**** DONE: 1/72 Nakajima J1N1-Sa Gekko - Pacific Theatre of Operations II
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Nakajima J1N Gekko ('Irving'). The Gekko – 'Moonlight' -
it was the Imperial Navy's land-based, twin-engine, long-range escort fighter. It never fared well in its intended role, however, and was soon used for reconnaissance duty and then as a night fighter. In this latter role, it finally found its niche, although with the advent of the B-29 over Japan itself, the Gekko proved a far less effective contender.
Development of the Gekko began in 1938 in response to the navy's perceived need for a long-range escort in the Chinese theater during the Sino-Japanese War. A prototype flew in May 1941, but, as was so often the case with high-performance Japanese prototypes, the aircraft was plagued with problems; in October it was decided to reconfigure it for the reconnaissance mission. It served in this capacity until spring 1943, when some of the aircraft were converted as night fighters, incorporating two forward- and upward-firing 20-mm cannon in the observer's cockpit and two more that fired forward and downward. Against B- 17 Flying Fortresses, the newly reconfigured Gekko proved quite effective, and authorization was given to build more of the night fighter variants.
The first J1N1-S Gekko Model 11, the purpose-built night fighter variant, rolled off the Nakajima assembly line in August 1943. This model either incorporated radar or a nose-mounted searchlight. The limited service ceiling, while sufficient for attacking B-17s, made the Gekko ineffective against B-29s. Before production ended in December 1944, 479 had been built.
A twin-engine, long-range escort fighter, reconnaissance aircraft, and night fighter (depending on the variant), the Gekko was constructed of metal with fabric-covered control surfaces. The night fighter variant was powered by two Nakajima Sakae 21 14-cylinder air-cooled radial engines, rated at 1,130 horsepower for takeoff. It had a wingspan of 55 feet 8 1/2 inches and a length of 39 feet 11 17/32 inches. Top speed was 315 miles per hour at 19,160 feet, with a service ceiling of 30,610 feet and a range of 2,348 miles. The night fighter was armed with a pair of dorsal oblique-firing 20- mm cannon, and some aircraft also mounted one forward-firing 20-mm cannon in the nose. The Gekko could carry two 551-pound bombs, and all variants carried bombs when used for suicide attacks. The reconnaissance variant was crewed by three, and the night fighter by two.
pics of model 11 S A
it was the Imperial Navy's land-based, twin-engine, long-range escort fighter. It never fared well in its intended role, however, and was soon used for reconnaissance duty and then as a night fighter. In this latter role, it finally found its niche, although with the advent of the B-29 over Japan itself, the Gekko proved a far less effective contender.
Development of the Gekko began in 1938 in response to the navy's perceived need for a long-range escort in the Chinese theater during the Sino-Japanese War. A prototype flew in May 1941, but, as was so often the case with high-performance Japanese prototypes, the aircraft was plagued with problems; in October it was decided to reconfigure it for the reconnaissance mission. It served in this capacity until spring 1943, when some of the aircraft were converted as night fighters, incorporating two forward- and upward-firing 20-mm cannon in the observer's cockpit and two more that fired forward and downward. Against B- 17 Flying Fortresses, the newly reconfigured Gekko proved quite effective, and authorization was given to build more of the night fighter variants.
The first J1N1-S Gekko Model 11, the purpose-built night fighter variant, rolled off the Nakajima assembly line in August 1943. This model either incorporated radar or a nose-mounted searchlight. The limited service ceiling, while sufficient for attacking B-17s, made the Gekko ineffective against B-29s. Before production ended in December 1944, 479 had been built.
A twin-engine, long-range escort fighter, reconnaissance aircraft, and night fighter (depending on the variant), the Gekko was constructed of metal with fabric-covered control surfaces. The night fighter variant was powered by two Nakajima Sakae 21 14-cylinder air-cooled radial engines, rated at 1,130 horsepower for takeoff. It had a wingspan of 55 feet 8 1/2 inches and a length of 39 feet 11 17/32 inches. Top speed was 315 miles per hour at 19,160 feet, with a service ceiling of 30,610 feet and a range of 2,348 miles. The night fighter was armed with a pair of dorsal oblique-firing 20- mm cannon, and some aircraft also mounted one forward-firing 20-mm cannon in the nose. The Gekko could carry two 551-pound bombs, and all variants carried bombs when used for suicide attacks. The reconnaissance variant was crewed by three, and the night fighter by two.
pics of model 11 S A
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fubar57
General
Nice looking aircraft Sergio. Not sure if you need this....
Geo
Geo
Lucky13
Forum Mascot
Good one Sergio!
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vikingBerserker
Lieutenant General
Very nice!
Vic Balshaw
Major General
Nearly missed this one Sergio, talk about volume production, you're certainly churning them out. Good choice my friend.
Catch22
Major
Cool!
Lucky13
Forum Mascot
Off to a good start Sergio!
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this anger by becoming good, you will not miss, I assure you.
I have 15 days until I get the caponi the ca-12 ue tyengo what time to detail it quietly and thoroughly.
today I'll post to make the interior structure of beams and ribs.
Thanks friend a compliment all of you.
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Crimea_River
Marshal
Good one Sergio.
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Coming along nicely so far!
Vic Balshaw
Major General
That a very small space your working with, good base for detail Sergio.
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