Kawanishi N1K6-J Shinden-kai "Lightraider". RVNAF 1963. Finished pics pg 5.

[zenrat]

,,,To me Fred it's strangely got a smoothed out Skyraider look to it with that canopy .

It's significantly smaller than a Spad.  But I see where you are coming from.

I glued the hardpoints on today.  Weapons are almost ready to attach,  Needs some weathering and little bits of detail painting.

[zenrat]

Finished, pics taken, writing the backstory.

[zenrat]

Kawanishi N1K6-J Shinden-kai "Lightraider". Republic of Vietnam Air Force 1963

Kawanishi N1K6 - 1 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

When World War 2 ended in 1948 the allied nations had occupied what was left of Japan.  The Soviet Union having invaded from the North, and Australia and the United States from the South (Britain took no part having surrendered in 1941, at which point Canada was absorbed into the US while India became an Australian Overseas Protectorate).
Under the terms of the occupation Japan became a divided country with Russian, Australian and American Zones.  The occupying powers oversaw the reconstruction of Japan, housing the population, rebuilding industries, and rehabilitating farmland.

Kawanishi N1K6 - 17 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

As The Cold War built in intensity all three occupying powers used Japan's lack of nation status (as an occupied territory it did not qualify for membership) to avoid UN prescriptions against supplying weapons to supported regimes involved in conflicts and/or suppression of their populations.
While initially wartime Japanese or Allied designs were produced over time the weapons evolved to fit their new roles in (usually) insurgency or counter insurgency.

Kawanishi N1K6 - 9 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

By 1963 the Kawanishi N1K2 had evolved into the N1K6-J Shinden-kai (the plant was run by and for Douglas but calling it a Kawanishi helped with the denial and pretence).  Nicknamed the "Lightraider" it had become an effective single seat attack aircraft.

Kawanishi N1K6 - 7 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

Outwardly similar to the wartime N1K2 the Lightraider was updated structurally in line with (then) modern construction methods.  Two AN/M3 20mm autocannon were mounted in each wing.
Powering the aircraft was a Wright R2190 Duplex Cyclone Junior producing 2300hp.

Kawanishi N1K6 - 3 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

A popular and tough aircraft, during the late Fifties and Sixties N1K6s could be seen operating (sometimes on both sides) in most of the bush wars where American interests were being challenged – SE Asia, Central and West Africa, Central America, Canada, and Palestine amongst others.  Some even continued to serve well into the Eighties until lack of spares forced their grounding.

Kawanishi N1K6 - 11 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

The aircraft pictured served with the Republic of Vietnam Airforce.  The RVNAF operated mixed squadrons of Lightraiders and Skyraiders.  The smaller, faster and more nimble Kawanishi complementing perfectly the heavier payload of the Douglas.
Following the fall of Saigon in 1970 the People's Democratic Republic of Vietnam (hmmm, that initialisation seems familiar...) gifted captured Lightraiders to the Front Populaire Canadien and thus the cycle was complete with this airframe ending it's days doing what it had originally been designed for – fighting Americans.

Kawanishi N1K6 - 18 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

The Model

Kawanishi N1K6 - 19 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

Hasegawa Kawanishi H1K2 Shinden-kai.
Canopy (possibly P51) and windscreen (unknown) from parts box.
Spinning prop built from unknown source parts box parts.
Weapons and tank from Academy A-37A.
Paint by Vallejo.
Transfers by the aftermarket.

[NARSES2]

That's come out really well Fred   

[frank2056]

That came out great! It really looks like a T-26 Trojan has a brief affair with a Shinden-kai. You've inspired me to try something similar with P-47 parts on a Shinden-Kai.

[zenrat]

Thanks folks.

[NARSES2]

That came out great! It really looks like a T-26 Trojan has a brief affair with a Shinden-kai.

Really does, doesn't it 

[buzzbomb]

Super good Fred.   

[Wardukw]

Light weight ground pounder this is . Love it Fred 😀 😍

[comrade harps]

That came out great! It really looks like a T-26 Trojan has a brief affair with a Shinden-kai.

Really does, doesn't it 

l keep seeing the Bearcat in this, which South Vietnam did use.

A build.

[zenrat]

Thanks folks.

[DogfighterZen]

Screaming "Lil' Skyraider" to me...   

[zenrat]

Hence "Lightraider".

Thanks mate.  Glad you like it.

[loupgarou]

Pretty little critter. You shoud pose it under the protective wing of a father Skyraider...

[Dizzyfugu]

Neat!