{"product_id":"tamiya-61084-1-48-nakajima-gekko-type-11-early-version-model-kit","title":"Tamiya #61084 - 1\/48 Nakajima Gekko Type 11 Early Version Model Kit","description":"\u003cp\u003eTamiya 61084 1\/48 Nakajima Night Fighter Gekko Type 11 Early Production (Irving)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe story of the Gekko’s development began when the Japanese Navy requested developent of a long-range fighter fast and maneuverable enough to oppose single-engine fighters. Nakajima proposed the Type 13-Shi Twin-Engine Land-Based Fighter (J1N1), which employed two 1000hp “Sakae” engines (same as Zero-Fighter engine) on its sturdy wings. Production was approved after the prototype was completed in March 1941, but in July 1942 its designation changed to Type 2 Land-Based Reconnaissance Aircraft. In May 1943, when the base of Rabaul in the Solomons came under the assault of noturnal raids from American B-17 bombers, a prototype equipped with two guns inclined to the front at a 30deg. angle was immediately deployed. During its first mission, the prototype downed two B-17. After reporting engagement results, many of the Type 2’s were equipped with four 20mm oblique guns and re-designated as the Gekko (moonlight in Japanese) Type 11, and production of the new plane began. Unlike the late production model, these first night guns were employed for anti-ship missions and ground attack missions but as the role of the Gekko was anti-bomber missions, these lower guns were later eliminated and replaced with an additional upper oblique gun. The later production also featured an additional nose-mounted radar. Whereas early production Gekko were sent to many places in the Pacific, late production models were used to defend Japanese main land, mostly against B-29 heavy bombers.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"RC Station \u0026 D3 Arena, Malaysia (wholesale only)","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45164547637427,"sku":"61084","price":108.5,"currency_code":"MYR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0570\/2293\/9315\/files\/69314f8bee6f9_1764839308.jpg?v=1764839830","url":"https:\/\/myrcstation.com\/products\/tamiya-61084-1-48-nakajima-gekko-type-11-early-version-model-kit","provider":"RC Station \u0026 D3 Arena, Malaysia (wholesale only)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}