1/48 Nakajima Gekko Type 11 Early Version (Irving)

This is a plastic model kit, which comes unassembled and unpainted. So glue, model paints and other basic modelling tools are additionally required.

The story of the Gekko's development began when the Japanese Navy requested developent of a long-range fighter fast and maneuverable enough to oppose single-engine fighters. Nakajima proposed the Type 13-Shi Twin-Engine Land-Based Fighter (J1N1), which employed two 1000hp "Sakae" engines (same as Zero-Fighter engine) on its sturdy wings. Production was approved after the prototype was completed in March 1941, but in July 1942 its designation changed to Type 2 Land-Based Reconnaissance Aircraft. In May 1943, when the base of Rabaul in the Solomons came under the assault of noturnal raids from American B-17 bombers, a prototype equipped with two guns inclined to the front at a 30deg. angle was immediately deployed. During its first mission, the prototype downed two B-17. After reporting engagement results, many of the Type 2's were equipped with four 20mm oblique guns and re-designated as the Gekko (moonlight in Japanese) Type 11, and production of the new plane began. Unlike the late production model, these first night guns were employed for anti-ship missions and ground attack missions but as the role of the Gekko was anti-bomber missions, these lower guns were later eliminated and replaced with an additional upper oblique gun. The later production also featured an additional nose-mounted radar. Whereas early production Gekko were sent to many places in the Pacific, late production models were used to defend Japanese main land, mostly against B-29 heavy bombers.