Kawanishi N1K1-J

The Kawanishi N1K1-J is a Fighter plan Japanese marine of the Second world war. It was a derivative of a combat seaplane, N1K1 Kyofu.

Design

N1K1-J Shiden

Kawanishi Shiden (紫電) was one of the best terrestrial hunters used by the Japanese imperial navy at the end of the Second world war. Extrapolated Seaplane of hunting N1K1 Kyofu (allied code Rex), which flew for the first time in August 1942, the N1K1-J, equipped with landing a Gear for wheels, was developed at the end of the same year and took the air in July 1943. This industrial project was not a ordering of the navy but a private development of the Kawanishi airframe manufacturer, also, it did not accept the reception which it deserved initially. Drawn aside with the profit of the Mitsubishi J2M Raiden, it was finally accepted as principal fighter plan based with ground by the marine when the competitor hunter knew important delays of production.

The apparatus, called " Georges " by the Allies, entered in service at the beginning of 1944 and its production rose with 1.007 specimens of three different versions by their armament.

The N1K1-J gave satisfaction quickly because its armament and its shielding were in Net progress compared to the Mitsubishi Zero. The handiness was however very good because of use of combat shutters with automatic control. However, the plane suffered from important problems on the level of the landing gear inter alia. The very long train because of the median wings and of the very large propeller obliged the installation of a complex system of retraction. Many planes were destroyed with the landing because of rupture of the legs. It does not remain about it less than Shiden, in the hands of experienced pilots (rare food product in 1944) was an adversary completely with the height of the F6F5 of the American navy.

N1K2-J Shiden KAI

The success of the N1K1-J justified development of an improved version, the N1K2-J or Shiden KAI: 紫電改. KAI being abbreviation of “kaizo”: 改 meaning “modified” in Japanese. To solve the problem excessive length of the train, the wing was moved to the bottom, this change imposing the complete revision of the fuselage. The number of its elements had been tiny room of a third to gain 225 kg. The performances of the new plane were in Net progress. The N1K2-J was built with only 428 specimens in the final chaos of the war. Shiden Kai equipped celebrates it squadron 343 (#343 Kokutai), the squadron of the Japanese aces created with the best veterans with the manner of the German JV44. When these men had enough planes and fuel, they were a hard shock for the American aviators who believed any swept opposition.

Alternatives

N1K1-J : engine prototypes Nakajima NK9B Homare 11 of 1820ch, 2 machine-guns Type 98 of 7.7mm of cap and 2 guns Type 99 of 20mm in gondoles under the wings
N1K1-J: model 11, driving NK9H additional Homare 21 of 1990ch. Armement: 2 guns Type 99 of wings.
N1K1-Ja: 4 guns Type 99, all in the wings (removal of the gondoles and the machine-guns of cap)
N1K2-J: model 21, wings low, armament of N1K1-Ja
N1K2-K: two-seater version of drive of the N1K2-J
N1K2-Ja: minor evolutions, modified drift, rails for bombs
N1K3-J: project, model 31, project, fuselage lengthened to improve centering, two machine-guns of cap of 13.2mm
N1K3-A: project, model 41, navalized version of the model 31
N1K4-J: project, model 32, improved engine: NK9H-S Homare 23 (injection low pressure)
N1K4-A: project, model 42, it is a model 32 navalized
N1K5-J: project, model 43, model 41 with engine Mitsubishi MK9A of 2200ch

Anecdote

In February 1945 only one N1K2-J controlled by lieutenant Kinsuke Muto faced twelve F6F Hellcat, cut down four and forced the others of them has to move away. According to the narrators, Muto only, was accompanied by a winger and Hellcat was fewer. Whatever the historical truth of this action, it shows that Shiden Kai was largely of size to be measured with the best American hunters when it was carried out by an experienced pilot.

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