Nakajima J1N1 Gekko Type 11 Night Fighter (Irwing)

Designed in 1938 the first J1N1 Gekko - Moonlight (Irwing was the name given to him by the Allies) first flew in May 1941. Twin-engine fighter like his original role was to accompany large bombers, and a range of Zero (which grew in parallel) No major. On the way he acquired heavier weapons and radar to be used successfully as nocturnal fighter from 1943 until the end of the War. A total of about 479 units and apart from some prosecution used as identifiers but more in the role of night persecution. The Gekko was quite fast (510 mph, slightly slower than the Zero) and very flexible. As night-fighter had several successes against B-17, B-24 and B-29. Early versions had a powerful projector instead of radar in the nose. The key to success was two 20mm guns mounted on top of the fuselage, which were contesting obliquely upwards and forwards at an angle of 30 degrees, according to the standards of the German night-fighter. Thus could put anti-usually unprotected belly-target flying lower, without the need to make difficult maneuvers. American bombers were shot down in 1943 thereby surprised the USAAF did not expect that the Japanese had the technology to do so. 1945 Gekko showed some impressive cascading and multiple debunk B-29, but it was too little to prevent the bombing of Japan, even at night.