Nakijama A6M2-N „Rufe“ – the Japanese hidrofighter

Nakajima A6M2-N - Japanese floating hidrofighter of metal construction. Developed under the direction of engineers Niitake and Tajiman, based on the A6M “Zero” fighter. The first flight of the prototype took place in 1941. December 8. Accepted in the armed forces in 1942 at the beginning, named "Type 2 Hydro Destroyer". The Allied code name is “Rufe”. The aircraft was built in 1942, called the “Suisen 2” (Hydro-Fighter Type 2), and was used only for defensive purposes in the Aleutian and Solomon Islands operations. Such seaplanes were effective in destroying American Patrol vessels at night. They could also fire flares to illuminate patrol vessels, that were vulnerable to fighter fire and depended on the cover of darkness. The seaplane also served as an interceptor, protecting fuel depots at Balikpapan and Avon bases (Dutch East Indies) and reinforced the Shumushu base (Northern Kuriles) during the same period. Such fighters served on the seaplane carrier "Kamikawa Maru" in the Solomon and Kuril Islands and on the Japanese raiders "Hokoku Maru" and "Aikoku Maru" during raids in the Indian Ocean. In the Aleutian campaign this fighter fought the RCAF Curtiss P-40 "Warhawk", Lockheed P-38 "Lightning" and Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress" bombers. The aircraft was used as an interceptor, fighter-bomber and close-range reconnaissance aircraft and for airborne support during landings. Later in the conflict the “Otsu Air Group” used the A6M2-N as interceptors alongside Kawanishi N1K1 “Kyofu” (“Rex”) aircraft, based at Lake Biwa in the Honshu area. The last A6M2-N was seen in military service, when French forces retook Indochina after the end of World War II. It crashed shortly after the overhaul.

A medium-complexity, medium-sized, well-designed and fairly richly detailed model of a hidrofighter for modellers of all experience, only less experienced ones are advised to work under the supervision of a more experienced colleague and take their time. The model can be done in one of two camouflages, both of which recreate the machines from 802 Kokutai, that fought in 1943. There are details of a transport cart for transporting the plane on land.