Hasegawa 1/48 Aichi B7A2 Ryusei Kai Grace 21st Air Arsenal 752nd Flying Group Attack Bombe Kitr

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The Aichi B7A2 Ryusei, also known as "Grace" by Allied reporting, was a Japanese carrier-based torpedo-dive bomber developed by Aichi Aircraft Company during World War II. It was designed to replace the Nakajima B6N Tenzan and the Yokosuka D4Y Suisei. The B7A was unique in its versatility, combining the roles of dive bombing and torpedo attacks into one aircraft. It featured an advanced design, with high speed, excellent maneuverability, and a large bomb load capacity.

Key Specifications:

• Role: Torpedo-dive bomber
• First Flight: 1942
• Introduced: 1944
• Primary Users: Imperial Japanese Navy
• Crew: 2 (pilot and observer/gunner)
• Powerplant: One 1,825 hp Nakajima NK9C Homare 12 radial engine
• Maximum Speed: 565 km/h (351 mph)
• Range: 3,110 km (1,930 mi)
• Armament:
  • 2 × 20 mm Type 99 cannons (in the wings)
  • 1 × 7.92 mm machine gun (rear cockpit for defense)

Operational History:

The B7A2 was produced in limited numbers due to the late stages of the war and the destruction of Japanese aircraft carriers, that hampered its use. Only about 100 aircraft were built. Despite its capabilities, it saw little combat because Japan’s naval air power was largely neutralized by the time it became available.

The B7A was considered one of the best carrier bombers of the war in terms of performance, but its impact was minimal due to the timing of its deployment.