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Nakajima J1N1-R/F (improved version)
The Nakajima J1N1-R/F (improved version) is a Japanese prototype reconnaissance aircraft developed in 1943. It’s a heavily modified plane based on the Nakajima J1N1-R/F (version with the G5N turret). There were probably 12 Nakajima J1N1-R/F aircraft in total, which served until the end of the war. (As for the name, it’s not really Nakajima J1N1-R/F but Nakajima J1N1-R or J1N1-F; both names are correct, so I use both terms at once).
History
In the summer of 1943, tests began on the Nakajima J1N1-R/F reconnaissance plane (the version with the G5N turret), which, as Nakajima engineers warned, turned out to be a failure. However, the navy still required the creation of a new reconnaissance version of the Nakajima J1N1 that would be able to defend itself against American fighters. So, the plane was redesigned to better meet the goals set by the navy. The shape of the cockpit glazing was changed so that the turret mounted in the radio operator’s position would create less aerodynamic drag. Additionally, the awkward turret from the Nakajima G5N bomber was replaced with more streamlined turrets used on the Kawanishi H8K and Mitsubishi G4M bombers. They also decided to improve the observer’s surveillance capabilities, so the characteristic hump of the J1N1 was glazed. The modified Nakajima J1N1-R/F were tested until the fall of 1943, and after producing 12 planes, serial production was canceled because they didn’t have sufficient performance. However, the planes that were built weren’t scrapped and were definitely used for training and probably for reconnaissance missions. At least 5 Nakajima J1N1-R/F ended up in the 321st Air Group and the 210th Air Group.
Construction description
The Nakajima J1N1-R/F (improved version) is based on the Nakajima J1N1-R/F (version with the G5N turret) plane, but there are differences between them.
- The turret from the Nakajima G5N bomber was replaced with a turret from the Mitsubishi G4M2 bomber
- The shape of the cockpit glazing has been changed
- The plane’s hump was completely glazed
General characteristics
- Crew: 3
- Length: 12,17 m
- Wingspan: 16,98 m
- Height: 4,56 m
- Wing area: 40,0 m2
- Empty weight: 4700 kg
- Gross weight: 6900 kg
- Maximum Take-off Weight: 8164 kg (?)
- Powerplant: 2 × 14-cylinder, two-cylinder, air-cooled, Nakajima NK1F Sakae 21 radial piston engine, with 840 kW (1,130 hp) each
- Propellers: Three-bladed propeller with constant rotational speed with a diameter of 3,048 mm.
Performance
- Maximum speed: 507 km/h (?)
- Cruise Speed: 333 km/h
- Range: 2,544 km
- Maximum Range: 3,748 km
- Service ceiling: 9,320 m
- Time to Climb to: 9,6 min to 5000 m
- Climb Rate: ?
Armament
- Guns:
- 2 x 7.7 mm Type 92 machine guns in the nose (600 rounds per gun)
- 1 x 20 mm Cannon Type 99 Mark 2 Model 4 in the turret at the radio operator’s position
- 1 x 13,2mm Type 2 machine guns in the turret at the radio operator’s position (optional)
- Bombs:
- 2 x 30 kg bombs
- 2 x 60 kg bombs (?)
- 2 x 100 kg bombs (?)
- 2 x 250 kg bombs (?)
- Fuel dump tanks:
- 2 x 310 L dump tanks under wings
- 2 x 330 L dump tanks under wings
Armour
- 15 mm thick armor plate behind the pilot
- Self-sealing fuel tanks
Special thanks
Summary
The Nakajima J1N1-R/F (improved version) is an interesting plane for Japan in War Thunder. This plane works well as a forward-attacking fighter with machine guns, and it can also surprise enemies by firing from its turret using either a 20 mm cannon or a 13.2 mm machine gun. In the future, this plane could also be used as a reconnaissance aircraft. It, along with the Nakajima J1N1-R/F (version with the G5N turret), could fit into a shared tree, or be separate vehicles for tech tree, premium, or event use. 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
月光 (航空機) - Wikipedia
Nakajima J1N Gekkō - Wikipedia
WildEagles: Nakajima J1N1-F “Gekko”
Nakajima J1N1-R : Nakajima
www.warbirdsresourcegroup.org - Imperial Japanese Aviation Resource Center - Nakajima J1N Gekko “Moonlight”
中島 J1N1-F 二式陸上観測機(仮称) | TeamBtrb
Nakajima J1N (“Gekko”) Prototypes and Projects | Secret Projects Forum
Book sources
- 日本航空機辞典 1910年(明治43年)～1945年(昭和20年) 上巻 (Encyclopedia of Japanese Aircraft 1910 (Meiji 43) – 1945 (Showa 20), Volume 1) page 240-242
- 野沢正『日本航空機総集 中島篇』(Masaru Nozawa ‘Comprehensive Collection of Japanese Aircraft: Nakajima Volume’) page 198-205
- Japońskie Samoloty Marynarki 1912-45 część II (Japanese naval aircraft 1912-45 part II) page 110-115
- Japanese Heavy Fighters 1937-1945 , page 111-128
- Lotnictwo Wojskowe 2/1998 (Military Aviation 2/1998) page 23-39
*『日本軍用機写真集』1 (ファイター) ,文林堂, (“Japanese Military Aircraft Photo Collection 1 (Fighters)”, Bunrindo) page 218-224 - Bunrindo - Famous Airplanes of The World 57 - Nakajima J1N ‘Gekko’ Navy Type 11 Night Fighter
Bunrindo - Famous Airplanes of The World 57 - Nakajima J1N ‘Gekko’ Navy Type 11 Night Fighter | PDF | Language Arts & Discipline | Foreign Language Studies - Model-art-595-Night-fighters.pdf - Dysk Google
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