Due for release this month in the Ushi Models range of fine resin kits from Japan is this IJN Aichi S1A experimental night fighter Denko ('Lightning/Electric Light' - 電光). The crisply moulded Ushi resin kits of Japanese experimental types tend to slip in under the radar and disappear quickly so if you want one you gotta be quick! Fine details on this kit appear to be 3D moulded and the canopies are vacform. Decals are included for a 'what if' Yokosuka Defence Ku aircraft YoD-1136 and both 'Ko' prototypes. Direct from HLJ it will cost £57.36.
The two prototype 18-shi aircraft were destroyed in bombing raids when 70% and 90% complete respectively so Denko never took to the air. The aircraft was to have a heavy forward firing armament in the nose of two 'original and efficient' Type 5 30mm and two Type 99 Mk.2 20mm fixed machine guns with an additional two Type 99 Mk.1 20mm machine guns in the remote controlled dorsal barbette. The radar operator/dorsal gunner astrodome could be raised for better observation and the dorsal guns could be elevated to fire obliquely at a 30 degrees angle. Gyoku-3 radar equipment was planned but installation arrangements are uncertain. Retractable air brakes under each wing were designed to allow the aircraft to slow and formate with its intended B-29 targets and to increase lift of this heavy aircraft at takeoff bakelite wing tip extensions were designed to be jettisoned once airborne. The Nakajima Homare 22 engines had cooling fans and thrust exhausts. Production aircraft were planned to have turbosupercharged Homare 24 engines to achieve a top speed of 422 mph.
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