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Kawanishi N1K1-Ja (紫電一一甲型)
The Kawanishi N1K1-Ja is a Japanese interceptor created in 1944 by modifying the N1K1-J fighter. It entered production in mid-1944 and about 500 aircraft in this version were produced. This aircraft took part in the defense of the home islands until the end of the war.
History
Shortly after the development of the new N1K1-J interceptor, it was noticed that the Type 97 machine guns were not at all effective against the new American bombers (B-29) and fighters (P-47 and newer versions of the P-51). Therefore, it was decided to modify the current production model of the Kawasaki N1K1-J (incorrectly named N1K1-Ja in the game) by removing the Type 97 machine guns and replacing the Type 99 model 2 mark 3 cannons with the newer Type 99 model 2 mark 4. Switching to new cannons increased the ammo supply from 400 rounds to 480 rounds. The new version was named Kawanishi N1K1-Ja and entered production from mid-1944. The N1K1-Ja aircraft were highly effective interceptors that fought an unequal fight against the outnumbered Americans until the end of the war. Although the N1K1-Ja was an interceptor, it rarely had the opportunity to fight bombers, it more often fought enemy fighters such as the F6F Hellcat, F4U Corsair, P-51 Mustang and P-47. Japanese pilots valued these fighters very much, although they still had delicate landing gears (the landing gear problem was fixed only in the N1K2-J aircraft). About 500 Kawanishi N1K1-Ja fighters were produced, which served until the end of the war.
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Construction description
The Kawanishi N1K1-Ja is structurally identical to the Kawanishi N1K1-J (N1K1-Ja in the game), the only difference is the armament.
- The Type 97 machine guns were removed from the nose of the plane, but the engine cowling is still the same
- Replaced Type 99 model 2 mark 3 cannons in the wings with newer Type 99 model 2 mark 4 cannons
- Increased ammo capacity by 20 rounds per cannon. Instead of 400 bullets, there are now 480 shells
Cockpit Photos
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 8,85 m
- Wingspan: 12 m
- Height: 4,05 m
- Wing area: 23,50 m2
- Empty weight: 2,892 kg
- Gross weight: 3,900kg (?)
- Powerplant: 1 × Nakajima NK9H Homare 21 18-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 1,473 kW (1,975 hp)
- Propellers: Four-blade propeller with constant rotational speed with a diameter of 3,300 mm.
Performance
- Maximum speed: 582 km/h
- Cruising speed: 370 km/h
- Range: 1520 km
- Maximum Range: 2550 km
- Service ceiling: 12500 m
- Climb Rate: 12,42 m/s
- Rate of climb: 7,92 min to 6000 m
Armament
- Guns:
- 2 x Type 99 model 2 mark 4 20mm cannon in wing (120 rounds per cannon)
- 2 x Type 99 model 2 mark 4 20 mm cannon in underwing nacelle (120 rounds per cannon)
- Bombs
- 2 x 30 kg bombs
- 2 × 60 kg bombs
- 2 x 250 kg bombs (?)
- Fuel dump tanks:
- 1 x 400L Dump tank under the hull
Armour
- 12 mm thick armor plate on the pilot’s seat
- 70mm thick bulletproof glass windshield
- Self-sealing fuel tanks
Special thanks
@Rowiek
Summary
The Kawanishi N1K1-Ja is an interesting aircraft for Japan in War Thunder. This aircraft carries more ammunition than the N1K1-J version, which will allow you to fight enemy aircraft for longer. Plus, you can never have enough Kawanishi fighters in the game :). I encourage you to discuss in the comments and to share your own knowledge on this subject.
Finally, I apologize for the linguistic and logical errors because unfortunately English is not my main language and I had to use google translator.
Internet sources
紫電改 - Wikipedia
Kawanishi N1K - Wikipedia
Kawaniši N1K1-Ja 11A Šiden [George] : Kawaniši / Šin-Meiwa
Kawanishi N1K1-J Shiden (Violet Lightning) and N1K2-J Shiden Kai
Imperial Japanese Aviation Resource Center - A Warbirds Resource Group Site
Kawanishi N1K-J Shiden (George) Fighter Aircraft
N1K1J “George” fighter - Weapons and Warfare
The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia: N1K “George”, Japanese Fighter
Kawanishi N1K-J Shiden / George - fighter
Kawanishi N1K1-J / N1K2-J Shiden (George) Info
Kawanishi N1K1-J Shiden - Destination’s Journey
Уголок неба ¦ Kawanishi N1K-J Shiden
Kawanishi N1K1-J Shiden ‘George’ — avionslegendaires.net
Book sources
- Japanese Aircraft of Wolrld War II : 1937-1945 ,Thomas Newdick, Edition 2 2017, page 49,97-98
- La Aviación Japonesa en la Segunda Guerra mundial (Japanese aviation in World War II) page 222-226
Aviones Japonese | PDF | Fuerzas aéreas del ejército de los Estados Unidos | Avión de combate - Aviation - ModelArt - Kawanishi N1K1, N1K1-J, N1K2-J
(Aviation) - (ModelArt) - Kawanishi N1K1, N1K1-J, N1K2-J PDF | PDF - Bunrindo - Famous Airplanes of The World 53 - Kawanishi N1K ‘Kyofu’, Shiden, Shidenkai
Bunrindo - Famous Airplanes of The World 53 - Kawanishi N1K ‘Kyofu’, Shiden, Shidenkai | PDF - Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War page 320-329
- Technika wojskowa historia numer specjalny 3/2012 (Military Technology: History Special Issue 3/2012) page 22
Thank you for reading the suggestion, see you in the next one. Good luck pilots
