Japan's Kawanishi N1K Shiden (Violent Lightning) fighter1,2
Kawanishi Interceptor Shiden (Lightning Flash)3
Kawanishi N1K2 Shiden Kai fighter bomber2
Allied Name: "George"1,2, "George 21"2
Kawanishi N1K2 Shiden, "George" fighter: |
Kawanishi N1K2 Shiden, "George" fighter: |
Kawanishi N1K2 Shiden, "George" fighter: |
Kawanishi N1K2 Shiden, "George" fighter, cockpit: |
Design
Kawanishi based the design for the N1K1-J Shiden on the N1K1 floatplane.1,2,3 Work on the design began in early 1942.2 The airframe was the basically the same.2
Undercarriage Weakness
The Shiden's undercarriage was rather weak.1,2 The retraction system was complex and caused many problems.2
Engine Issues
The Nakajima Homare radial engine's production qualities were rather poor and caused many problems.1
N1K2 Changes
In 1943 Kawanishi started making changes to the N1K1.2
The wing was lowered3 and the forward fuselage was lengthened to move the engine and center of balance forward.2 The cowling was modified.2 The tail surfaces were new.2 The frame was simplified to make construction easier and the N1K2 weighed 500 lb / 227 kg less.2
Prototype
The first prototype of the Shiden was finished in December 1942.3 The prototype of the N1K1-J first flew on December 27, 1942.1,2
The N1K1 had a Homare 11 engine (1,820 HP).2 The Homare 11 didn't deliver the power it was supposed to and it was 45 mph / 72 kph slower than anticipated.2
The mid wing also restricted pilot's vision.2 The undercarriage was shown to be very weak.2
The N1K2 prototype first flew on December 31, 1943.2,3
Production
Kawanishi started production of the N1K1-J in 1943.1
- Prototypes: 92
- N1K1-J: 9982, 1,0073
- N1K2: ~4003, 4282
- N1K2-J and N1K2-Ja: 4232
- Total: 1,0072, 1,4351
Variants
- N1K1: Cannons mounted under wings in gondolas.2
- N1K1-Ja: No nose guns.1 All cannons mounted in the wings.1 Two more 20 mm cannons mounted under the wings.2
- N1K1-Jb: Racks under the wings for two 551 lb / 250 kg bombs.1,2
- N1K1-Jc: Racks under the wings for four 551 lb / 250 kg bombs.1,2
- N1K2-J: Fighter.2 Had better landing gear.1,2 Tail surfaces were improved.1,2 Engine cowling was cleaner.1,2
- N1K2-Ja: Fighter bomber.2
- N1K2-K: Two seat trainer.2
- N1K3-J: MGs mounted in the fuselage.2
- N1K4-J: Had Homare 23 engine (2,000 HP).2
- N1K4-A: Carrier fighter.2
Usage
N1K1s started appearing in early 1944.2,3 N1K2s started being delivered in July 1944.2
It's first major action was the defense of the Philippines in October 1944.2
Held Its Own
In February 1945, Warrant Officer Kinsuke Muot of the 343rd Kokutai, fought twelve United States Navy Hellcats by himself.1,2 He shot down four of them.1,2
Production Disruption
It was planned to produce the N1K2 in eight factories, but B-29 raids disrupted production.2
| Kawanishi N1K1-J Shiden, "George"1,2 | Kawanishi N1K2-J Shiden Kai, "George 21"2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Fighter1,2 | Fighter bomber2 |
| Crew | 11,2 | 12 |
| Engine (Type) | Nakajima NK9H Homare 21 piston1,2 Homare Model 213 |
Nakajima NK9H Homare 212 |
| Cylinders | Radial 181,2 | Radial 182 |
| Cooling | ||
| Net HP | 1,8253, 1,9901,2 | 1,9902 |
| Propeller blades | 41,2 | 42 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Span | 39' 4.25"1,2 12 m1,2 |
39' 4.5"2 12 m2 |
| Length | 29' 1.75"1, 29' 2"2 8.89 m1,2 |
30' 8"2 9.35 m2 |
| Height | 13' 3 7/8"1, 13' 4"2 4.06 m1,2 |
13'2 3.96 m2 |
| Wing area | 252.95 ft2 1 23.5 m2 1 |
|
| Weight | ||
| Empty | 6,387 lb1,2 2,897 kg1,2 |
5,858 lb2 2,657 kg2 |
| Loaded | 8,598 lb2 3,900 kg2 |
8,818 lb2 4,000 kg2 |
| Maximum load | 9,526 lb1,2 4,321 kg1,2 |
10,714 lb2 4,860 kg2 |
| Performance | ||
| Speed | 574 kph3 | 595 kph3 |
| Speed @ 18,370' / 5,600 m |
369 mph2 594 kph2 |
|
| Speed @ 19,355' / 5,900 m |
363 mph1 584 kph1 |
|
| Speed @ 19,357' / 5,900 m |
363 mph2 584 kph2 |
|
| Cruising speed | 230 mph2 370 kph2 |
|
| Cruise speed @ 19,685' / 6,000 m |
230 mph2 370 kph2 |
|
| Climb | 3,300'/minute2 1,006 m/minute2 |
3,300'/minute2 1,006 m/minute2 |
| Climb to 19,685' / 6,000 m |
7.8 minutes1, 7.9 minutes2 | 7.4 minutes2 |
| Service ceiling | 41,010'1,2 12,500 m1,2 |
35,300'2 10,760 m2 |
| Range | 890 miles1,2 1,432 km1,2 |
1,066 miles2 1,715 km2 |
| Range with drop tanks | 1,581 miles2 2,544 km2 |
1,488 miles2 2,395 km2 |
| Armament | 4: 20 mm3 | |
| Nose | 2: 7.7 mm MG2 2: 7.7 mm Type 97 MG1 |
|
| Wings | 2: 20 mm2 4: 20 mm Type 991 |
4: 20 mm2 |
| Bombs | 551 lb2 250 kg2 |
Sources:
- Fighting Aircraft of World War II, Editor: Karen Leverington, 1995
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
- Japanese Naval Aces and Fighter Units in World War II, Ikuhiko Hata, Yasuho Izawa, 1989
