Kugisho P1Y1-S/P1Y2 Ginga (Frances) Type11/Type16 Night Fighter 1:72 Hasegawa 02481

Plastic model airplane for assembly: Kugisho P1Y1-S/P1Y2 Ginga (Frances) Type11/Type16 Night Fighter 1:72 Hasegawa 02481

The plastic model for assembly Kugisho P1Y1-S/P1Y2 Ginga (Frances) Type11/Type16 Night Fighter in 1:72 scale from the renowned company Hasegawa is an excellent proposition for modeling enthusiasts and aviation history buffs. This kit allows you to build a detailed model of a Japanese bomber from World War II, which was used by the Imperial Japanese Navy.

Model features:

• Scale: 1:72
• Catalog number: 02481
• Model length: 208 mm
• Model wingspan: 278 mm
• The kit includes plastic parts for assembly, including transparent parts and a decal sheet for markings.
• Option to choose between Type 11 and Type 16 versions.
• The kit includes metal parts for the 30 mm cannon for the Type 16 version and photo-etched radar elements for the Type 11 version.

History of the aircraft: The Yokosuka P1Y Ginga, also known by the codename “Frances” assigned by the Allies, is a twin-engine bomber designed by the naval technical facilities in Yokosuka. This aircraft was intended to be a successor to the Mitsubishi G4M and to meet the navy's requirements for speed, range, and the ability to carry bombs and torpedoes. Despite ambitious goals, the design of the P1Y was complicated, making production and servicing difficult. Problems with the Nakajima Homare engine led to its replacement with the Mitsubishi Kasei.

Combat use: The first combat use of the P1Y took place in August 1943. A total of 1002 units were produced, which were used by five air groups as medium bombers and torpedo bombers. These aircraft operated from airfields in China, Taiwan, the Marianas, the Philippines, the Ryukyu Islands, Shikoku, and Kyushu. By the end of the war, P1Ys were used as kamikaze aircraft, including during the Battle of Okinawa in Operation Tan No. 2.

The night fighter version, P1Y2-S Kyokko, was equipped with radar and a 20 mm cannon that could fire in a Schrage Musik configuration. A total of 97 units of this version were produced, but many were converted back to Ginga bombers due to operational issues at high altitudes against American B-29 bombers.

Technical specifications of the aircraft:

• Powerplant: 2 x Nakajima NK9C Homare 12 radial engines
• Power: 1825 HP
• Wingspan: 20 m
• Length: 15 m
• Height: 4.30 m
• Wing area: 55 m²
• Empty weight: 7265 kg
• Takeoff weight: 13,500 kg
• Maximum speed: 547 km/h at 5900 m
• Cruising speed: 370 km/h at 4000 m
• Ceiling: 9400 m
• Range: 5370 km
• Armament: 1 front-mounted Type 99 20 mm cannon, 1 dorsal Type 2 13 mm machine gun
• Additional equipment: 1000 kg of bombs or 1 torpedo weighing 800 kg

Kit for self-assembly and painting. Does not include paints or glue. For assembly, separately sold modeling tools are needed (including cutters, files, tweezers), paints, brushes, and plastic model glue (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement). The photo shows a professionally assembled and painted model.