Tamiya 61078 - 1/48 Nakajima Gekko Type 11 Late Version  [61078]

The tale associated with the Gekko (Moonlight)

It had been to be another long-range harassment of this Japanese outpost of Rabaul, Brand New Britain Island. Inside very early hours of might 21, 1943, the B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 43d Bombardment Group moved inland, placing by themselves in array of Japanese fighters. The gunners scanned the darkness for the night sky for enemy aircraft, nonetheless it seemed clear. Then, just before the bomb run could begin, enemy fire pierced the underbelly regarding the bomber and struck the machines, delivering the B-17 crashing to the ocean. The fatal shots originated from the 20mm firearms of fixed-angle, oblique-firing system mounted on a Japanese "Gekko" (Moonlight) night fighter, that the US would later name, "Irving". Its development goes back once again to 1938, if the Japanese Navy had been preparing a twin-engine fighter to aid its long-range bombers. The aircraft had been necessary to manage to greater rates and longer range compared to "Zero", and add up to it with regards to maneuverability. The Nakajima Company brought forward a prototype, the 13-Shi Twin-engine Land-Based Fighter (J1N1), that used two 1000hp "Sakae" machines, one for each of its sturdy primary wings. As it proved inferior to single-engine fighters of the time, it absolutely was used as a sort 2 Land-based Reconnaissance Aircraft (J1N1-R). However, the requirement to counter the nocturnal B-17 bombers inside Southwest Pacific generated its transformation into a night-fighter. This change came about by positioning the armaments to fire at an oblique angle through the distinct trip, permitting the fighters to swiftly strike the bombers while keeping a parallel course and rate with a target either above or below.

Exquisite Activity

• 1/48 scale fun is ideal to appreciate the delicate curvatures and subtle detailing of this legendary IJN aircraft.
• Oblique weapons and ammo cases recreated with stunning precision. Gun examination hatch may be modeled on view or closed position.
• Model is sold with markings for just two aircraft and two finely sculpted figures.

The sort 99 20mm No. 2 Fixed device Guns

The Type 99 20mm # 2 Fixed Machine firearms were installed obliquely regarding Gekko. These fearsome tools could possibly be laden with about 100 bullets each (but usually, only 90 had been loaded due the rigidity associated with springs). Two among these weapons were mounted on the top of fuselage and two on reduced fuselage for a total of four. But there were some aircraft with three weapons over the top but without lower weapons.