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Nakajima J1N1-Sa (月光一一甲型)
The Nakajima J1N1-Sa is an improved J1N1-S aircraft that was built in the autumn of 1944. A small number of J1N1-Sa aircraft were produced, and most of the resulting were modernization of the J1N1-S aircraft. Probably about 150 J1N1-Sa aircraft that served until the end of the war.
History
During operational operations on the J1N1-S fighters, it was noticed that the FD-1 and H-6 radars were not suitable for detecting aircraft, so efforts were made to complete the FD-2 aircraft radars as soon as possible. It was also quickly noticed that the downward-facing cannons were ineffective, so in most cases they were disposed of in the J1N1-S aircraft. When in the summer of 1944 Japanese designers managed to build a new FD-2 aircraft radar, it was decided to install it in the J1N1-S aircraft and improve this aircraft. It was decided to modify the fuselage of the aircraft to remove the unnecessary hump in which the observer was originally (version J1N1-C/R) located, and then in the J1N1-S version the cannon. Removed mounts for downward-facing 20mm cannons and added an optional mount for an additional upward-facing cannon. Very few brand new J1N1-Sa aircraft were produced due to the end of production in November/December 1944. Most of the approximately 150 J1N1-Sa aircraft are upgrades of J1N1-S aircraft. These aircraft were used to defend the Japanese home islands as the main night fighter, sometimes supported by makeshift night fighters (D4Y2-S, A6M5-S, C6N1-S (20mm), C6N1-S (30mm), P1Y1-S) or low-production night fighters (P1Y2-S), and never had a successor (S1N1). Only 40 J1N1 aircraft of all versions survived until the end of the war out of 470 produced. To this day, you can admire one well-preserved J1N1-Sa aircraft (serial number 7334), which is in the Smithsonian’s National Air Museum.
Construction description
The Nakajima J1N1-Sa is very similar to the J1N1-S, but there are a few significant differences between them, which I will present here.
- Removed the hump that was behind the cockpit
- Removed Type 99 Model 2 cannons facing downwards
- There is an FD-2 radar mounted in the nose
- Connected exhaust pipes from in engines, which causes an increase in nights at altitudes
- Increased the number of shells for Type 99 model 2 cannons from 100 to 150 shells
- Behind the two Type 99 model 2 cannons, an additional mount for an additional Type 99 cannon has been added
Comparison of J1N1-Sa with other J1N1 aircraft
Method of mounting the armament
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 12,13 m
- Wingspan: 17,0 m
- Height: 4,56 m
- Wing area: 40,0 m2
- Empty weight: 4,857 kg
- Gross weight: 7,536 kg
- Maximum Take-off Weight: 7,960 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: 535 km/h
- Cruise Speed: 333 km/h
- Range: 2,547km
- Maximum Range: 3,778 km
- Service ceiling: 9,800 m
- Time to Climb to: 9 minutes 35 seconds at an altitude of 5,000 m
Armament
- Guns:
- 2 x Type 99 Model 2 cannons behind the cockpit at 30 degrees upwards (150 rounds per gun)
- 1 x Type 99 Model 2 cannons behind the cockpit at 30 degrees upwards (150 rounds per gun)(Optional)
- Bombs:
- 2 x 30 kg bombs
- 2 x 60 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
Radar equipment
- 1 x FD-2 Radar in the Nose
Armour
- 9.5mm thick armor plate behind the pilot
Summary
The Nakajima J1N1-Sa is a very interesting aircraft for Japan in War Thunder. It is one of the rare Japanese fighters equipped with radar, which was used practically during World War II. Its small arms are interestingly placed, and thanks to the ability to carry two bombs weighing 250 kg, it will be useful in land battles. 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 - Wikipedia
Nakadžima J1N1-Sa Gekkó [Irving] : Nakadžima (valka.cz)
Nakajima J1N1-S Gekko & your name on the side of a cockpit (substack.com)
www.warbirdsresourcegroup.org - Imperial Japanese Aviation Resource Center - Nakajima J1N Gekko “Moonlight”
Nakajima J1N1-S Gekko (Moonlight) IRVING | Smithsonian Institution (si.edu)
夜間戦闘機 『月光』/中島Nakajima J1N | 大日本帝国軍 主要兵器 (japanese-warship.com)
中岛“月光”夜间战斗机开发简史_凤凰网 (ifeng.com)
Nakajima J1N Gekko (aviadejavu.ru)
Nakajima J1N (“Gekko”) Prototypes and Projects | Secret Projects Forum
Уголок неба ¦ Nakajima J1N Gekko (airwar.ru)
Nakajima J1N Gekko (Moonlight) (combinedfleet.com)
Nakajima J1N Gekko / IRVING - escort, night fighter (aviastar.org)
Nakajima J1N1-S “Gekko” (Irving) (aviation-history.com)
J1N Night Fighter - Irving, Nakajima (airpages.ru)
Book sources
- Fuerzas aéreas del ejército de los Estados Unidos - page 346-349
Aviones Japonese | PDF | Fuerzas aéreas del ejército de los Estados Unidos | Avión de combate (scribd.com) - Manual on Japanese aircraft, TAIC No. 1, July 1945. Report No. 9-a(43), USSBS Index Section 6 (文書名:Records of the U.S. Strategic Bombing Survey ; Entry 46, Security-Classified Intelligence Library. 1932-1947. 65 ft = 米国戦略爆撃調査団文書 ; 各種日本関係情報) (課係名等:Intelligence Branch ; Library and Target Data Division) (シリーズ名:Intelligence, Air: General) - 国立国会図書館デジタルコレクション (ndl.go.jp)
- Model-art-595-Night-fighters.pdf - Dysk Google
- Japanese Aircraft of Wolrld War II : 1937-1945 ,Thomas Newdick, Edition 2 2017, page 43,97
