Difference between revisions of "J7W1"
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− | {{Specs-Card|code=j7w1}} | + | {{Specs-Card |
+ | |code=j7w1 | ||
+ | |images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}} | ||
+ | }} | ||
== Description == | == Description == | ||
− | <!--''In the description, the first part | + | <!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' --> |
+ | The '''J7W1''', designated as '''Shinden ({{Annotation|震電|Magnificent Lightning}})''', was a prototype fighter plane featuring a distinctive design with wings positioned at the rear of the fuselage, a nose-mounted canard, and a pusher engine. Development was led by Masayoshi Tsuruno, beginning in 1942-43, with the aim of creating a high-speed {{Annotation|400 kn|740 km/h; 460 mph}} canard-type aircraft. This design aimed to maximize fuselage space by relocating the engine and pilot to the rear of the plane, thus allowing for more armament to be concentrated in the nose. As Japan's wartime situation deteriorated, the focus of the J7W1's development shifted from being a general fighter to a high-altitude interceptor. This change was driven by the increasing threat posed by American high-altitude bombing raids conducted by [[B-24/PB4Y (Family)|B-24s]] and [[B-29A-BN|B-29s]]. Despite its innovative design and potential, the J7W1 saw only limited production and testing. Only two prototypes were completed before Japan's surrender, preventing the aircraft from being deployed in combat. | ||
− | [[ | + | It was introduced in [[Update 1.43]]. The Shinden is a bomber interceptor designed to make quick work of raiding bomber aircraft. It has exceptional armament, although with a very limited amount of ammunition, and is best-used in [[Boom & Zoom]] attacks, but any manoeuvring will cost it a huge loss of energy, making it essentially a sitting duck. Her biggest enemies are a single-engine airplanes, most of which can outcompete her in nearly every way. She should be flown more like a twin-engine bomber interceptor, and avoid engaging in any confrontation that involve 1 vs 1 dogfighting. |
− | |||
− | |||
== General info == | == General info == | ||
− | === Flight | + | === Flight performance === |
− | ''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. | + | {{Specs-Avia-Flight}} |
+ | <!-- ''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.'' --> | ||
+ | The J7W1 Shinden has a maximum speed of 892 km/h (558 mph/485 kt) IAS (this is Vne speed - the absolute maximum speed). In a dive from service ceiling, a speed of mach 0.9 has been recorded and is sustained until IAS speed limit is reached. The aircraft can handle a max load of 11G and compresses rudder, pitch and roll at extremely high IAS speed in order of descending effect. | ||
− | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | + | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%" |
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
|- | |- | ||
+ | ! rowspan="2" |Characteristics | ||
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 8,500 m) | ! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 8,500 m) | ||
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(meters) | ! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(meters) | ||
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds) | ! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds) | ||
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(meters/second) | ! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(meters/second) | ||
− | ! rowspan="2" |Take-off run<br>(meters) | + | ! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(meters) |
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
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|- | |- | ||
− | ! | + | ! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB |
− | ! | ||
− | ! | ||
− | ! | ||
− | ! | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | ! | + | !Stock |
− | + | | 723 || 703 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 31.5 || 32.2 || 15.3 || 15.3 || rowspan="2" | 650 | |
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | !Upgraded |
+ | | 779 || 750 || 28.6 || 30.0 || 23.0 || 18.6 | ||
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
− | ====Details==== | + | ==== Details ==== |
− | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | + | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%" |
|- | |- | ||
! colspan="5" | Features | ! colspan="5" | Features | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | ! Combat | + | ! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear |
− | ! Take-off | ||
− | ! Landing | ||
− | ! Air brakes | ||
− | ! Arrestor gear | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | | ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || X <!-- ✓ --> |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
− | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | + | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%" |
|- | |- | ||
− | ! colspan=" | + | ! colspan="7" | Limits |
|- | |- | ||
− | ! rowspan="2" | | + | ! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h) |
− | ! rowspan="2" | Gear | + | ! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h) |
− | ! | + | ! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h) |
! colspan="2" | Max Static G | ! colspan="2" | Max Static G | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | ! + | + | ! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! - |
− | ! - | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | {{Specs| | + | | {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 498 || 469 || 320 || ~8 || ~6 |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
Line 85: | Line 63: | ||
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | ! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities | + | ! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h) |
|- | |- | ||
− | ! Ailerons | + | ! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator |
− | ! Rudder | ||
− | ! Elevators | ||
− | ! Radiator | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | < | + | | < 563 || < 560 || < 560 || > 314 |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
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! WEP Engine power | ! WEP Engine power | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | | 8,400 m || 1,660 hp || 1,942 hp |
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|} | |} | ||
+ | [[File:J7W1 vario over altitude.png|thumb|]] | ||
+ | [[File:J7w1 power - altitude envelope.png|thumb]] | ||
=== Survivability and armour === | === Survivability and armour === | ||
− | ''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured. Describe the armour, if there is any, also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.'' | + | {{Specs-Avia-Armour}} |
+ | <!-- ''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.'' --> | ||
+ | |||
+ | * 70 mm Bulletproof glass - Armoured windscreen | ||
+ | * 16 mm Steel plate in the nose, in front of ammo boxes and pilot | ||
+ | |||
+ | The J7W1 is protected by armour glass (70 mm) in front of pilot and steel armour plate (16 mm) in front of pilot in between guns, which are ineffective against cannons found in this BR range. It is very prone to fires, and which are difficult to extinguish. Engine snipes are common, due to the position and large size of the engine. Wing tip damage can increase the likelyhood of unrecoverable flat spins. | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Modifications and economy === | ||
+ | {{Specs-Economy}} | ||
== Armaments == | == Armaments == | ||
+ | {{Specs-Avia-Armaments}} | ||
=== Offensive armament === | === Offensive armament === | ||
− | <!--''Describe the offensive armament of the aircraft, if any. Describe how effective the cannons and machine guns are in a battle, and also what belts or drums are better to use. If there is no offensive weaponry, delete this subsection.''--> | + | {{Specs-Avia-Offensive}} |
+ | <!-- ''Describe the offensive armament of the aircraft, if any. Describe how effective the cannons and machine guns are in a battle, and also what belts or drums are better to use. If there is no offensive weaponry, delete this subsection.'' --> | ||
{{main|Type 5 navy (30 mm)}} | {{main|Type 5 navy (30 mm)}} | ||
The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with: | The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with: | ||
− | * 4 x 30 mm Type 5 navy cannons (60 rpg = 240 total) | + | * 4 x 30 mm Type 5 navy cannons, nose-mounted (60 rpg = 240 total) |
=== Suspended armament === | === Suspended armament === | ||
− | <!--''Describe the aircraft's suspended armament: additional cannons under the wings, bombs, rockets and torpedoes. This section is especially important for bombers and attackers. If there is no suspended weaponry remove this subsection.''--> | + | {{Specs-Avia-Suspended}} |
+ | <!-- ''Describe the aircraft's suspended armament: additional cannons under the wings, bombs, rockets and torpedoes. This section is especially important for bombers and attackers. If there is no suspended weaponry remove this subsection.'' --> | ||
{{main|Navy Type 97 Number 6 (60 kg)}} | {{main|Navy Type 97 Number 6 (60 kg)}} | ||
− | The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following | + | The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance: |
* Without load | * Without load | ||
Line 149: | Line 122: | ||
== Usage in battles == | == Usage in battles == | ||
− | ''Describe the tactics of playing in | + | <!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' --> |
− | ===Manual Engine Control=== | + | The Shinden is a quick, pusher prop aircraft that excels in keeping its energy up after diving from a high altitude. It is able to climb up to a nice altitude above its opponents and strafe enemies either with a boom-and-zoom or hit-and-run strategy. The Shinden sports four excellent 30 mm guns mounted in the nose making it infamous for its head-on capabilities as they are easy to get on target but require a bit of aim control as the guns have low muzzle velocity, as long as you keep your speed high you will become a big threat to the enemy team. The Shinden is able to outrun a myriad of aircraft at its BR with some exceptions being the [[F8F-1B]] and the [[Spitfire F Mk XIVe]] as they have more powerful engines. Enemy bombers such as the [[B-17G-60-VE]] are optimal targets as your main weapons are able to quickly rip through the bombers armour, heavy fighters such as the [[F7F-1]] or the [[Hornet Mk.III]] are targets you may often see at your altitude and make for great prey as they are large and aren't as agile as single-engine fighters. As a Shinden pilot, it is unwise to let the enemy get onto your six o'clock as you aren't likely to shake them with your poor manoeuvrability and the Shinden's engine is mounted in the rear of the plane, meaning any enemy behind you can quickly take you out of the fight just with a few hits to the engine. Like a majority of the Japanese planes, the Shinden lacks any armour to reliable stop bullets from damaging it, however there is a piece of bulletproof glass in the front of the planes cockpit that is 70 mm thick as well as a 16 mm steel plate in the nose, making head-ons a reliable way to kill enemy aircraft as you do not have to worry about enemy bullets hitting your engine. It is highly recommended to avoid participating in dogfights in the Shinden as almost any single prop fighter at its BR will be able to outturn it so it's ideal to stick to energy fighting. The Shinden also has access to 60 kg bombs that can destroy lightly-armoured targets in mixed battles. |
+ | |||
+ | In Simulator Battles the Shinden is one of a few planes which gain the ability to preform a "Cobra" manoeuvre and also has the ability to throttle the fuel mixture throttle down enough to kill the engine and stop most engine fires and even some fuel tank fires that it is prone to receiving. Bring the Tracer Belt in most scenarios as all the other belts have practice rounds. | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Manual Engine Control === | ||
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||
|- | |- | ||
! colspan="7" | MEC elements | ! colspan="7" | MEC elements | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | ! rowspan="2" |Mixer | + | ! rowspan="2" | Mixer |
− | ! rowspan="2" |Pitch | + | ! rowspan="2" | Pitch |
− | ! colspan="3" |Radiator | + | ! colspan="3" | Radiator |
− | ! rowspan="2" |Supercharger | + | ! rowspan="2" | Supercharger |
− | ! rowspan="2" |Turbocharger | + | ! rowspan="2" | Turbocharger |
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|- | |- | ||
− | + | ! Oil !! Water !! Type | |
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|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | | Controllable || Controllable<br>Auto control available || Not controllable<br>Not auto controlled || Controllable<br>Auto control available || Combined || Not controllable<br>1 gear || Not controllable |
− | | | ||
− | | | ||
− | | | ||
− | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
=== Pros and cons === | === Pros and cons === | ||
− | '' | + | <!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' --> |
'''Pros:''' | '''Pros:''' | ||
− | * | + | |
+ | * Exceptional burst mass of 4 x 30 mm cannons | ||
+ | * Very good pitch response | ||
+ | * Good handling in a dive | ||
+ | * Pilot has some protection in the back from the engine | ||
'''Cons:''' | '''Cons:''' | ||
− | * | + | |
+ | * Has one of the slowest sustained turn rates of its aircraft type in its battle rating | ||
+ | * High speed rudder suffers some compression | ||
+ | * Pilot more exposed at the front. | ||
+ | * Since the engine is located in the rear, it is especially vulnerable to enemies behind it | ||
+ | * Shots to the front may damage its "tail" flaps | ||
+ | * Fuel tanks are easily flammable and do not fully self-seal | ||
+ | * It's very likely that stalls will be fatal even with unscratched machine | ||
+ | * Combat flaps are usable only in a low speeds and cause the plane to pitch nose-down | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
− | ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too | + | <!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' --> |
+ | The J7W1 Shinden (震電, "Magnificent Lightning") was an Imperial Japanese fighter of WWII that was built near the end of the war in an attempted response to the American B-29 Superfortress bombers. The aircraft used a canard wing formation, (canard wing formation refers to how the main wings are mounted at the rear of the fuselage and smaller wings are placed at the front. Similar to the Curtiss-Wright XP-55 Ascender.) Like the Ascender, the J7W1 was never put into mass-production and was abandoned while still in the prototype stage.<ref>"Kyushu J7W1 Shinden (Magnificent Lightning)." ''National Air and Space Museum'', 18 Apr. 2019, airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/kyushu-j7w1-shinden-magnificent-lightning.</ref> | ||
+ | |||
+ | Developed with the intention of intercepting heavy bombers, it was given 4 nose-mounted 30 mm cannons. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Development of the aircraft began in 1944, but shortages of manufacturing supplies continued to delay its development and testing and the first prototype wasn't completed until April 1945. The Navy placed high hopes in the new model and it was originally hoped that the Kyushu's Zasshonokuma factory and Nakajima's Handa plant would be able to produce over a thousand of the aircraft by 1947. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The prototype first flew on 3 August 1945 from Itazuke Air Base. The plane flew a total of three times, each time as a test flight before it was grounded permanently due to the Japanese surrender and end of the war. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Various parts of the Shinden survived the end of the war and its fuselage can be seen at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC.<ref>"Kyushu J7W1/2 'Shinden.'" ''Kyushu J7W1/2 - Shinden'', tanks45.tripod.com/Jets45/Histories/Shinden/Shinden.htm.</ref> | ||
== Media == | == Media == | ||
− | '' | + | <!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' --> |
+ | |||
+ | ;Skins | ||
+ | |||
+ | * [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=j7w1 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.] | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{Skin-gallery | ||
+ | |market|J7W1 "The Shark"|J7W1 'The Shark'.jpg|Camo "J7W1 'The Shark'" | ||
+ | |market|ugcitem_1000623|J7W1 '418'.png|Camo "J7W1 '418' in training livery" | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | |||
+ | ;Videos | ||
+ | {{Youtube-gallery|INb9VjLxKf0|'''Most unusual aircraft''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 4:25 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''|6Cyq6xsiD70|'''(Arcade): {{PAGENAME}} Shinden - Magnificent Lightning''' - ''tx141TX''|yYMCtg6qa40|'''War Thunder Sub's Choice Ep 39: {{PAGENAME}}''' - ''Jengar''|fphmndESyNU|'''The Shooting Range #60''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 07:06 discusses the J7W1.|ivvxWCdqgqs|'''Intercept the B-29・Phantom Fighter Shinden (J7W Interview)''' - EN Subtitles}} | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
− | ''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:'' | + | <!-- ''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:'' |
* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;'' | * ''reference to the series of the aircraft;'' | ||
− | * ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' | + | * ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' --> |
+ | |||
+ | ;Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era | ||
+ | |||
+ | * [[XP-55]] | ||
+ | * [[J21 (Family)]] | ||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
− | ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:'' | + | <!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:'' |
* ''topic on the official game forum;'' | * ''topic on the official game forum;'' | ||
− | * '' | + | * ''other literature.'' --> |
− | * | + | |
+ | * [[wt:en/news/4548-profile-j7w1-shinden-the-magnificent-lightning-en|[Profile] J7W1 Shinden - The magnificent lightning]] | ||
+ | * [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/202472-kyushu-j7w1/ [Forum<nowiki>]</nowiki> Aircraft Datasheet] | ||
+ | * [[wikipedia:Kyushu_J7W|[Wikipedia] Kyushu J7W]] | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===References=== | ||
+ | <references /> | ||
+ | {{AirManufacturer Kyushu}} | ||
{{Japan fighters}} | {{Japan fighters}} |
Latest revision as of 16:53, 6 November 2024
Contents
Description
The J7W1, designated as Shinden (震電), was a prototype fighter plane featuring a distinctive design with wings positioned at the rear of the fuselage, a nose-mounted canard, and a pusher engine. Development was led by Masayoshi Tsuruno, beginning in 1942-43, with the aim of creating a high-speed 400 kn canard-type aircraft. This design aimed to maximize fuselage space by relocating the engine and pilot to the rear of the plane, thus allowing for more armament to be concentrated in the nose. As Japan's wartime situation deteriorated, the focus of the J7W1's development shifted from being a general fighter to a high-altitude interceptor. This change was driven by the increasing threat posed by American high-altitude bombing raids conducted by B-24s and B-29s. Despite its innovative design and potential, the J7W1 saw only limited production and testing. Only two prototypes were completed before Japan's surrender, preventing the aircraft from being deployed in combat.
It was introduced in Update 1.43. The Shinden is a bomber interceptor designed to make quick work of raiding bomber aircraft. It has exceptional armament, although with a very limited amount of ammunition, and is best-used in Boom & Zoom attacks, but any manoeuvring will cost it a huge loss of energy, making it essentially a sitting duck. Her biggest enemies are a single-engine airplanes, most of which can outcompete her in nearly every way. She should be flown more like a twin-engine bomber interceptor, and avoid engaging in any confrontation that involve 1 vs 1 dogfighting.
General info
Flight performance
The J7W1 Shinden has a maximum speed of 892 km/h (558 mph/485 kt) IAS (this is Vne speed - the absolute maximum speed). In a dive from service ceiling, a speed of mach 0.9 has been recorded and is sustained until IAS speed limit is reached. The aircraft can handle a max load of 11G and compresses rudder, pitch and roll at extremely high IAS speed in order of descending effect.
Characteristics | Max Speed (km/h at 8,500 m) |
Max altitude (meters) |
Turn time (seconds) |
Rate of climb (meters/second) |
Take-off run (meters) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AB | RB | AB | RB | AB | RB | |||
Stock | 723 | 703 | 12500 | 31.5 | 32.2 | 15.3 | 15.3 | 650 |
Upgraded | 779 | 750 | 28.6 | 30.0 | 23.0 | 18.6 |
Details
Features | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Combat flaps | Take-off flaps | Landing flaps | Air brakes | Arrestor gear |
✓ | ✓ | ✓ | X | X |
Limits | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wings (km/h) | Gear (km/h) | Flaps (km/h) | Max Static G | |||
Combat | Take-off | Landing | + | - | ||
900 | 450 | 498 | 469 | 320 | ~8 | ~6 |
Optimal velocities (km/h) | |||
---|---|---|---|
Ailerons | Rudder | Elevators | Radiator |
< 563 | < 560 | < 560 | > 314 |
Compressor (RB/SB) | ||
---|---|---|
Setting 1 | ||
Optimal altitude | 100% Engine power | WEP Engine power |
8,400 m | 1,660 hp | 1,942 hp |
Survivability and armour
- 70 mm Bulletproof glass - Armoured windscreen
- 16 mm Steel plate in the nose, in front of ammo boxes and pilot
The J7W1 is protected by armour glass (70 mm) in front of pilot and steel armour plate (16 mm) in front of pilot in between guns, which are ineffective against cannons found in this BR range. It is very prone to fires, and which are difficult to extinguish. Engine snipes are common, due to the position and large size of the engine. Wing tip damage can increase the likelyhood of unrecoverable flat spins.
Modifications and economy
Armaments
Offensive armament
The J7W1 is armed with:
- 4 x 30 mm Type 5 navy cannons, nose-mounted (60 rpg = 240 total)
Suspended armament
The J7W1 can be outfitted with the following ordnance:
- Without load
- 2 x 60 kg Navy Type 97 Number 6 bombs (120 kg total)
- 4 x 60 kg Navy Type 97 Number 6 bombs (240 kg total)
Usage in battles
The Shinden is a quick, pusher prop aircraft that excels in keeping its energy up after diving from a high altitude. It is able to climb up to a nice altitude above its opponents and strafe enemies either with a boom-and-zoom or hit-and-run strategy. The Shinden sports four excellent 30 mm guns mounted in the nose making it infamous for its head-on capabilities as they are easy to get on target but require a bit of aim control as the guns have low muzzle velocity, as long as you keep your speed high you will become a big threat to the enemy team. The Shinden is able to outrun a myriad of aircraft at its BR with some exceptions being the F8F-1B and the Spitfire F Mk XIVe as they have more powerful engines. Enemy bombers such as the B-17G-60-VE are optimal targets as your main weapons are able to quickly rip through the bombers armour, heavy fighters such as the F7F-1 or the Hornet Mk.III are targets you may often see at your altitude and make for great prey as they are large and aren't as agile as single-engine fighters. As a Shinden pilot, it is unwise to let the enemy get onto your six o'clock as you aren't likely to shake them with your poor manoeuvrability and the Shinden's engine is mounted in the rear of the plane, meaning any enemy behind you can quickly take you out of the fight just with a few hits to the engine. Like a majority of the Japanese planes, the Shinden lacks any armour to reliable stop bullets from damaging it, however there is a piece of bulletproof glass in the front of the planes cockpit that is 70 mm thick as well as a 16 mm steel plate in the nose, making head-ons a reliable way to kill enemy aircraft as you do not have to worry about enemy bullets hitting your engine. It is highly recommended to avoid participating in dogfights in the Shinden as almost any single prop fighter at its BR will be able to outturn it so it's ideal to stick to energy fighting. The Shinden also has access to 60 kg bombs that can destroy lightly-armoured targets in mixed battles.
In Simulator Battles the Shinden is one of a few planes which gain the ability to preform a "Cobra" manoeuvre and also has the ability to throttle the fuel mixture throttle down enough to kill the engine and stop most engine fires and even some fuel tank fires that it is prone to receiving. Bring the Tracer Belt in most scenarios as all the other belts have practice rounds.
Manual Engine Control
MEC elements | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mixer | Pitch | Radiator | Supercharger | Turbocharger | ||
Oil | Water | Type | ||||
Controllable | Controllable Auto control available |
Not controllable Not auto controlled |
Controllable Auto control available |
Combined | Not controllable 1 gear |
Not controllable |
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Exceptional burst mass of 4 x 30 mm cannons
- Very good pitch response
- Good handling in a dive
- Pilot has some protection in the back from the engine
Cons:
- Has one of the slowest sustained turn rates of its aircraft type in its battle rating
- High speed rudder suffers some compression
- Pilot more exposed at the front.
- Since the engine is located in the rear, it is especially vulnerable to enemies behind it
- Shots to the front may damage its "tail" flaps
- Fuel tanks are easily flammable and do not fully self-seal
- It's very likely that stalls will be fatal even with unscratched machine
- Combat flaps are usable only in a low speeds and cause the plane to pitch nose-down
History
The J7W1 Shinden (震電, "Magnificent Lightning") was an Imperial Japanese fighter of WWII that was built near the end of the war in an attempted response to the American B-29 Superfortress bombers. The aircraft used a canard wing formation, (canard wing formation refers to how the main wings are mounted at the rear of the fuselage and smaller wings are placed at the front. Similar to the Curtiss-Wright XP-55 Ascender.) Like the Ascender, the J7W1 was never put into mass-production and was abandoned while still in the prototype stage.[1]
Developed with the intention of intercepting heavy bombers, it was given 4 nose-mounted 30 mm cannons.
Development of the aircraft began in 1944, but shortages of manufacturing supplies continued to delay its development and testing and the first prototype wasn't completed until April 1945. The Navy placed high hopes in the new model and it was originally hoped that the Kyushu's Zasshonokuma factory and Nakajima's Handa plant would be able to produce over a thousand of the aircraft by 1947.
The prototype first flew on 3 August 1945 from Itazuke Air Base. The plane flew a total of three times, each time as a test flight before it was grounded permanently due to the Japanese surrender and end of the war.
Various parts of the Shinden survived the end of the war and its fuselage can be seen at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC.[2]
Media
- Skins
- Videos
See also
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
External links
- [Profile] J7W1 Shinden - The magnificent lightning
- [Forum] Aircraft Datasheet
- [Wikipedia] Kyushu J7W
References
Kyūshū Aircraft Co. Ltd. (九州飛行機株式会社) | |
---|---|
Fighters | J7W1 |
Previously known as Watanabe Iron Works Co. Ltd. (渡辺鉄工株式会社) prior to 1943 before being split into Kyūshū Aircraft & Kyūshū Weapons. |
Japan fighters | |
---|---|
Navy | |
Carrier-based fighter | |
A5M | A5M4 · Hagiri's A5M4 |
A6M | A6M2 mod. 11 · A6M2 · A6M3 · A6M3 mod. 22 · A6M3 mod. 22Ko · A6M5 · A6M5 Ko · A6M5 otsu · A6M5 Hei · A6M6c |
A7He | A7He1* |
A7M | A7M1 (NK9H) · A7M2 |
Land-based Fighter | |
J2M | J2M2 · J2M3 · J2M4 Kai · J2M5 · J2M5 (30 mm) |
J6K | J6K1 |
J7W | J7W1 |
N1K-J | N1K1-Ja · N1K2-J · N1K2-Ja |
Fighter seaplane | |
N1K | N1K1 |
A6M-N | A6M2-N |
Army | |
Ki-10 | Ki-10-I · Ki-10-I C · Ki-10-II · Ki-10-II C |
Ki-27 | Ki-27 otsu · Ki-27 otsu Tachiarai |
Ki-43 | Ki-43-I · Ki-43-II · Ki-43-III otsu |
Ki-44 | Ki-44-I · Ki-44-I 34 · Ki-44-II otsu · Ki-44-II hei |
Ki-61 | Ki-61-I ko · Ki-61-I otsu · Ki-61-I hei · Tada's Ki-61-I hei · Ki-61-I tei · Ki-61-II Otsu Kai |
Ki-84 | Ki-84 ko · Ki-84 otsu · Ki-84 hei |
Ki-87 | Ki-87 |
Ki-94 | Ki-94-II |
Ki-100 | Ki-100 · Ki-100-II |
Other countries | ▅F4U-1A · ▅P-51C-11-NT · ▅Bf 109 E-7 · ▅Fw 190 A-5 |
*Imported designation of the He 112 (A6M was in development - A7M would take A7 designation after the cancelation of the A7He) |