**** DONE: GB-58 1/48 D4Y2-S Suisei - Night Fighters all Eras

Wayne Little · May 13, 2023

Username : Wayne Little
First name : Wayne
Category : Judge – Non competing
Scale : 1/48
Manufacturer / Model : Fine Molds
Extras : (Eduard) Cockpit Seatbelts

This variant of the D4Y was designated D4Y2-S, a Nightfighter Version and as such was modified to carry an upward forward firing Cannon in the rear fuselage protruding up through the Canopy at approx. 30 degrees.

This aircraft was flown by Chief Petty Officer Yoshimitsu Naka and Lt. (JG) Junior Grade Hisao Kanazawa of the 302nd Naval Air Group, based at Atsugi Air base in Kanagawa Prefecture, approximately 50km Southwest of Tokyo.

This D4Y and Crew was by far the most successful in this version of IJN Nightfighter, as shown by the Victory markings on the vertical tail, claiming 5 Confirmed and 4 Damaged B-29 Aircraft respectively.

Photo Reference : 302 Kokutai Pictorial Kokufan Illustrated with Yoshimitsu Naka on the right.

Wurger · May 13, 2023

Wayne Little · May 13, 2023

Ok, have wound up my other Spitty I was working on with my GB57 entry.... so here are some starting pics of the cockpit

Wurger · May 13, 2023

Vic Balshaw · May 13, 2023

What a great subject Wayne, another one out of the ordinary.

Kalakan · May 13, 2023

Wayne Little said:
Username : Wayne Little
First name : Wayne
Category : Judge – Non competing
Scale : 1/48
Manufacturer / Model : Fine Molds
Extras : (Eduard) Cockpit Seatbelts

This variant of the D4Y was designated D4Y2-S, a Nightfighter Version and as such was modified to carry an upward forward firing Cannon in the rear fuselage protruding up through the Canopy at approx. 30 degrees.

This aircraft was flown by Chief Petty Officer Yoshimitsu Naka and Lt. (JG) Junior Grade Hisao Kanazawa of the 302nd Naval Air Group, based at Atsugi Air base in Kanagawa Prefecture, approximately 50km Southwest of Tokyo.

This D4Y and Crew was by far the most successful in this version of IJN Nightfighter, as shown by the Victory markings on the vertical tail, claiming 5 Confirmed and 4 Damaged B-29 Aircraft respectively.

Photo Reference : 302 Kokutai Pictorial Kokufan Illustrated with Yoshimitsu Naka on the right.

View attachment 720582 View attachment 720583

This is a nice project indeed.

Cheers Wayne =D>

N4521U · May 14, 2023

Wayne, 1/48th???????? Is this referred to as Down Sizing?????

Wayne Little · May 14, 2023

Not sure what you mean Bill...

been in the 1/48 zone for a short while now.....be upsizing again soon enough....

More cockpit work done, added more in the rear section.....including the seat, ammunition Box for the cannon and covered up the Bomb aiming section in the floor with plastic card...this work was all done Wed/Thursday as I had started prepping stuff earlier in the week...

Wurger · May 14, 2023

Vic Balshaw · May 14, 2023

Interesting seat for the pilot with that double step.

Wurger · May 14, 2023

Possible in order to keep the pilot being on the edge all the flight time. Or they allowd to fly the humpback pilots.

Crimea_River · May 14, 2023

Interesting subject.

destrozas · May 14, 2023

Yes, that about the seat is interesting, my hypothesis, what wouldn't it be to accommodate the parachute?, although at this time how fashionable is this integration thing and others that are not what Wotjek says so that another type of pilot can fly ...

Wayne Little · May 15, 2023

Yes the stepped seat accommodates the Parachute, this type of seat is also in the P1Y1 Frances as well and I have seen a variation on the N1K2-J too.
Contrary to popular belief Japanese crew were issued parachutes, but did not always use or carry them, sometimes they were simply used as seat cushions.

Anyway back to the build, paint splashed all over the cockpit and fuselage walls and extra paints here and there, some dry brushing and seat belts added too to take shape...