FineMolds FP23 Kugisho R2Y1 Keiun

The Kugisho R2Y1 Keiun (Japanese: a beautiful cloud) was a Japanese prototype low-wing reconnaissance plane, with an all-metal structure from the Second World War. The drive was to be provided by a single engine Aichi YE2H (Ha-70-01) 3400 hp. The prototype flight took place in May 1945 - the machine never entered mass production. It is not clear whether the mass-produced machines were to have on-board weapons.

The Kugisho R2Y1 Keiun was created in accordance with the guidelines of the Japanese Navy Command in 1942 for a new sea reconnaissance aircraft, but based on land. The new machine was to have the farthest flight range and a very high maximum speed. After the first unsuccessful attempts to meet the demands of the Navy (the prototype was designated as R1Y1), the German experience from the experimental He-119 V-4 machine was used. Therefore, the most streamlined hull was used, which housed the Aichi Atsuta 30 double engine, which was now called Aichi YE2H. However, Japanese engineers encountered significant problems with such a design solution, which significantly extended the research and development process. Moreover, when the Kugisho R2Y1 finally took to the air in May 1945, it still exhibited considerable problems with the power unit. The machine never entered production. A development version powered by a jet engine (R2Y2) also appeared, but it remained only at the design stage.