1/72 Nakajima J1N1-S Gekko Late

The Nakajima J1N1-S Gekko (Allied code name "Irving") was a Japanese twin-engine aircraft that underwent a remarkable evolution from its original conceptual intent to the role of a night fighter. It was initially designed as a long escort for bombers, but in practice proved not to be entirely suitable for this role. The situation changed when Commander 251. Lt. Yasuna Kozono improvised a few modifications to the aircraft by adding a slantedmachine guns to the fuselage - the so-called "schräge Musik" (slanted music) configuration, which was later used independently by the Germans. This modification made it possible to attack enemy bombers from below, out of range of their defensive fire. The Gekko thus became one of the first dedicated night fighters of the Imperial Japaneseand in this role achieved a number of successes against American B-24 and B-17 bombers over the Pacific.

The J1N1-S "Late" version represents a later production run with improvements and modifications gained from combat experience. The aircraft was equipped with radar, slant guns and a crew of two (pilot and radar operator/navigator). The Gekko is of interest to modellers for its distinctive silhouette with a long fuselage, twin Nakajima Sakae engines and typical Japanese camouflage paintwork of dark green with grey highlights.

The kit from Hobby 2000 uses quality moulds from the Japanese company Fujimi, which are known for their precision workmanship and good detail. It comes with a decal sheet from Italian company Cartograf, which is one of the top in the industry - the decals feature a thin carrier film, crisp printing and easy application. The package also includes a masking kit (masks), which facilitates painting of transparent parts (cabin, windows) and helps to achieve clean edges without paint overflow. This combination makes the kit a convenient choice for modelers who want to build a Gekko with a minimum of additional investment in accessories.

The 1:72 scale is popular for aerial models - it provides plenty of room for detailing, while not requiring too large an area for display. The Gekko offers highlighting of paneling, engine cowling operational wear, exhaust fouling, and fine cockpit detail. The package does not include the paint or adhesives needed for assembly.