N1K1: 6 May 1942 [1] N1K1-J: 27 December 1942 [2] N1K2-J: 31 December 1943 [3]
Introduction
1943
Retired
1945
Primary user
Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service
Number built
1,532 [4]
The Kawanishi N1K was an Imperial Japanese Navy fighter aircraft, developed in two forms: the N1K Kyōfū (強風, "Strong Wind", Allied reporting name "Rex"), a floatplane designed to support forward offensive operations where no airstrips were available, and the N1K-J Shiden (紫電, "Violet Lightning", reporting name "George"), a land-based version of the N1K. 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.[5][6]
An improved variant, the N1K2-J "Shiden-Kai" (紫電改) first flew on 1 January 1944. The Shiden Kai possessed heavy armament, as well as surprisingly good maneuverability, due to a mercury switch that automatically extended the flaps during turns. These "combat" flaps created more lift, thereby allowing tighter turns. Unlike the Mitsubishi A6M Zero, the Shiden Kai could compete against the best late-war Allied fighters, such as the F6F Hellcat, F4U Corsair, and P-51 Mustang.[7]
^Francillon 1979, p. 318.
^Francillon 1979, p. 321.
^Francillon 1979, p. 325.
^Francillon 1979, p. 329.
^Francillon 1971, p. 58.
^Francillon 1979, p. 323.
^"Fact Sheets: Kawanishi N1K2-Ja Shiden Kai." National Museum of the US Air Force. Retrieved: 23 November 2015.
The KawanishiN1K was an Imperial Japanese Navy fighter aircraft, developed in two forms: the N1K Kyōfū (強風, "Strong Wind", Allied reporting name "Rex")...
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was also equipped with automatic combat flaps, used earlier on the KawanishiN1K-J, significantly improving maneuverability.[citation needed] In June...
company Kawanishi Kōkūki KK in the early 1940s. A further development was the Kawanishi J6K. The J3K was developed in parallel to the KawanishiN1K-J Shiden...
requested the Kawanishi Aircraft Company produce a replacement for the company's Kawanishi E5K. The resulting design, designated the Kawanishi E7K1, was an...
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against the Mitsubishi A6M Zero and 6:1 against the Nakajima Ki-84, KawanishiN1K-J, and Mitsubishi J2M combined during the last year of the war. The...
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appeared in early 1944. A formidable opponent for the Hellcat was the KawanishiN1K, but it was produced too late and in insufficient numbers to affect...
or 'Japanese Mustang', approximately 6 to 18 aircraft were obtained KawanishiN1K Japan floatplane fighter N1K1 approximately 4 aircraft were obtained...
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trained kamikaze pilots and prepared to take part in an attack himself. KawanishiN1K Kyōfū floatplanes were used for the training but because of multiple...
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Japan began to produce new fighters such as the Nakajima Ki-84 and the KawanishiN1K to replace the Zero, but only in small numbers, and by then Japan lacked...