Prior to WWII, Japanese interests ranged from the Indian Ocean to almost the entire area of the Pacific. The Japanese Navy required a long-range flying boat to service this vast area and they were using the Type 97. In 1938 the Imperial Navy requested Kawanishi Industries to begin design of a new flying boat. Specifications included a speed of 296 km/hour or better, the ability to carry 800-1000kg of bombs, depth charges or torpedoes, and be able to maintain level flight with only two of its four engines running. In addition they wanted a range of 7400km for recon or 6500 when used for attack. These were stiff requirements for the times, so the new design called for a smaller airframe to increase range. It was a high-wing, four-engined, all-metal stress-skinned airframe, with a new combination flap for slow speed landings. More maneuverable than the Type 97 it replaced, it met or exceeded all design specifications. The prototype was completed in December 1940 and first flew the following day. It was officially adopted only one year after it flew, and was assigned to first line squadrons in March 1942. Its long range allowed an early version to make several recon flights over the Hawaiian Islands prior to the Pearl Harbor attack on December 8, 1941.
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Product Details:
Scale: 1/72
Skill Level: 3
Length: 16.1”
Wingspan: 20.8”
Parts: 283
- Painting and assembly required
- 23 sprues
- Clear parts
- Includes bombs and torpedoes
- Molded in grey plastic
- Waist guns mount can be assembled in storage or expanded condition
- One decal sheet
- Paint mask stickers
- Detailed long distance radio and aerial masts
- Includes ten crew figures
- Illustrated instructions and paint guide
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Paint Guide:
A. (T-31) Takuma Naval Flying Group
Red
Silver
Gold
Copper
Neutral Grey
Sandy Brown
Dark Earth
Dark Green or Cockpit Color (Mitsubishi) or Cockpit Color (Nakajima)
Steel
Flat Base
Flat Black
Red Brown
Mahogany
Wood Brown
Tan
Flesh
Burnt Iron
Flat White
Bright Blue
Semi-Gloss Black
Dark Green (Mitsubishi) or Dark Green (Kawanishi)
Propeller Color
Tire Black
Optional – Red (Japanese Navy Marking)
B. (N1-26) 802nd Naval Flying Group
Silver
Gold
Copper
Neutral Grey
Sandy Brown
Dark Earth
Dark Green or Cockpit Color (Mitsubishi) or Cockpit Color (Nakajima)
Steel
Flat Base
Flat Black
Red Brown
Mahogany
Wood Brown
Tan
Flesh
Burnt Iron
Flat White
Bright Blue
Semi-Gloss Black
Dark Green (Mitsubishi) or Dark Green (Kawanishi)
Propeller Color
Tire Black
C. (801-86) 801st Naval Flying Group
Red
Silver
Gold
Copper
Neutral Grey
Sandy Brown
Dark Earth
Dark Green or Cockpit Color (Mitsubishi) or Cockpit Color (Nakajima)
Steel
Flat Base
Flat Black
Red Brown
Mahogany
Wood Brown
Tan
Clear Red
Flesh
Burnt Iron
Flat White
Bright Blue
Semi-Gloss Black
Dark Green (Mitsubishi) or Dark Green (Kawanishi)
Propeller Color
Tire Black
Clear Green
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