The Kawanishi N1K1-J Shiden was a land-based naval fighter in service with the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. Developed from the N1K Kyofu floatplane, the prototype, Model X-1, first flew on December 27, 1942. After many test flights and fitted with a new engine, a 1,990-HP, Homare 21 (NK9H), it was finally introduced into service in December 1943. Other versions produced by Kawanishi were the N1K2-J, N1K3-J, N1K4, and N1K5-J Shiden Kai.
Despite the initial technical troubles with its weak landing gear, the Kawanishi N1K1-J was an excellent aircraft in combat, as it was very maneuverable and reliable in flight. It proved to be almost equal match for the Grumman F6F Hellcat fighter. This was why it was considered to be the best Japan's wartime fighter. Nevertheless, by the time it was introduced, it was too late, as the USA had already gained the upper hand in the war in the Pacific as Japan had lost almost all its experienced pilots.
Technical Characteristics
The Kawanish N1K1-J was single-seat, single-engine monoplane, which was built with an all-metal airframe and fuselage. The N1K1-J version, Model 11, was equipped with a cantilever, low mid-wing (set up slight below the fuselage mid-line); the N1K2-J, Model 21, on the other hand, had low wing, with a 15 degrees dihedral angle. Landing gear was retractable.
Specifications
Type: single-seat fighter
Length: 8.89 m (29 feet, 2 inches)
Wing Span: 12 m (39 feet, 4 inches)
Wing Area: 23.50 m2 (252.95 square feet)
Height: 4 m (12 feet, 11 inches)
Powerplant: one 1,990-HP, NK9H, Homare 21, radial engine.
Maximum Speed: 584 km/h (363 mph)
Range: 1,432 km (890 miles)
Armament: four 20-mm Type-99 cannons mounted in wing; two 7.7-mm Type 97 machine guns mounted in nose; two 60-kg bomb.
Below, the Kawanishi N1K1-J in late 1943.
The N1K2-J Shiden Kai version in 1945, after the war. Notice the wing is mounted low in this model.
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