Kawanishi N1K

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Kawanishi N1K/N1K-J
Kawanishii N1K2-J
Type	Fighter
Manufacturer	Kawanishi Aircraft Company
Maiden flight	(N1K-J) 27 December 1942
Introduced	1943
Retired	1945
Primary user	Imperial Japanese Navy

The Kawanishi N1K "Kyōfū" (強風 "Strong Wind") was an Imperial Japanese Navy fighter aircraft. The Kawanishi N1K-J "Shiden" (紫電 "Violet Lightning") was an Imperial Japanese Navy land-based version of the N1K. Assigned the Allied codename George, the N1K-J was considered by both its pilots and opponents to be one of the finest land-based fighters flown by the Japanese during World War II.

The N1K possessed a heavy armament and, unusually for a Japanese fighter, could absorb considerable battle damage. The N1K-J evenly matched the F6F Hellcat and was a better match than the A6M5 Zeke for such aircraft as the F4U Corsair and P-51 Mustang. Despite such capability, it was produced too late and in insufficient numbers to affect the outcome of the war.

Contents 1 Design and development 2 Operational history 2.1 343 Kokutai 3 Survivors 4 Variants 5 Specifications (N1K2-J) 6 See also 7 References 7.1 Notes 7.2 Bibliography 8 External links

[edit] Design and development

Kawanishi's N1K was built as a floatplane fighter to support forward offensive operations where no airstrips were available, but by 1943 when the aircraft entered service, Japan was firmly on the defensive, and there was no need for the N1K. They were used defensively anyway, but were no match for U.S. Navy carrier fighters.

The requirement to carry a bulky, heavy float was what crippled the N1K against modern American fighters. Kawanishi engineers, however, had proposed in late 1941 that the N1K would produce a formidable land-based fighter too, and a land-based version was produced as a private venture by the company. This flew on December 27, 1942, powered by a Nakajima Homare radial engine, replacing the less powerful Mitsubishi Kasei of the N1K. The aircraft retained the mid-mounted wing of the floatplane, and this and the large propeller necessitated long, stalky landing gear. A unique feature was the aircraft's automatic combat flaps that adjusted automatically based on acceleration, freeing up the pilot from having to do this and reducing the chance of stalling in combat.

The Nakajima Homare was powerful but had been rushed into production before it was really ready, and was troublesome. Another problem was that, due to poor heat-treating of the wheels, the landing gear would often simply rip off when landing. It was reported that more Georges were lost to this than to Allied forces. Apart from engine problems and the landing gear the flight test program showed that the aircraft was promising. Prototypes were evaluated by the Navy, and since the aircraft was faster than the Mitsubishi A6M5 "Reisen" and had a much longer range than the Mitsubishi J2M2 "Raiden", it was ordered into production as the N1K1-J, the -J indicating a land-based fighter modification of the original floatplane fighter

The N1K2-J was a complete redesign begun only four days after the Shiden's first test flight, to address the N1K1-J's major defects, primarily the mid-mounted wing and long landing gear. The wings were moved to a low position, which permitted the use of conventional landing gear legs, the fuselage was lengthened, the tail redesigned, and the whole aircraft was made much simpler to produce and to use fewer critical materials in short supply. The Homare engine was retained, since there was no alternative even though its reliability problems had not been fully corrected. A prototype flew on 1 January 1944 and was rushed into production after Navy trials in April. The aircraft was named the "Shiden-Kai" (紫電改), Kai standing for Modified.

[edit] Operational history

The aircraft entered service in early 1944 and proved highly effective against American fighters, though mechanically unreliable. The engine was difficult to maintain and, like the complicated undercarriage, plagued by frequent failures.

N1K1-J aircraft were used very effectively over Formosa, the Philippines and later, Okinawa. Before production was switched to the improved N1K2-J, 1,007 aircraft were produced, including prototypes.

Problems resulted in very few aircraft being produced, but the Shiden-Kai proved to be one of the best "dogfighters" fielded by either side. Along with high speed, the fighters were very agile with a roll rate of 82 deg/sec @ 240 mph (390 km/h). Their weaponry was very effective comprising of four 20 mm cannons in the wings and a pair of machine guns in the nose. As a bomber interceptor it was less successful, because of a poor rate of climb and reduced engine performance at high altitude.

[edit] 343 Kokutai

Because of production difficulties and damage caused by B-29 Superfortress raids on Japanese factories, only 415 fighters were produced, consequently, N1K-J fighters were mainly used by units like the elite IJN 343rd Air Group (343 Kokutai), commanded by Minoru Genda. The new Shiden was principally involved in the battles fought in the last year of war. The 343 Kokutai (343° Naval Fighter Group) was constituted on 25 December 1944 by Captain Minoru Genda, the veteran naval aviator who had previously masterminded the attack on Pearl Harbor. Another unit bearing the number had previously existed, but was disbanded in July 1944. The new 343rd Kokutai consisted of the best pilots and the best fighters available. One of the more prominent 343rd Kokutai pilots was Kaneyoshi Muto reputed to have single handedly shot down four Hellcats. The unit was also equipped with the new C6N Saiun ("Myrt") long range reconnaissance aircraft. One of the Saiuns managed, on 18 March 1945, to spot the U.S. carriers, and the 343 Kokutai was ready to fight the day after.

That morning, 300 American aircraft were met by the Shidens. Many of these Shiden were N1K2s which were approximately 250 kg lighter, faster, structurally simpler and more reliable than the previous N1K1 version. The battle started when some Shiden dived on the VBF-17 Hellcats. Three aircraft were lost on both sides in the initial attack. One Hellcat and two Shiden were downed by enemy fire, two fighters collided, and one Hellcat crashed trying to land. Then, the other Shiden dived on the Hellcats, downing another. In the end, the 407 Hitokai lost six fighters versus eight VBF-17 Hellcats.

More serious was the encounter with VBF-10 Corsairs, when two of the Corsairs were separated from the main formations, and then attacked by 343rd Shidens. Four N1K2s were shot down while the Corsairs managed to return to their carrier, USS Bunker Hill. The N1K2s soon got their revenge, when VFM-123 Corsairs were surprised by Shidens, initially mistaken for Hellcats, with a 30-minute aerial combat ensuing. Three Corsairs were shot down and another five were damaged while three other heavily damaged F4Us which had landed on carriers were subsequently thrown into the sea. Of the ten Japanese aircraft the Americans claimed, not one was effectively downed. Two Shiden however, were shot down at landing by Hellcats of VF-9. Many other Shidens were destroyed by American fighters over another airport, where they tried to land because they were low on fuel. At the end of the day, 343° declared 52 victories, U.S. fighters 63. The actual losses were 15 Shiden and 13 pilots, a "Myrt" with its three crew, and nine other Japanese fighters. The U.S. also had heavy losses, with 14 fighters and seven pilots, and 11 other attack aircraft.

Five days later, an unofficial award was sent to 343 Kokutai for the valour shown on 19 March. On 12 April 1945 another fierce battle involved 343°, during Kikosui N.2. The Japanese scored several victories but suffered 12 losses out of 34 machines. On 4 May, another 24 Shiden were sent in Kikosui N.5. After a loss of 29 machines out of 48, 343° was retired at the end of June.

In every case, the Shiden, especially the Kai version (which was lighter, simpler and more reliable), showed they could fight multiple Hellcats and even Corsairs, even if the Allied aircraft were not 'easy kills', as some sources suggested. The Shiden was slower than both the American fighters, and suffered from poor performance at higher altitudes, however the firepower, agility and ruggedness were overall much improved over the Zero, and if these fighters had been available in 1944 for the Japanese carrier force, they could have been a serious challenge for the Americans at the Marianas and Leyte. In fact, the lack of a new generation fighter was the main weakness for the Imperial Navy, because the other types of machines (B6N and D4Y) were of new models, even faster than the A6M5s (At least D4Y, 575 km/h vs 540-565). Many other battles were fought by the 343 Kokutai, but even with brave and well trained pilots, this unit had too few pilots compared to the naval armada fielded by Allies, and persistent losses led to the retirement of the unit.

[edit] Survivors

At least three aircraft survive in American museums. One is at the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Florida; the second is at the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, while the third is owned by the National Air and Space Museum but was restored by the Champlin Fighter Museum at Falcon Field, Mesa, Arizona, in return for the right to display the aircraft at Falcon Field for ten years after restoration.

[edit] Variants

Shiden-Kai Production
Month	Number Produced
1943	1 (prototype)
January 1944	1
February 1944	1
March 1944	1
April 1944	2
May 1944	1
June 1944	1
July 1944	3
August 1944	2
September 1944	1
October 1944	6
November 1944	17
December 1944	31
January 1945	35
February 1945	47
March 1945	59
April 1945	83
May 1945	83 (20 by Himeji factory)
June 1945	25
July 1945	18
August 1945	10
Total	428
Sources: Pages 29 and 63-68 of Genda's Blade and Aircraft in profile 213, page 64.

N1K1 Kyofu

• N1K1: only standard type as floatplane, which was used from early 1943.
• N1K2: reserved name for an intended model with larger engine, not built.

N1K1-J Shiden

• N1K1-J: Prototypes: development of fighter hydroplane N1K1 Kyofu, 1,820 hp Nakajima Homare 11 Engine, 9 built
• N1K1-J Shiden (Violet Thunder) Navy Land Based Interceptor, Model 11: first production model: 1,990 hp Nakajima Homare 21 engine with revised cover, armed with two Type 97 7.7 mm MG and two Type 99 20 mm cannon. Modified total vision cockpit
• N1K1-Ja, Model 11A: Without frontal 7.7 mm MGs, only four 20 mm cannon in wings
• N1K1-Jb, Model 11B: Similar to Model 11A amongst load two 250 kg Bombs, revised wing weapons
• N1K1-Jc,Model 11C: definitive fighter-bomber version, derived from Model 11B. Four bomb racks under wings.
• N1K1-J KAIa: experimental version with auxiliary rocket. One Model 11 conversion.
• N1K1-J KAIb: conversion for dive bombing. One 250 kg bomb under belly and six rockets under wings.

N1K2-J Shiden-KAI

• N1K2-J Prototypes: N1K1-Jb redesigned. Low wings, engine cover and landing gear modified. New fuselage and tail, 8 built
• N1K2-J Shiden KAI (Violet Thunder, Modified) Navy Land Based Interceptor, Model 21: first model of series
• N1K2-Ja,Model 21A: Fighter-bomber version. Four 250 kg bombs. Constructed by Kawanishi: 393, Mitsubishi: 9, Aichi: 1, Showa Hikoki: 1, Ohmura Navy Arsenal: 10, Hiro Navy Arsenal: 1.
• N1K2-K Shiden KAI-Rensen (Violet Thunder Fighter Trainer, Modified) Trainer version of N1K-J Series with two seats, operative or factory conversions

Further variants

• N1K3-J Shiden KAI 1, Model 31 Prototypes: Engines displaced to ahead, two Type 3 13, 2 mm MGs in front, 2 built
• N1K3-A Shiden KAI 2, Model 41: Carrier-based version of N1K3-J, only project
• N1K4-J Shiden KAI 3, Model 3: Prototypes, 2,000 hp Nakajima Homare 23 engine, 2 built.
• N1K4-A Shiden KAI 4, Model 4: Prototype, experimental conversion of N1K4-J example with equipment for use in carriers, 1 built
• N1K5-J Shiden KAI 5, Model 25: High Altitude Interceptor version. only project

• Total Production (all versions): 1,435 examples.

[edit] Specifications (N1K2-J)

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Length: 30 ft 7 in (9.3 m)
• Wingspan: 39 ft 4 in (12.0 m)
• Height: 13 ft 0 in (3.9 m)
• Wing area: 253 ft² (23.5 m²)
• Empty weight: 5,855 lb (2,656 kg)
• Loaded weight: 8,820 lb (4,000 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 10,710 lb (4,860 kg)
• Powerplant: 1× Nakajima Homare NK9H radial engine, 1,990 hp (1,480 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 369 mph (594 km/h)
• Range: 1,066 mi; 1,488 mi (2,395 km) ferry (1,716 km / 2,395 km)
• Service ceiling 35,500 ft (10,800 m)
• Rate of climb: 4,000 ft/min (high octane fuel) (20.3 m/s)
• Wing loading: 34 lb/ft² (166 kg/m²)
• Power/mass: 0.226 hp/lb (0.305 kW/kg)

Armament

• 4 × 20 mm Type 99 Model 2 Mk 4 cannon in wings. 200 rounds per gun (up from 100 rounds per gun internally and 70 rounds per gun in underwing boots for the early N1K1-J). The 20×101 mm round had an effective range of 1,000 m (3,280 ft) and a muzzle velocity of 700 m/s (2,297 ft/s). The 128 g shell had 6-8% HE. Rate of fire was about 500 rounds/min per gun. The guns were synchronized to converge at 200 m (656 ft).
• 2 × 250 kg (551 lbs) bombs
• 2 × 400 L (105 gal) drop tanks

[edit] See also

Related lists List of military aircraft of Japan - List of fighter aircraft

[edit] References

[edit] Notes

[edit] Bibliography

[edit] External links

• AirToAirCombat.com: Kawanishi N1K1 Kyofu

v • d • e Japanese Navy Fighter Seaplanes N1K No other designations were assigned in this sequence

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