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In
1943, the
IJN issued an 18-shi specification for a new interceptor. Kyushu submitted
a design with canard foreplanes, the J7W Shinden. Despite some opposition
to the design, the IJN was intrigued enough to accept the proposal.
However, the design had to show promise and the canard configuration
needed to be proven before the IJN would authorise further development.
Therefore, Kyushu designed a glider based on their Shinden concept as a
mean to test the canard properties and handling. Kugisho was commissioned
to build three gliders which were desigated MXY-6. The MXY-6s were
completed by the fall of 1943. Flight trials got under way soon
thereafter. The MXY-6 was found to have good handling characteristics
which provided verification to the concept of the J7W. The validation
of the canard design provided the needed proof of the concept and such the
IJN instructed Kyushu to proceed with the J7W Shinden.
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