Kawanishi N1K Kyōfū "Rex" / N1K-J Shiden "George"

Experimental model of the N1K2-J featuring a cleaner, redesigned engine cowling.

The Kawanishi N1K is an Imperial Japanese Navy fighter aircraft, developed in two forms: the N1K Kyōfū ("Strong Wind", Allied reporting name "Rex"), a floatplane designed to support forward offensive operations where no airstrips were available, and the N1K-J Shiden ("Violet Lightning", reporting name "George"), a land-based version of the N1K. The N1K-J was considered by both its pilots and opponents to be one of the finest land-based fighters flown by the Japanese during World War II.

An improved variant, the N1K2-J "Shiden-Kai" first flew on 1 January 1944. The Shiden Kai possessed heavy armament, as well as surprisingly good maneuverability, due to a mercury switch that automatically extended the flaps during turns. These "combat" flaps created more lift, thereby allowing tighter turns. 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. 

Kawanishi's N1K was originally built as a single pontoon floatplane fighter to support forward offensive operations where no airstrips were available, but by 1943 when the aircraft entered service, Japan was firmly on the defensive, and there was no longer a need for a fighter to fulfill this role. The Navy's requirements for this fighter were nearly impossible to achieve for a float plane, and the expected protracted development period led Nakajima to develop an interim float plane fighter based on the Zero, the Nakajima A6M2-N. In the end, the Kyofu only saw limited service, mostly in Southeast Asia. A number were flown out of Ambon and the Aru Islands in the Moluccas, while some were stationed at Penang Island, off the Malayan peninsula. They were also used in the Battle of Okinawa. Towards the end of the war, Kyofus were also used in the homeland defense role, operating from Lake Biwa by the Sasebo Air Corps and the Ōtsu Air Corps.

The N1K was powered by the Mitsubishi MK4C Kasei 13 14-cylinder radial engine. Top speed was 489 km/h (304 mph); considerably less than the unrealistic Navy 310 kn (574 km/h; 357 mph) requirement. 

The requirement to carry a bulky, heavy float essentially crippled the N1K against contemporary American fighters. However, Kawanishi engineers had proposed in late 1941 that the N1K would also be the basis of a formidable land-based fighter, and a land-based version was produced as a private venture by the company. This version flew on 27 December 1942, powered by a Nakajima NK9A Homare 11 18-cylinder radial engine, replacing the less powerful MK4C Kasei 13 of the N1K-1. The aircraft retained the mid-mounted wing of the floatplane; combined with the large propeller, this necessitated a long, stalky main landing gear. A unique feature was the aircraft's combat flaps that automatically adjusted in response to acceleration, freeing up the pilot's concentration and reducing the chance of stalling in combat. The N1K did have temperamental flight characteristics, however, that required an experienced touch at the controls.

The Nakajima Homare was powerful, but had been rushed into production before it was sufficiently developed, and proved troublesome. Another problem was landing gear failure due to poor heat treatment of the wheels. Apart from engine problems and the landing gear, the flight test program showed that the aircraft was promising. Prototypes were evaluated by the Navy, and since the aircraft was faster than the Zero and had a much longer range than the Mitsubishi J2M Raiden, it was ordered into production as the N1K1-J, the -J indicating a land-based fighter modification of the original floatplane fighter.

Only four days after the Shiden's first test flight, a complete redesign began. The N1K2-J addressed the N1K1-J's major defects, primarily the mid-mounted wing and long landing gear. The wings were moved to a low position, which permitted the use of a shorter, conventional undercarriage. The fuselage was lengthened and the tail redesigned. The production of the entire aircraft was simplified: over a third of the parts used in the previous Shiden could still be used in its successor, while construction used fewer critical materials. The N1K1 redesign was approximately 250 kg (550 lb) lighter, while faster and more reliable than its predecessor. The Homare engine was retained, even though reliability problems persisted, as no alternative was available. A prototype of the new version flew on 1 January 1944. After completing Navy trials in April, the N1K2-J was rushed into production. This variant was named the "Shiden-Kai", with Kai meaning modified. 

The N1K1-J Shiden entered service in early 1944. The N1K1-J and the N1K2 Shiden-Kai released later that year were among the rare Japanese aircraft that offered pilots an even chance against late-war American designs, such as the F6F Hellcat and the F4U Corsair, and could be a formidable weapon in the hands of an ace. In February 1945, Ensign Kaneyoshi Muto, flying an N1K2-J as part of a mixed formation of at least 10 Japanese aircraft, faced seven U.S. Navy Hellcat pilots from squadron VF-82 in the sky over Japan; the formation shot down four Hellcats with no loss to themselves. After the action, Japanese propagandists fabricated a story in which Muto was the sole airman facing 12 enemy aircraft. (A leading Japanese ace, Saburō Sakai, later asserted in his autobiography that Muto had done this feat at an earlier stage of the war – albeit at the controls of a Zero fighter.)

The N1K1-J aircraft were used very effectively over Formosa (Taiwan), the Philippines, and, later, Okinawa. Before production was switched to the improved N1K2-J, 1,007 aircraft, including prototypes, were produced. Because of production difficulties and damage done by B-29 raids on factories, only 415 of the superior N1K2-J fighters were produced.

The N1K2-J Shiden-Kai proved to be one of the best dogfighting aircraft produced by either side. Along with high speed, the Shiden-Kai offered pilots an agile aircraft with a roll rate of 82°/sec at 386 km/h (240 mph), backing four powerful 20 mm cannons in the wings. As a bomber interceptor, the N1K2-J fared less well, hampered by a poor rate of climb and a reduced engine performance at high altitude.

343 Kōkūtai

The N1K2-J Shiden-Kai offered a formidable, if demanding, aircraft in limited quantities. As a result, the planes were distributed to elite naval fighter units such as 343 Kōkūtai ("343rd Naval Air Group"), constituted on 25 December 1944 and commanded by Minoru Genda. The new Kōkūtai included some of Japan's most experienced fighter pilots, such as Naoshi Kanno and Saburo Sakai. The unit received the best available naval equipment, such as the Nakajima C6N Saiun, codenamed "Myrt" long-range reconnaissance aircraft.

On 18 March 1945, one of the "Myrts" spotted U.S. carriers en route to Japan. The following morning, Shiden aircraft flown by 343 Kōkūtai intercepted 300 American aircraft. Many of the Shiden forces were N1K2s. When the Shidens encountered Grumman F6F Hellcats from USN Fighter Bomber Squadron 17 (VBF-17), three aircraft were lost on both sides in the initial attack: one Hellcat and two Shidens were shot down by enemy ground fire, two fighters collided in mid-air, and one Hellcat crashed while trying to land. Another Shiden dived on a Hellcat group and downed another one. Ultimately, the Hikōtai lost six fighters versus eight VBF-17 fighters on the other side. 

Another noted encounter pitted the N1K against the Vought F4U Corsair; two Corsairs from VBF-10, accidentally separated from their main formations, were attacked by Shidens from the 343rd. Four N1K2s were shot down. The Corsairs returned to their carrier, USS Bunker Hill. A second encounter took place when pilots flying Shidens initially mistook Corsairs from Marine Fighter Squadron 123 (VMF-123) for Hellcats and attacked. A 30-minute aerial duel ensued, in which three Corsairs were shot down, and another five were damaged. Three other F4Us returned to their carriers and were so heavily damaged that the planes were scrapped. No Shidens were lost to Corsairs in that aerial battle. Losses for the Japanese N1K pilots occurred in a related action. However, two Shidens were shot down upon return for landing by Hellcats of Fighting Squadron 9 (VF-9). At the same time, many more Shidens were destroyed by American fighters over another airfield where low on fuel, their pilots tried to land. The 343rd claimed 52 kills, and the U.S. squadrons 63. The losses were 15 Shidens and 13 pilots, a "Myrt", its three-person crew, and nine other Japanese fighters. The U.S. also took heavy losses: 14 fighters and seven pilots, plus 11 attack aircraft. Five days later, an unofficial award was sent to 343rd Kōkūtai for the bravery shown on 19 March.

On 12 April 1945, another fierce battle involved the 343rd during the mass kamikaze attack on Kikusui N.2. The Japanese recorded several kills but suffered 12 losses out of 34 aircraft. On 4 May, another 24 Shidens were sent to Kikusui N.5.

In every encounter with enemy fighters, the Shiden, especially the Kai version, proved to be a capable dogfighter with a potent combination of firepower, agility, and rugged structure. The premier unit flying the Shiden, 343rd Kōkūtai, remained operational until overwhelming unit losses obliged the group to stand down. The 343rd was disbanded on 14 August 1945 when the Emperor ordered surrender.

Variants

N1K1 Kyofu

• N1K1: Standard type as floatplane, which was used from early 1943, with Mitsubishi MK4C Kasei 13 engine.
• N1K2: Reserved name for an intended model with larger engine, not built.

N1K1-J Shiden

• N1K1-J Prototypes: development of fighter hydroplane N1K1 Kyofu, with 1,820 hp Homare 11 engine.
• N1K1-J Shiden Model 11: Navy Land Based Interceptor, first production model with 1,990 hp Homare 21 engine and revised cover, armed with two 7.7 mm Type 97 machine guns and two 20 mm Type 99 cannons. Modified total-vision cockpit.
• N1K1-Ja Shiden Model 11A: without frontal 7.7 mm Type 97s, with only four 20 mm Type 99s in wings.
• N1K1-Jb Shiden Model 11B: similar to Model 11A amongst load two 250 kg bombs, revised wing weapons.
• N1K1-Jc Shiden Model 11C: definitive fighter-bomber version, derived from Model 11B. Four bomb racks under wings.
• N1K1-J Kai a: Experimental version with auxiliary rocket. One Model 11 conversion.
• N1K1-J Kai b: Conversion for dive bombing. One 250 kg bomb under belly and six rockets under wings.

N1K2-J Shiden-Kai

• N1K2-J Prototypes: N1K1-Jb redesigned. Low wings, engine cover and landing gear modified. New fuselage and tail, 8 built.
• N1K2-J Shiden Kai Model 21: Navy Land Based Interceptor, first model of series with a Nakajima Homare 21 engine.
• N1K2-Ja Shiden KAI Model 21A: Fighter Interceptor version: 2,000 hp Homare 21-18 engine with a low wing and larger prop design with four 250 kg ground bombs. Fixed problem with teething pains of N1K2 J at high altitude.
• N1K2-K Shiden Kai Rensen 1, Model A: Fighter Trainer, modified from N1K-J Series with two seats, operative or factory conversions.

Further Variants

• N1K3-J Shiden Kai 1, Model 31: Prototypes: Engines displaced to ahead, two 13.2 mm Type 3 machine guns in front, 2 built.
• N1K3-A Shiden Kai 2, Model 41: Prototypes: Carrier-based version of N1K3-J, 2 built.
• N1K4-J Shiden Kai 3, Model 32: Prototypes: 2,000 hp Homare 23 engine, 2 built.
• N1K4-A Shiden Kai 4, Model 42: Prototype: Experimental conversion of N1K4-J example with equipment for use in carriers, 1 built.
• N1K5-J Shiden Kai 5, Model 25: High-Altitude Interceptor version with Mitsubishi HA-43 (MK9A) with 2,200 takeoff hp, project only. 

Surviving Aircraft

All four surviving Shiden Kai aircraft are now displayed in American and Japanese museums, while all three surviving Kyofu aircraft are displayed/stored in American museums.

One N1K2-J (s/n 5128, tail code A343-19) is at the National Naval Aviation Museum at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida.

The second N1K2-Ja (s/n 5312), a fighter-bomber variant equipped with wing mounts to carry bombs, is on display in the Air Power gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio. This aircraft was displayed outside for many years in a children's playground in San Diego, suffering considerable corrosion, and had become seriously deteriorated. In 1959 it was donated to the Museum through the cooperation of the San Diego Squadron of the Air Force Association. In October 2008 the aircraft was returned to display following an extensive eight year restoration. Many parts had to be reverse engineered by the Museum's restoration staff. Four different aircraft serial numbers were found on parts throughout the airframe, indicating reassembly from three different wrecks brought back to the U.S. for examination, or wartime assembly or repair from parts obtained from three different aircraft. Serial number 5312 was found in the most locations, and is the number now cited. This N1K2-Ja is painted as an aircraft in the Yokosuka Kōkūtai, an evaluation and test unit. This is indicated by the tail code (Yo)ヨ-105.

The third example (s/n 5341, tail code A343-35) is owned by the National Air and Space Museum but was restored by the Champlin Fighter Museum at Falcon Field, Mesa, Arizona, in return for the right to display the aircraft at Falcon Field for 10 years after restoration. It currently is on display at the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.

The fourth authentic Shiden-Kai is displayed in a local museum at Nanreku Misho Koen in Ehime Prefecture, Shikoku, Japan. This aircraft is known to be from the 343rd Kōkūtai, as the unit flew sorties in the area, but the tail code is unknown as it was partially restored from a corroded wreck recovered from the sea. After an aerial battle on July 24, 1945, its pilot ditched the aircraft in the waters of the Bungo Channel, but he was never found; by the time of the aircraft's recovery from the seabed on July 14, 1979, he could be identified only as one of six pilots from the 343rd squadron who disappeared that day. Photographs of the six—including Takashi Oshibuchi, commander of the 701 Hikōtai, and Kaneyoshi Muto—are displayed under the aircraft engine. In 2019, the aircraft was restored to non-flying condition.

N1K1 Kyōfū (s/n 514) is in storage at the National Air and Space Museum's Paul E. Garber Preservation, Restoration, and Storage Facility in Suitland, Maryland.

N1K1 Kyōfū (s/n 562) is located on display at the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredricksburg, Texas.

N1K1 Kyōfū (s/n 565), formerly displayed at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove, Horsham Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, stored at the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida. Now being restored by American Aero Services, New Smyrna Beach, Florida, for the American Heritage Museum in Stow, Massachusetts. 

N1K2-J Shiden-Kai (George 21).

N1K2-J.

N1K1-J.

N1K2-J destroyed by the Japanese on the ground to prevent its capture.

 A Kawanishi N1K2-Ja Shiden Kai ("George") prior to restoration at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

Kawanishi N1K1 "Rex" floatplane fighter photographed by the Japanese Navy prior to 1945.

1045:  A Kawanishi N1K Shiden, Allied code name George (probably N1K4-J Shiden Kai Model 32 - only two prototypes were built).

Captured Kawanishi N1K2-Js having their Homare engines run up by former IJNAS groundcrew.

2007: Kawanishi N1K2-J Shiden Kai, Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola, Florida.

The 343 Kōkūtai's Shiden-Kai, discovered on November 18, 1978, in Jyoen Hisayoshi Bay. The aircraft is displayed at Nanreku Misho Koen, Ehime Prefecture, Japan. It is possible that it is the one was flown by ace-pilot Kaneyoshi Muto.

N1K1 Kyōfū (s/n 562) at the National Museum of the Pacific War.

1945: Kanno's Shidenn Kai 21.

Circa 1946-1947:  U.S. Navy Ensign Philiip F. Kelly pictured with a captured Kawanishi N1K2-J "George" at Naval Air Station Willow Grove, Pennsylvania.

 Kawanishi N1K4.

N1K2 Shiden Kai 21.

Kawanishi N1K2 at the National Museum U.S. Air Force.

Kawanishi N1K2-J at the National Museum of Naval Aviation.

Kawanishi N1K2-J at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.

1949:  A captured Japanese Kawanishi N1K1 Kyofu (Allied code name "Rex") is put to mothballs at the Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia.

N1K1 with contra-rotating prop.

January 1946: Corporal Ralph Hayden and Leading Aircraftman Harry Pearce of No. 80 Squadron RAF amongst parts of a Mitsubishi F1M, bearing Indonesian markings, at an airfield and seaplane base in Surabaya (Soerabaja), Java. In the background are Kawanishi N1K floatplanes.

1945: A Kawanishi N1K1-J "George" painted in the markings of the Army Air Forces Technical Air Intelligence Unit, Southwest Pacific Area pictured on the ground.

 Kawanishi N1K1-J "Shiden" Model 11 operated by Chief Petty Officer Kōji Ōhara, Yokosuka Kokutai.

Kawanishi N1K2-J Shiden, serial number 7102, TAIC-SWPA, S9, at Clark Field, Luzon, Philippines, 1945.

Kawanishi N1K1 Kyufu floatplane, IJNAF.

Kawanishi N1K1 Kyufu, serial number unknown.  One shipped to the USA after the war was designated USAAF FE-324.  It was scrapped at Park Ridge, circa 1950. 

Kawanishi N1K1 Kyufu, serial number 565, when it was on display at NAS Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. This aircraft is now with the National Museum of Naval Aviation, Pensacola, Florida.

Kawanishi N1K2-Ja Shiden Kai.

Prototype N1K1.

N1K1.

N1K1.

N1K1.

N1K1.

N1K1.

N1K1.

N1K1.

N1K1.

N1K1.

N1K1.

N1K1.

N1K1.

N1K1.

N1K1.

N1K1.

N1K1.

N1K1.

N1K1.

N1K1.

N1K1 cockpit.

N1K1.

N1K1.