Hasegawa JT89 Kawanishi N1K1-Ja Shiden (George) Type 11 Koh 1/48 – Plastic Model Kit

Hasegawa JT89 is a precise plastic model kit of the Kawanishi N1K1-Ja Shiden (George) Type 11 Koh fighter, produced in the popular 1/48 scale. This set is a faithful miniature of the Japanese fighter aircraft that played a significant role in the Pacific theater during the second half of World War II.

The Original – History and Use

The Kawanishi N1K1-Ja Shiden aircraft, also known by the Allied codename “George,” was one of the most advanced Japanese land-based fighters introduced into service by the Imperial Japanese Navy. The prototype's first flight took place in January 1943, and combat aircraft began reaching the front lines in 1944. It was designed as a fast and maneuverable interceptor, capable of dogfighting the most modern Allied aircraft. The Kawanishi N1K1-Ja stood out thanks to its unusual landing gear design and powerful armament—four 20 mm cannons and two 7.7 mm machine guns—making it a formidable adversary, especially against B-29 bombers and fighters such as the F6F Hellcat and F4U Corsair. It was mainly used in defense of Japan's home islands during 1944–1945.

Hasegawa JT89 Model Specifications

• Scale: 1/48 – offering an ideal balance between detail and model size.
• Material: high-quality plastic.
• Contents: sprues with model parts, clear assembly instructions, decals with accurately reproduced markings of Japanese units from the 1944–1945 period.
• Extras: glue and paints not included.
• Category: plastic model kit (aircraft kit).
• Recommendations: best suited for intermediate and advanced hobbyists, as manual detailing and painting are required.
• Difficulty level: 3/5 – requires precision during assembly and skills with decals and camouflage painting.
• Uniqueness: a less common type of Japanese fighter that will enrich any World War II aviation model collection.

Hasegawa JT89 Kawanishi N1K1-Ja Shiden Type 11 Koh is the ideal choice for aviation history enthusiasts and collectors of World War II models. Thanks to its high quality and the rich history of the aircraft, this model is a valuable addition to any modeling collection.