Everything You Should Know About The WW2 Plane That Beat Godzilla

The latest Godzilla film, Godzilla Minus One, features one cool WW2-era aircraft that played a pivotal role in the movie.

That plane was the Japanese Kyushu J7W Shinden, known as the “Magnificent Lightning.”

Real History

Back in World War 2, the Shinden was envisioned as a high-speed, high-altitude interceptor capable of taking on enemy aircraft with its powerful armament.

It was built around a powerful, rear-facing, 2,130-horsepower Mitsubishi Ha-43-42 air-cooled radial engine behind the cockpit.

This 18 cylinder engine had superchargers to boost performance at high altitudes.

Japan’s Future Interceptor?

Shindens were expected to have a max speed of 470 mph, which would have made them one of the fastest piston-engine fighters of WW2.

Meanwhile, its projected climb rate of 2,460 feet/min and max altitude of 39,000 ft would have given problems to the B-17 and B-29 bombers.

Despite its innovative design, only two prototypes were built, and the first test flight occurred just days before Japan’s surrender.

As a result, the Shinden never saw combat, and its potential remained untested. That is, until Godzilla came around!

How It Overcame Godzilla

Godzilla Minus One was set in Japan years after World War II, so when the filmmakers looked for a potential period plane, they picked the Magnificent Lightning.

In the movie, the Shinden was flown into Godzilla’s mouth, causing the heat ray to tear its body apart.

Their budget initially prohibited making a replica of the plane, but the producers were able to find a museum willing to purchase the prop after the film was made.

After the movie was completed, the replica was put on display at the Tachiarai Peace Memorial Museum in Chikuzen, Fukuoka.