The Kyushu J7W1 Shinden was one of the most unconventional fighter designs to emerge from Japan during the final stages of the Second World War. Conceived as a high-performance interceptor to counter high-altitude Allied bombers, the Shinden employed a canard configuration that placed the main wings aft and control surfaces forward, an arrangement chosen to improve firepower concentration, pilot visibility, and high-speed performance.
Only two prototypes were completed before Japan’s surrender. Power was provided by a 2,130 horsepower Mitsubishi Ha-43 radial engine mounted behind the cockpit, driving a six-bladed propeller through an extension shaft. Engine cooling was handled by long, narrow intakes mounted obliquely along the fuselage sides. Of the two prototypes built, one flew for a total of approximately 45 minutes before the war ended. One airframe was later scrapped, while the other was shipped to the United States for evaluation and never flown again.
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