Last summer I started work on Hasagawa’s 1/48 J7W1 Shinden. It had long been one of my favorite airplanes. The canard wings, rear-mounted engine and twin rudders gave it an almost “Star War-ish” appearance. Well, I had a little accident involving a too close and too hot lamp and its proximity to the Shinden. Gee that plastic got soft! Not to be deterred, I embarked on my first conversion. Research revealed that Japanese designers had intended jet-power for the Shinden when suitable powerplants became available. My version would portray a production model circa '46-'47. I gotta tell you, I had rarely felt such excitement over a build; something about “what if” history and the creation of a plane that never existed beyond the designer’s feverish dreams anyway. First step was the addition of the jet exhaust. Then I shortened and reconfigured the rudders. No longer needing the extreme ground clearance necessitated by the large prop, I lowered the landing gear which also required relocating them inboard a bit. Then I modified a P-47 bubbletop canopy and modified the cockpit area to fit it. I deleted the large, side-mounted oil cooler inlets and added a couple rear facing scoops. The finished plane will have a centerline-mounted drop tank and will probably be dark green mottling(heavily weathered) over NMF; with a squadron identifier nose color. I’m sorry for the lengthy post but I felt some background was in order. These pics are all I have now; more will be forthcoming when construction commences again. Hasegawa’s 1/72 version of this jet is designated J7W2 and it retains most of the original design. Since mine has seen so much surgery, I’ve taken the liberty of calling it the J7W2 type B. Here we go:
very nice build. look forward to seeing it finished.
joe
[#ditto][#ditto]
Too cool!
Only a brave man would attempt that conversion - it looks to coming along nicely.
Good Luck, and keep us posted!!!
Interesting project!
Looking forward to seeing it finished!
Looking good so far.
Thanks for the encouragement everyone. As a teacher with 10 weeks off each summer, I try to do some modeling then(it’s usually too damn hot to be outside anyway,lol) and work it in when I can while working through the school year. I just recently stuck the landing gear back on with some white glue to take those pics. Since then I’ve polished the canopy and I’m waiting on finishing my CO2 setup so the project can continue. I’m planning on hinging the rear half of the canopy so that it pivots upward. If that doesn’t work, she’ll lift from the starboard side I guess. I realize that my intended paint scheme is more appropriate for Japanese Army aircraft but I don’t care. This is “what if?” you know? Hey a little artistic license is OK now and then; especially in this murky realm. Who’s to say that the IJN wouldn’t “share” an innovative interceptor with the Army? Any advice or suggestions is always welcome. later, Gary.
that thing is going to be sweet. definately post some pics when you’re done.[:D]