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airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/grumman-f6f-3k-hell...

Nakajima J1N1-S Gekko (Moonlight) "Irving"

Shortly after midnight on May 25th, 1945, Juzo Kuramoto and his crewmate Shiro Kurotori roared over the Yamanote section of Tokyo in their Gekko night fighter. The city had just been set aflame by 3,258 tons of incendiaries dropped by 464 B-29s of the 6th Bomb Group.

The flames illuminated his aircraft and likely his desire for payback.

By the end of the night, 3,200 civilians would be dead, 17 square miles of the city would be incinerated and 26 of the huge bombers would be shot down...the single most costly mission that B-29s experienced during the war.

Juzo and Shiro claimed 5 of those victories.

I photographed the only surviving Nakajima J1N at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center last year. In this image, I modified the aircraft markings to reflect Juzo's aircraft and also added the 3rd 20mm cannon. The actual aircraft is pristine thanks to a meticulous restoration, so I had to add digital wear and tear to make it realistic.

Note the cluster of fleeing B-29s in the top left of the image caught in searchlights.

As my old boss said: I reserve the right to get better, so if you notice any historical inaccuracies, please let me know.

Cheers!
Jeff

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Air and Space Museum,

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Air and Space Museum,

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Air and Space Museum,

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Air and Space Museum,

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Air and Space Museum,

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Air and Space Museum,

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Air and Space Museum,

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Air and Space Museum,

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Air and Space Museum,

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Air and Space Museum,

Lufthansa

Clipper Flying Cloud PAA

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Air and Space Museum,

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Air and Space Museum,

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Air and Space Museum,