English: The J7W1 was to be a single-engined fighter, with a canard layout and pusher engine. The name Shinden translates as ‘Magnificent Lightning’, however only two prototypes were built and the type never entered service. The first prototype flew on three occasions and completed a total flying time of only 45 minutes. Although it flew well, it suffered from torque pull to starboard and engine / propeller vibration. The second prototype was completed but never flown. One of the two aircraft was scrapped while the second shipped to the United States for evaluation. It was given the Foreign Evaluation identity FE-326 (later changed to T2-326) and was reassembled on arrival but was never flown. It became one of a large number of aircraft stored for museum use and was officially handed over to the Smithsonian Institute in 1960. The Smithsonian website claims that this is the first of the two prototypes and certainly it would make sense to take the example that had already flown, however several other sources claim that this is the second, unflown, example.

Whichever airframe it is, the forward fuselage and canard wing have now been put on display, while other parts remain in store at Silver Hill, Maryland. This remarkable survivor is seen on display in the Steven F. Udvar Hazy Center as part of the National Air and Space Museum. Washington Dulles International Airport, Chantilly, Virginia

15th March 2018