Description
You are bidding on an EXTREMELY RARE example of an WW2 Imperial Japanese Navy Aircraft Cockpit Instrument Panel, as ONLY used in the carrier-borne Nakajima C6N Saiun “Myrt”! This aircraft was used for both Reconnaisance missions, as well as in the Night Fighter role!
The Nakajima C6N Saiun (“Iridescent Cloud”) was a carrier-based reconnaissance aircraft used by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service in World War II. Advanced for its time, it was the fastest carrier-based aircraft put into service by Japan during the war. The Allied reporting name was “Myrt”.
Although designed for carrier use, by the time it entered service in September 1944 there were few carriers left for it to operate from, so most C6Ns were flown from land bases. Its speed was exemplified by a telegraph sent after a successful mission: “No Grummans can catch us.”. The top speed of the Hellcat was indeed of the same level, so overtaking a Saiun was out of the question.
As Allied bombers came within reach of the Japanese home islands, a first class night fighter was required. This led Nakajima to develop the C6N1-S, by removing the observer and replacing him with a Schräge Musik configured single 30 mm (or dual 20 mm) cannon. The C6N1-S’s effectiveness was hampered by the lack of air-to-air radar, although it was fast enough to enjoy almost complete immunity from interception by Allied fighters.
Despite its speed and performance, on 15 August 1945 a C6N1 happened to be the last aircraft to be shot down in World War II. Just five minutes later, the war was over and all Japanese aircraft were grounded.
Only 463 models were built, and only one intact example survives today.
Made of wood, aluminum, and steel, this Instrument Panel is an EXTRAORDINARILY RARE item! It was removed from a wrecked Japanese aircraft by a US Serviceman who served in the Pacific, and though it features some marks, wear, and damage, still retains 95% of it’s original paint and finish! Four original instruments are still attached, but do have some water staining on the inside of the glass (could be cleaned-up if one wished). Most of the Japanese data labels are also still attached! Instrument included are:
Manifold Pressure Gauge Type 1, Model 3
Electricla Tachometer Model 1
1 “Gou” Exhaust Temperature Gauge Model 1
1 “Gou” Oil / Fuel Pressure Gauge Model 4
VERY interesting as it was made of wood (as opposed to aluminum), which was due to a shortage of materials in the late stages of the war. Rear shock mounts are also still attached. I have indicated its EXACT location in the last photos.
Like most Japanese instruments and panels, this item is VERY RARE and would be a FANTASTIC addition to any Japanese Instrument Collection!
