The Kyūshū J7W1 Shinden (震電, "Magnificent Lightning") fighter was a World War II Japanese propeller-driven aircraft prototype 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, in a pusher configuration. General characteristics Crew: one, pilot 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) Empty weight: 3,645 kg (8,019 lb) Loaded weight: 4,928 kg (10,841 lb) Max. takeoff weight: 5,288 kg (11,663 lb) Powerplant: 1 × Mitsubishi Ha-43 12 (MK9D) 18 cylinder air-cooled radial engine, 1,589 kW (2,130 hp) Performance Maximum speed: 750 km/h (469 mph) Range: 850 km (531 miles) Service ceiling: 12,000 m (39,360 ft) Rate of climb: 750 m/min (2,460 ft/min) Wing loading: 240.4 kg/m2 (49.1 lb/ft2) Power/mass: 0.32 kW/kg (0.20 hp/lb) Developed by the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) as a short-range, land-based interceptor, the J7W was a response to B-29 Superfortress raids on the Japanese home islands. For interception missions, the J7W was to be armed with four forward-firing 30 mm cannons in the nose. The Shinden was expected to be a highly maneuverable interceptor, but only two prototypes were finished before the end of war. Building a gas turbine--powered version was considered but never even reached the drawing board.

• published: 05 Sep 2013
• views: 80