the 210th Naval Air Group, characterized by the crescent moon marking on the nose. Please note that due to monitor settings and image resolution, the colors may appear different from the actual product. (From the Fujimi Models website)