Kyushu J7W "Shinden" Test Flight pt.1 - video

The video today features the first prototype of one of the most unique Japanese aircraft ever produced, the Kyushu J7W "Shinden", during taxiing tests.

The original 8mm film was shot by Engineer Kiyohara Kunitake, an 8mm film enthusiast who, at the time, served as Deputy Chief of the First Design Section at Kyushu Aircraft and oversaw the aircraft’s equipment, piloting, functions, powerplant, and armament teams. It was developed after the war, the image quality is not very good and yet it is a most valuable record of this rare aircraft type.

The location is Mushiroda Airfield in Fukuoka. The airport was built in 1944 by the IJAAF and was named Mushiroda Airfield. After the war, the United States Air Force used the airfield as Itazuke Air Base from 1945 to 1972. Today it is called Fukuoka Airport, the principal airport on the island of Kyushu and the fourth busiest passenger airport in Japan.

The exact date is unknown but most sources mention that these taxiing tests were conducted in late July 1945.

After being transported to the runway and purified by a Shinto priest, the president of the Kyushu Hikoki, the Chief Designer LCDR Tsuruno Masayoshi performed a ritual offering of sacred branches. The engine was then started, and the taxiing test finally began. An Army Type 100 Reconnaissance Aircraft Model 3 can be seen in the rear left.

Below are some captions from the old blue FAOW explaining what we see in the clip.

Before the test run began, LCDR TSuruno, wearing a Navy cap, took the pilot’s seat himself to check the engine’s condition. This first prototype was finally completed shortly after June 10 and transported to Mushiroda Airfield on the 15th; however, modifications and maintenance to the radiator and hydraulic systems took a full month, and the final inspection was conducted in mid-July inside the tunnel hangar at Mushiroda.

A view from the front during the engine test run. The Mitsubishi Ha-43 Model 12 engine, with a takeoff power of 2,030 hp (2,900 rpm), rotates powerfully, emitting a distinctive, piercing roar. Because the cockpit is high off the ground, a long ladder was placed against the No. 1 prototype; a boarding mechanism allowing for quick entry was scheduled to be installed before mass production began.

The taxiing test is about to begin. LCDR Tsuruno, with a tense expression, is about to enter the cockpit. The antenna mast protruding from the right side of the nose is for the Type 3 Ku-1 radio telephone. There is another one below the front windshield of the cockpit. 

A view from the front-left just before the taxi test. With the engine at full throttle, the shadow of the 6-bladed propeller, 3.400 m in diameter, is clearly visible. The designers and prototype development staff watch over the scene.

The first prototype of the "Shinden", piloted by Major Tsuruno, took off in a cloud of dust, but just as it seemed the nose was lifting slightly near the north end of the runway, the aircraft spun halfway around and came to a stop. It is shown here taxiing back a short while later. 

Upon shutting down the engine and inspecting the aircraft, it was found that the tip of the propeller had bent about 50 cm. This was caused by the nose rising too high during the run, causing the propeller to strike the ground. Afterward, the tail wheels from Kyushu K11W "Shiragiku" were temporarily attached to the underside of the wing. 

The propeller was replaced with one intended for the second prototype, and the “first flight” took place on August 3 which we will see in the following post.

Aichi E13A "Jake", Tateyama Kokutai

Our friend Danny Jackett notified us of an interesting photo he spotted on the net, so we paired it with another featuring the same Aichi E13A "Jake" seaplanes found at the end of the war at Tateyama. They actually belong to the Tateyama Kokutai, as indicated by the katakana "タ-" (TA-) on the tail. 

Tateyama Kokutai was one of the oldest IJNAF units, organized on June 1, 1930, in Tateyama, Chiba Prefecture, to ease the congestion of Yokosuka Ku and to protect Tokyo Bay, as well as the areas near the coastline of East Japan. It could operate land-based aircraft and seaplanes, and when established, it had in its strength carrier fighters, carrier attackers, reconnaissance seaplanes, and flying boats; eight of each. It was nicknamed "Tateku." On December 15, 1944, all the Eastern Japan patrol kokutai, including Tateyama Ku, were merged into the 903 Ku. A second Tateyama Ku was organized on May 15, 1945, with carrier attack-bombers and patrol seaplanes.

Mitsubishi G4M "Betty", 705 Kokutai, New Georgia

A set of photos features a Mitsubishi G4M1 Model 11 "Betty" found wrecked and abandoned in New Georgia belonging to the 705 Kokutai as the tail marking "336" indicates.

The unit was originally called Misawa Kokutai but on November 1, 1942,...(unit history relative to the photos, from Wiki)

...was redesignated to 705th Kokutai (Air Group). 

On 11 November, newly promoted Lieutenant Commander Nakamura led 16 torpedo-armed bombers against the enemy ships around Guadalcanal. They were intercepted by 16 Wildcat and eight Bell P-39 Airacobra fighters and in combination with AA fire from the ships, they shot down 11 medium bombers, while the rest returned severely damaged. This put an end to further raids by medium bombers against Guadalcanal. 

On 29 January 1943, 705Ku was involved in the Battle of Rennell Island. Lieutenant Commander Nakamura led 16 torpedo-armed bombers against the enemy ships spotted near Rennell Island. They scored no hits and in return lost one bomber, however, subsequent attacks by other air groups managed to sink the cruiser Chicago. 

On 12 April, the unit participated in Operation I-Go, where Lieutenant Commander Nakamura led 27 bombers against Port Moresby. 

Two days later, they also participated in a raid against Milne Bay. The unit continued to be involved in the Solomon Islands campaign until 5 September, when it was withdrawn to Tinian.

Mitsubishi G3M "Nell", 901 Kokutai, Okinawa - video

Here's the material on Dan's exquisite "Nell" model featured in the previous post. 

Inferior quality but color (NOT colorized) short video. The "KEA-395" indicates that it belonged to the 901 Kokutai. 

The unit was organized on December 15, 1943, at Tateyama for patrol and ship escort missions. In the beginning it was equipped with 24 "Nell" and 12 "Mavis" flying boats. Later it received a variety of types and in May 1945 the unit had no less than 212 planes. 

In the middle of June 1944 the 901Ku moved to Donggang, Pingtung County, Taiwan, and then to Maizuru, Kyoto Prefecture where they sent various dispatch units to different locations. The main mission of the unit was sea patrol and the protection of the south-west ship routes.

On January 1, 1945, it merged with the 254Ku, 953Ku and 954Ku and on March 1, 1945, the unit had 24 carrier fighters, 24 interceptors, 24 carrier attackers, 24 "Nell" and "Betty" bombers, 64 "Jake" floatplanes, 40 Kyushu Q1W "Tokai" and 12 flying boats. On June 1, the unit had a mixed force of 12 carrier fighters, 12 "Nell" and "Betty", 80 "Jake" and 42 "Tokai".

Note the "letter" "C" on the fuselage side of the"Nell". It is actually not a letter but a marking to help the aircraft equipped with "Jikitanshiki" (MAD anti-submarine equipment) to align themselves in a submarine hunting formation. 

A color, (NOT colorized) photo of the Mitsubishi G3M "Nell", 901 Kokutai, Okinawa

Mitsubishi G3M "Nell" in 1/48 by Dan Salamone

I spent the past 4 months working on the Koster Nell kit. I bought it brand new in 2006, started it in 2021 and made a little progress, but restarted in late December 2025.

Tamiya acrylics, weathered with oils and AK pencils. Kit is vacform, with white metal and resin parts. I used a 500kg bomb from Ushi and the dorsal cannon is from Quinta, both 3D printed. Kit hinomaru, tail codes from generic sheets and the 901st Ku tail stripes were painted.

Main reference was FAOW #109, but also found online images of the actual aircraft in a wrecked state at Okinawa.

The kit itself was superb, and is my first full vacform kit completion.

- Dan Salamone -