Aichi B7A2 Ryusei Torpedo Dive Bomber 1/72 Scale Diecast Metal Model by War Master
$ 29.99
1:72 Scale Metal Die-Cast - Aichi B7A2 Ryusei "Shooting Star" – Length: 6.5" Wingspan: 7.75”
This Ryusei model is twin seat plane. The cockpit is glue shut. It has no pilot/crew figures included. The landing gear is optional and can be attached or omitted to display the model in in-flight configuration. The covers for the wheel wells are included. A display stand is included. A torpedo is also included and can be attached to the center line, however, the torpedo and the stand interfere with each other. In other words, if you display the model on the stand, then the torpedo has no space to be attached.
This is really a "no-play" model or a "display-only" model. It is mostly metal and very heavy. It also has a number of antennas which look great but are very fragile. If you have small kids that like to play with your models, save yourself some frustration (and money) and wait till later to get a model like this one. The box is labeled as not suitable for children under 14.
The maker of this model, War Master, did a good job with this model, specifically the color scheme and the markings are very crisp and clear. The panel lines and hatches are very nicely done (engraved). If you look carefully at the photos you will notice that the paint job has some weathering details, there are darker lines simulating wear/oil leakage along some panel lines to some very nice effect. Moreover, this model is quite large. It is noticeably bigger than the Zero in every dimension.
The box measures at 9 inches by 9 inches by 3.75 inches.
The Aichi B7A Ryusei (流星 Ryūsei?, "Shooting Star", Allied reporting name "Grace") was a large and powerful carrier-borne torpedo-dive bomber produced by Aichi Kokuki KK for theImperial Japanese Navy Air Service during the Second World War. Built in only small numbers and deprived of the aircraft carriers it was intended to operate from, the type had little chance to distinguish itself in combat before the war ended in August 1945.
The B7A had a weight-carrying capacity stemming from its requirements,[4] resulting in a weapons load no greater than its predecessors. The presence of an internal bomb bay with two high-load-capability attachment points allowed the aircraft to carry two 250 kg (550 lb) or six 60 kg (132 lb) bombs. Alternatively, it could carry a single 800 kg (1,764 lb) torpedo mounted externally.
Defensive armament initially consisted of two 20mm Type 99 Model 2 cannons in the wing roots and one flexible 7.92mm Type 1 machine-gun mounted in the rear cockpit. Later production models of the B7A2 featured a 13mm Type 2 machine-gun in place of the 7.92mm gun.[5]
Despite the plane's weight and size, it displayed fighter-like handling and performance, besting the version of the A6M Zero in service at the time. It was fast and highly maneuverable.[6]
