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Kawanishi N1K4-A Model 42 (試製紫電改四)
The Kawanishi N1K4-A is a prototype carrier-based fighter developed at the end of 1944.This airplane was probably created from a third unfinished prototype of the Kawanishi N1K4-J (by the way, I want to apologize for the incorrect information in the suggestion about the Kawanishi N1K4-J).
History
In mid-1944, work began at Kawanishi factories on a new version of the Kawanishi N1K, which was to be based on the simultaneously developed Kawanishi N1K3-J and was to be equipped with a more reliable Nakajima NK9H-S Homare 23 (Ha-45-23) engine. For the new Kawanishi model, which was designated N1K4-J, just like with the Kawanishi N1K3-J, it was decided to also build a carrier-based version. By mid-1944, the Japanese Navy had been depleted of carrier-based aircraft (some aircraft carriers at that time served as transport ships because there were no more planes), and the most powerful aircraft carrier, Shinano, was nearing completion. It was decided to convert one of the developing N1K4-J prototypes into a carrier-based aircraft. The modifications to the aircraft included upgrading the N1K2-J to N1K4-J standard (new engine, armament, fuselage modification) and implementing modifications for carrier landings. The Kawanishi N1K4-A aircraft was completed at the end of 1944 (before the Kawanishi N1K4-J fighter) and probably after the sinking of the aircraft carrier Shinano. At that time, the remaining Japanese aircraft carriers had decks that were too short for the Kawanishi aircraft to operate from. It is unknown whether this aircraft was tested in the air. The further fate of the Kawanishi N1K4-A is unknown, but it might have been destroyed in a bombing raid or possibly converted back into a Kawanishi N1K4-J (it is uncertain whether the N1K4-A was created from the third unfinished N1K4-J, or if it was the second N1K4-J prototype and, after the sinking of Shinano, did not revert back to it).
Construction description
The Kawanishi N1K4-A is similar to the Kawanishi N1K3-A, but there is an important difference between them. The N1K4-A uses a Nakajima NK9H-S, Homare 23 (Ha-45-23) air-cooled, two-row, 18-cylinder engine with a takeoff power of 1,471 kW (2,000 hp) instead of the Nakajima NK9H, Homare 21 (Ha-45-21) air-cooled, two-row, 18-cylinder engine with a takeoff power of 1,471 kW (2,000 hp). Additionally, the Kawanishi N1K4-A is slightly lighter (about 30 kg).
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 9,49 m
- Wingspan: 12 m
- Height: 3,96 m
- Wing area: 23,50 m2
- Empty weight: 2625 kg
- Gross weight: 4850 kg
- Powerplant: 1 × Nakajima NK9H-S, Homare 23 (Ha-45-23) air-cooled, two-row, 18-cylinder engine with a takeoff power of 1,471 kW (2,000 hp)
- Propellers: Four-bladed fixed-speed VDM 4 propeller with a diameter of 3,300 mm.
Performance
- Maximum speed: 583 km/h
- Cruise Speed: 370 km/h
- Range: 1700 km
- Maximum Range: 2250 km
- Service ceiling: 11200 m
- Climb Rate: 13,64 m/s
- Time to Climb to: 7,48 min to 6000 m
Armament
- Guns:
- 4 x Type 99 Model 2 20mm cannons in the wings (probably 900 rounds)
- 2 x Type 3 Model 1 Machine Guns caliber 13.2mm in nose (600 rounds)
- Bombs:
- 4 x 30 kg bombs
- 4 x 50 kg bombs
- 2 × 250 kg bombs
- Rocket:
- 2 x Type 3 No.1 Mod.28 Mk.1 rockets (?)
- 2 x Type 5 No.1 Mod.9 rockets (?)
- 2 x Type 3 No.6 Mod.27 Mk.1 rockets (?)
- 2 x Type 5 No.6 Mod.9 rockets (?)
- Fuel dump tanks
- 1 x 400 l in additional tanks
Armour
- 12 mm pilot seat (?)
- 70mm thick bulletproof glass (?)
Additional equipment
- Self-sealing fuel tanks (?)
- Engine fire extinguisher and fuel tank fire extinguisher (?)
Special thanks
Summary
The Kawanishi N1K4-A is an interesting aircraft for Japan in War Thunder. This carrier-based fighter has tremendous firepower and good ground support capabilities (for a Japanese aircraft). It also has decent performance in the air. This aircraft could be added to the game, for example, as a folder with other prototype Kawanishi N1Ks (N1K3-J, N1K3-A, N1K4-J, and N1K5-J) or to the folder with N1K3-A since both are carrier-based fighters, or it could be a premium or event aircraft. 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 N1K4-A 42 Šiden KAI 3 [George] : Kawaniši / Šin-Meiwa
Warplanes of Japan: Kawanishi N1K
Kawanishi N1K1-J Shiden (Violet Lightning) and N1K2-J Shiden Kai
Уголок неба ¦ Kawanishi N1K-J Shiden
Imperial Japanese Aviation Resource Center - A Warbirds Resource Group Site
Book sources
- Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War page 320-329
- Japanese Aircraft of Wolrld War II : 1937-1945 ,Thomas Newdick, Edition 2 2017, page 49
- Lotnictwo 8/2021 (aviation 8/2021) page 94
- Technika wojskowa historia numer specjalny 4/2012 (Military Technology: History Special Issue 4/2012) page 6-7
- 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 - Japońskie Samoloty Marynarki 1912-45 część II (Japanese naval aircraft 1912-45 part II) page 127-128
- 野沢正『日本航空機総集 川西・広廠篇』出版協同社 - page 156
Thank you for reading the suggestion, see you in the next one. Good luck pilots
