Kyushu J7W Shinden

Towards the end of World War II the Japanese developed a canard fighter design which was the only such aircraft ever ordered into mass production. The machine was conceived in 1943 by Captain Masaoki Tsuruno, an Imperial Japanese Navy technical officer, who planned a jet -powered high-performance interceptor to counter the growing effectiveness of American air power in the Pacific.

Three glider prototypes were built by the Dai lchi Kaigun Koku Gijitsusho (First Naval Air Technical Arsenal). They performed well, so in 1944 the Kyushu Hikoki company was commissioned to finalize the interceptor design. The Kyushu J7W Shinden (Magnificent Lightning) was powered by the 2130-hp Mitsubishi MK9D radial engine mounted amidships driving a six-bladed pusher propeller through a long transmission shaft. It was armed with four 30-mm cannon and a projected maximum speed of 750 kph (466 mph) and a maximum operating altitude 0f 12,000 m (39,370 ft).

The Japanese Navy ordered the Shinden into mass production long before the first prototype was ready. Nakajinia and Kyushu tooled up for but the first prototype did not fly until 3 August 1945, 12 days before the Japanese surrender.

Speed: 466 mph
Range: 528 miles
Crew: 1
Armament: 4 x 30mm cannon
Bombload: 4 x 66 lb or 132 lb bombs