1/72 Kawanishi N1K1/2 'Breaking Wind' Done! (Endpics page 3)

[Tophe]

The first flight is November 1946, OK (my father may confirm), but what about the design project date? May I classify it in the 1939-45 designs?
Thanks!

This other question will decide if I include your model on my other site http://www.kristofmeunier.fr/twin_boom_whatif_1939_45.htm
It would be nice, but if History decides it is a 1946 design, I must accept it...

[Sticky Fingers]

Could well be a '45 designed plane, seeing as your list also includes this one. It's the Igo missile that dates this specific plane to 1946, but the design for the original N1K1 Kyofu is from 1944, and the N1K2 Shinden Kai (the wheeled version) first became operational in 1945. If there were unused floats laying around, and the surplus contra prop set ups were still taking up warehouse space, then yes, the N1K1/2 could be a design from, say, October 1945.
Maybe I'll try to do a full backstory, but not now


It might be based on the fact that Japan became wise to the Manhattan Project, they then convinced America (through counter intelligence) they had their own version of the atomic bomb and the means to deliver it to the west coast of the USA using a modified Sen Toku I-400-class submarine and launching atomic torpedo-like missiles (later tested by the US Navy under the 'Jupiter' guise), therefore creating a nuclear stalemate and not ending the war in august 1945. Home defence against a 'regular' invasion became thus even more important than it already was, and defending an empire consisting of lots of islands called for fast, water-borne aircraft for reconnaissance, interception and anti shipping missions.

As the Shinden Kai was at that moment arguably the Japanese Navy's best aircraft it's understandable they choose that proven airframe to expiriment further with, and so the N1K1/2 was born, and later proved itself even more important as being the first Japanese single seater to launch a heat seeking missile in anger: the Igo-2-A fired against HMS Irreplaceable of the British Pacific Fleet: she was hit and sufficiently crippled to be out of commission until just before the end of the war.

And that's the plane you will find modelled above.

Whoops! I just made up a backstory!

Oh well, leaves me more time to continue work on my next project (which will be in the sci-fi forum and will have no wings )

[Tophe]

  Thanks for the confirmation (not for the atomic attack of California...)

[NARSES2]

Superb 

[Jay-Jay]

My eyes popped out and my brain just blew out........
Brilliant !! Just Brilliant !! I am getting more and more addicted to What If models !!!

Look Ma', I'm insane !!! 

[PR19_Kit]

Look Ma', I'm insane !!! 

Er, no.........

It's those others who are insane, the ones who point out that you've only modelled 15 cowling fasteners and there were really 17. 

[Jay-Jay]

Well, I do agree! 
"Never try to talk to a 1/144 rivet counter" I learned it the hard way..... 
Really funny when "those ones" explain you how an aircraft IS when you are actually an airplane mechanic 

I dicovered the "What If" universe since 4 years  or so only to regret not to have discover it earlier !!!
Hope to be able to share with you my "insanity" soon 
Cheers
J-J

[PR19_Kit]

I dicovered the "What If" universe since 4 years  or so only to regret not to have discover it earlier !!!

This year we celebrated the 21st anniversary of the UK WhatIf SIG at the Telford Show, so you were a tad late.   

I might add that I had my first Whiff model on display for the occasion and it was built in 1972............ 

But welcome to the madhouse anyway, new minds and thought patterns are always welcome.

[Sticky Fingers]

My eyes popped out and my brain just blew out........

You make a mess, you clean it up, yeah?

Brilliant !! Just Brilliant !!

Thanks for that!

Superb 

Thanks

[ericr]

astonishingly beautiful!

the twin chariot is just the cherry on the cake! ("cerise sur le gâteau" in French)

[Dizzyfugu]

the twin chariot is just the cherry on the cake! ("cerise sur le gâteau" in French)

Second that. Very nice work! 

[Sticky Fingers]

Thank you / merci beaucoup! 

[Captain Canada]

Wow ! What an awesome piece of work ! Sorry I missed it, but super glad I saw it this time around ! Love the beaching cart as well....really brings it to life. Great selection of photos as well. Especially the photoshop with the crewmen.

[comrade harps]

That vis a beauty! 

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

Love the contra-prop on one side and the three-blader on the other.... that's a whole load of opposite torque to deal with. Excellent work. 

Ian