Why is the SWS (Super Wing Series) in 1/32 scale?

It's because we think that 1/32 scale itself is the most optimum scaling size to obtain the fullest appeal of hobby modeling, as if one were building the real thing.

We wanted not to create plastic models, but to recreate a model akin to the real thing itself.

As a result of that, we wanted it to be a kit whereby the verification, study and representation of the exterior design; of course the fuselage construction and the engine, the cockpit, the landing gear, and the armaments; in what way the layout for each part was conceived; and then how each of these was put together to make up an aircraft; and furthermore even how it all functioned; that all of these could be clearly understood by the modeler.

It was this development concept that brought about the creation of the Shinden aircraft model, a model which carries within it these new ideas.

"The Shinden model: where you can experience the same fascination the designers and manufacturers felt when they crafted the real thing."

It is because of the 1/32 scale used that this is possible.
(* Note: we plan to do large four engine craft etc in 1/48 scale.)

Why was the first SWS the 'Shinden'?

That's because "in the Shinden one can feel brilliance".

When the name of the 'Shinden' was first brought up by one of the ZOUKEI-MURA staff in charge of development, I have to admit that I realized inside myself, I felt quite flustered.
It was because for me, as a fan of Japanese aircraft, it was too much of a shock straight to the heart.

"If possible I want to do the Shinden last," "the Shinden is special", and "the Shinden is shrouded in mystery" -- it was a complicated, disordered mix of thoughts such as these, and for some reason, I faltered.

Furthermore, perhaps there was the facts that the Shinden itself could be said to be a mainstay of Japanese aircraft enthusiasts, and at the same time to some degree almost sacred.
And yet on the other hand, there was also the thought that it was because of all that that this aircraft was the most appropriate to display as our first aircraft model, something that I had perhaps been dreaming of since I first entered the Hobby Shop business.

Historical investigative data? The actual craft itself? The development project from the prototype onwards? It was these perplexing questions and the barrier of realizing the craft as a kit that lay in wait for us in the development of the kit.

To begin with, why was an aircraft like this developed and produced by Kyushu Aircraft?
Its existence rife with mystery, and its curious shape: as we pursued these with outside researchers, slowly but surely the form of the Shinden became clear.

Day by day the work continued, enjoyable and yet very difficult. The completed blueprints, the original form of the engine and armaments, the inner structure, the frame, even the landing gear became steadily clearer.
And what surprised me all over again, was the expression and workmanship of ZOUKEI-MURA and the sculptors therein, who in general have such a long history of creating splendid figures and mecha robots just as they please based on nothing more than a few comic books or illustrations.

The delicate curved structure of the fuselage - that if you looked at just the blueprints you could never visualize; the significance of the divided panels; the photographic documents too few in number for sculpting purposes; yet with just these, one by one things became clear.

It is a certainty that that wonder, that excitement, and that delight is such a truly precious experience to me that I cannot find the words to express it.
Why was it a canard design? Why were the cannons equipped in that manner?
Why was the engine, why was the oil cooler, why was the leg structure......
It was almost as if everything became clear, the riddles unraveled one by one.

In this way the Shinden, that great entanglement of riddles, revealed itself before us in such a completed form that we could almost think "at last, this is it; there's nothing more I need".

And my dream, the second SWS craft, is also currently progressing well.

And yet at the same time, my dreams are the dreams of all aircraft modelers. And so, what aircraft might be realized next? I truly hope you will anticipate that dream together with us.

We are accepting Pre-Orders for the second production run of the 1/32 Shinden.

As soon as we confirm a set number of pre-orders, the second production run will be possible.

Pre-Orders can be made at your local Volks store, at our mail order center, or via our website. (A deposit is not required. Please note: for pre-orders via the website, please wait a short while until the pre-order form is established.)

Furthermore please be aware in advance that if pre-orders do not reach a set number, there may be a considerable wait time involved. We appreciate your understanding.

* Note: we are planning to begin pre-orders for the second SWS from April. Don't miss it!