Fujimi 1/72 Nakajima Type-2 J1N1-R Gekko

FUJIMI 1:72 NAKAJIMA TYPE-2 J1N1-R GEKKO
'INBOX Review'

Reviewer: Carlos Giani (carlos_giani2002@yahoo.de)

Aircraft: The Gekko (allied code: Irving) was developed as a requirement from the Japanese Navy for a supporting fighter which should have enough range to escort the bombers flying over Chinese territory. First flown in May 1941, it soon revealed itself as unqualified for the proposed mission, but it showed a big potential as a long-range reconnaissance plane with the addition of external tanks, being designated J1N1-C. After flight trials were completed successfully, it entered production as Type-2 Navy reconnaissance plane J1N1-R Gekko. Later, with some minor conversions and the addition of more firing power, it proved itself successfully as Japan's only real night fighter, being called J1N1-S.

Parts: The top-opening, sturdy box contains two sprues with 55 crisp, beautiful molded light grey parts, one sprue with 9 very clear transparencies and one bag with the decals. Inside the later is a further, smaller bag with five pieces of 0,6mm brass tube, which should provide alternative gun barrels (after some „surgery“). Panel lines are finely engraved, everything is flash-free and overall it has a very pleasing look about it.

The cockpit comprises a floor with side consoles, two simple seats, a control stick and an instrument panel. A further part, trapped within the fuselage halves, provides the radio operator with a little panel. All instruments are represented by well-detailed decals. The tail wheel has to be mounted between the fuselage halves before gluing them. Nearly two thirds of the fuselage upper section is an extra part (which is presented at one end of its sprue, beside the main frame), in which some glazing and at least six machine guns are located. I presume that this part will make it possible to produce some alternative versions with minimal modification. The instructions tell you to cut the plastic gun barrels and substitute them with brass tube, which also must be cut to the right length.

The wing is conventional three-piece, the two upper parts providing sturdy, well defined mounting holes for the landing gear struts. There are two parts to complete the engine nacelles on the lower wing (one each side), and a further machine gun finds its place in the ventral section, were also an observation glass is fixed. Each upper engine nacelle becomes two exhaust pipes, and the engine cowlings are one-piece. The engines are basic, but you won't see much between cowling and the propeller's hub. As in the Saiun kit, the main wheels are "flatted down". Each tail plane is one-piece.

Last, there are two antennas, one well door for each side, and one two-piece external fuel tank for each under wing's side, placed outside the engine nacelles. The transparencies include very tiny position lights and one little part placed at the fuselage's rear, just beneath the vertical fin.

I presume that the fit of all the parts will be fine, and I expect no building problems at all (except adding the brass barrels).

Note: I am a bit sceptical about the large amount of machine guns and cannons used in this kit, since the J1N1-R was a reconnaissance plane, not to be confused with the J1N1-S night fighter. It's recommended to check references.

Instructions: One paper sheet folded in four, both sides printed. History and technical data are in Japanese and English, and generic recommendations in those languages additional to German, Spanish, French and (I presume) Chinese. There is a sprues layout, table of symbols and construction in 8 easy-to-follow steps. External and detail colouring is given for Gunze and Mr. Color, with generic names (just a few FS codes).

Versions: Five versions can be built from this kit, all having the same two-tone camouflage pattern. Upper surfaces are sated as „black green FS 34077“, which has to made mixing two colours from the range listed, the result being a darker shade of IJN green. The under surfaces are painted in classical IJN grey. The versions are:

Navy Tainan Kokutai, Reconnaissance flight over Guadalcanal Oct. 14 1942, Rabaul A.B., New-Britain island.
Navy 151st Kokutai, April/May 1943, Rabaul A.B., New-Britain island.
Navy 251st Kokutai, May 21 1943 (shot down 2 B-17), Rabaul A.B., New-Britain island.
Navy 251st Kokutai, June 1943, Rabaul A.B., New-Britain island.
Navy 251st Kokutai, May/June 1953, Rabaul A.B., New-Britain island.

Decals: A bit thick, apparently printed by Fujimi, providing no stencilling.

Detail: Surface detail is excellent, as stated above. The cockpit and the wheel wells could accept some scratch-built framing, but otherwise very good „out-of –the-box“.

Options: No real options are provided, except building the model wheels-up.

Impressions: Very satisfying at first sight. I'm happy to have got this kit, since it is very difficult to get Japanese twin-engined WW2 subjects here (I've never seen a Hasegawa's Helen, Nick, Betty or Nell, i.e.). I'm sure this will work out to a very beautiful model.

Recommendations: Warmly recommended for each „gourmet“ and for IJN-fans. Maybe a bit too fine for the real beginner, although construction will sure be straight forward (you are not obliged to use the brass barrels).

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