Tamiya 1/72 Kawanishi Shiden Type 11

Evolving from the Kawanishi N1K1 “Kyofu” floatplane, the Imperial Japanese Navy’s N1K1-J Shiden had a unique pedigree amoung WW2 landplane fighters of the world. In January 1942, the Kawanishi Aircraft firm began adaptation of the Kyofu into a land based fighter, strictly as a private venture. This project was soon officially authorized under the designation N1K1-J, with the first prototype flying in December 1942. The airframe was basically the same as its predecessor, with main landing gear and tall wheel replacing the floats. In place of Kyofu’s Mitsubihi Kasei engine, a more compact and powerful Nakajima Homare engine was installed.