Kyushu J7W Shinden

Template:Infobox Aircraft The Kyūshū J7W1 Shinden (震電, "Magnificent Lightning") fighter was a World War II Japanese propeller driven aircraft that was built in a canard design. The wings were attached to the tail section and stabilizers were on the front. The propeller was also in the rear, in a pusher configuration. It was expected to be a highly maneuverable interceptor, but only two were finished before the end of war. Plans were also drawn up for a jet-powered version (J7W2), but this never left the drawing board.

The J7W was developed for the Imperial Japanese Navy as a specific response to the B-29 Superfortress raids on the Japanese homeland. It was to be operated from land bases. The canard concept was tested first by building a number of gliders with this layout, designated MXY6.

The first prototype, which was the only one that flew, is currently stored at the National Air and Space Museum.

Rendered J7W1 from several angles

The Shinden in popular culture

• The Shinden appears in the popular manga Oh My Goddess!, in the video games Heroes of the Pacific, Sky Odyssey, Wing Arms, Iron Aces, Blazing Angels 2: Secret Missions of WWII, and in the shmup series Strikers 1945. A J7W also appears in Freedom Wings DS. Both J7W1 and J7W2 were present in Pacific Storm.
• A J7W1 girl was included in the first Mecha Musume release by Konami.

Specifications (J7W1)

General characteristics

• Crew: one, pilot

Performance Armament

• 4 × 30 mm Type 5 cannon
• Up to 120 kg (264 lb) bombload

References

Bibliography

• Green, William. Warplanes of the Second World War, Volume Three: Fighters. London: Macdonald & Co. (Publishers) Ltd., 1961 (seventh impression 1973). ISBN 0-356-01447-9.

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era Saab 21 - XP-55 Ascender - Henschel P.75 - Dornier Do 335 - Miles Libellula