More NARA photos today, this time of a Kawanishi N1K2-Ja "Shiden-kai" Model 21ko found at the end of the war in the Akishima factory of Showa Hikoki in Tokyo. It was sent there as a sample since Showa was going to start producing the type under licence from Kawanishi together with Mitsubishi and the 21st Navy Arsenal. Eventually Showa produced only two "Shiden-kai" by the end of the war. Note the Japanese built DC-3 in the background.
The original NARA caption is most interesting:
"Front view of the Shiden-kai fighter-bomber, Japanese copy of the P-47. Only two of this model were manufactured, one for the navy and the other for the army. Neither of them have been flown."
Excellent photos, especially the cowling, wheel well and landing gear details! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteBest regards,
Iskender
I really want to know if this is the same building where this Ki-83 photo was taken. I could not identify the aircraft behind it.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.flickr.com/photos/100937980@N02/16493711751/