| Kyushu J7W1 Shinden
|
|
| Description
|
| Role | Fighter
|
| Crew | 1
|
| First Flight | August 3 1945
|
| Manufacturer | Kyushu Hikoki
|
| Dimensions
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| Length | 9.66 m | 31 ft 8 in
|
| Wingspan | 11.11 m | 36 ft 5 in
|
| Height | 3.92 m | 12 ft 10 in
|
| Wing area | 20.5 m² | 220 ft²
|
| Weights
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| Empty | 3,645 kg | 8,019 lb
|
| Loaded | 4,928 kg | 10,841 lb
|
| Maximum takeoff | 5,288 kg | 11,663 lb
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| Powerplant
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| Engines | 1x Mitsubishi Ha-43 12
|
| Power | 1,589 kW | 2,130 hp
|
| Performance
|
| Maximum speed | 750 km/h | 469 mph
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| Range | 850 km | 531 miles
|
| Service ceiling | 12,000 m | 39,360 ft
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| Rate of climb | 750 m/min | 2,460/min
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| Wing loading | 240 kg/m² | 49lb/ft²
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| Power/Mass | 0.32 kW/kg | 0.20 hp/lb
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| Avionics
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| Avionics |
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| Armament
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| Guns | 4x 30 mm Type 5 cannon
|
| Bombs | Up to 120 kg (264 lb)
|
The Kyushu 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. It was expected to be a highly manuverable 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.