Kawanishi N1K

Overview

The Kawanishi N1K was an Imperial Japanese Navy fighter aircraft which was developed in two variants. The N1K Kyōfū (強風, Strong Wind) (Allied reporting name Rex), a floatplane designed to support forward offensive operations where no airstrips were available. The N1K-J Shiden (紫電, Violet Lightning) (reporting name George), a land-based version of the N1K. Contemporary pilots and Allied reports praised the N1K-J’s performance, noting its high speed and maneuverability compared with other Japanese fighters of the period. The improved N1K2-J Shiden Kai (紫電改) made its first flight on 1 January 1944. It carried four 20 mm cannons and used an automatic flap-extension mechanism, operated by a mercury-tilt sensor, to enhance lift during tight turns. These automatically deploying flaps increased wing lift during high-G maneuvers, allowing tighter turn radii without additional pilot input. 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.