The photographs presented in this book are those of "Type 2 Gekko Model 11" late production type, s/n 7334 (the 334th completed example), built by Nakajima. Following the end of WWII, the plane was loaded aboard the US aircraft carrier "USS Barnes" (CVE-20) and shipped from Yokosuka on November 16, 1945 to the United States Three other Gekkos were shipped to the US as well, but this is the only remaining example in existence. On June 15, 1946, the aircraft underwent its first test flight in the US. The code number "FE3031" was assigned to the plane, but this was soon changed to T2-N700. At the time, except for anti-glare paint on the top of the nose and inboard side of the engine nacelles, the aircraft was unpainted. The marking '700" was present on the vertical stabilizer. Following testing, the aircraft was stored with the Smithsonian Institute's National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC for many years. As the condition of the aircraft had begun to degrade, it was decided to restore the plane completely. This work was carried out at the Museum's 'Paul E. Garber* facility from September 7, 1979 to December 4, 1983, entailing a total of 17,249 man-hours of work. The excellence at the restoration process is quite in evidence in the photos which follow.
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