N1K2-J

This page is about the Japanese fighter N1K2-J. For other variants, see N1K (Family).

N1K2-J

N1K1-Ja

N1K2-Ja

N1K2-J

N1K1-Ja

N1K2-Ja

Japan

IV Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
5.7	6.0	6.0

Class:

Fighter

Research:35 000

Purchase:210 000

Show in game

Description

The N1K2-J, designated as Shiden-Kai (紫電改), was developed very shortly after the N1K1-J Shiden was accepted into service, addressing most of the flaws of the previous model. The wings were moved to a low position, which permitted the use of a shorter, conventional undercarriage. The fuselage was lengthened and the tail was redesigned. The production of the entire aircraft was simplified; it was lighter by 250 kg, faster, and more reliable than its predecessor. Although engine issues were still a problem, the Homare couldn't be replaced as there was simply no alternative.

It has been in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.27. The Shiden-Kai is a challenging aircraft to master. It has superior maneuverability over early jets, but they have a significant speed advantage. The only jet that can rival its agility is the Yak-15, but it suffers from low speed, climb rate, and ammunition. The N1K2-J can easily outperform most conventional propeller planes, but it faces difficulties against other superprops, which have better overall performance. The N1K2-J should rely on its mid-speed handling to gain the upper hand in dogfights. In ground battles, it can excel as a fighter-bomber employing two 250 kg bombs or Type 5 rockets next to its four 20 mm cannons which can load a solid belt of AP which can reliably destroy soft targets and top-down medium armoured vehicles.

Nicknames

• Official Designation: 紫電改 (Shiden-Kai, "Violet Lightning, Improved")
• Allied reporting name: George

General info

Flight performance

Max speed

at 6 000 m650 km/h

Turn time19 s

Max altitude11 000 m

EngineNakajima Homare 21

TypeRadial

Cooling systemAir

Take-off weight4 t

Cockpit features good all-round visibility. The quite high mounted gun-sight allows for good sight in deflection shots, if a bit of rudder and aileron are applied.

The N1K2-J is a versatile plane that has its great acceleration and rate of climb as the main advantage. It lacks the impressive low-speed manoeuvrability of its preceding plane in the Japanese research tree, but it can still turn against most of its fighter opposition and win the engagement. The N1K2-J's battle rating presents the potential challenge of flying against fighter jets, against which N1K pilots will have to use their high sustained rate of climb, not to be left low and vulnerable against faster enemies, as well as to use their turning ability far superior to that of the average jet.

Characteristics	Max Speed (km/h at 6,000 m)		Max altitude (metres)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (metres/second)		Take-off run (metres)
	AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
Stock	609	594	11000	19.4	20.5	11.7	14.2	300
Upgraded	675	650		18.5	19.0	23.2	18.2

Details

Features
Combat flaps	Take-off flaps	Landing flaps	Air brakes	Arrestor gear
✓	✓	✓	X	X

Limits
Wings (km/h)	Gear (km/h)	Flaps (km/h)			Max Static G
		Combat	Take-off	Landing	+	-
0	450	498	469	320	~12	~10

Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons	Rudder	Elevators	Radiator
< 430	< 460	< 400	> 324

Survivability and armour

Crew1 person

Speed of destruction

Structural0 km/h

Gear450 km/h

• 70 mm Bulletproof glass - Armoured windscreen
• 12 mm Steel plate in pilot's seat
• Engine fire system (EFS)

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB2 968 → 3 988

RB7 069 → 9 500

SB10 566 → 14 200

Total cost of modifications61 800

102 600

Talisman cost1 800

Crew training61 000

Experts210 000

Aces1 200

Research Aces570 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

100 / 240 / 510 %

178 / 178 / 178 %

Modifications

Flight performance	Survivability	Weaponry
Fuselage repair Research: 4 100 Cost: 6 800 310 Radiator Research: 4 100 Cost: 6 800 310 Airframe Research: 3 500 Cost: 5 800 260 Compressor Research: 3 500 Cost: 5 800 260 Wings repair Research: 3 100 Cost: 5 200 230 Engine Research: 3 100 Cost: 5 200 230 Cover Research: 4 000 Cost: 6 600 300 Engine injection Research: 4 000 Cost: 6 600 300	EFS Research: 4 000 Cost: 6 600 300	7 in (mod20) Research: 4 100 Cost: 6 800 310 Type 3 No.1 Mod.28 Mk.1 rockets Research: 3 500 Cost: 5 800 260 Type 5 No.1 Mod.9 rockets Research: 3 500 Cost: 5 800 260 type99mk2_belt_pack Research: 3 100 Cost: 5 200 230 12 in (mod30) Research: 3 100 Cost: 5 200 230 Type 3 No.6 Mod.27 Mk.1 rockets Research: 3 100 Cost: 5 200 230 type99mk2_new_gun Research: 4 000 Cost: 6 600 300 Type 5 No.6 Mod.9 rockets Research: 4 000 Cost: 6 600 300

Top speed and acceleration is an issue with the stock aircraft, so flight performance modules such as compressor, engine and engine injection should be highly prioritized. Following the flight performance modules, survivability modules are recommended to help alleviate the weak airframe of the N1K2. Offensive 20 mm belts and new cannons should be the next acquired, as the stock Type 99 cannons are quite underwhelming and their stock belts are equally poor. Once upgraded however, the Type 99 cannons are excellent all-rounder weapons. Recommended belts are either the always good Universal, or Stealth if the pilot is familiar with the cannons and prefers a sneakier approach.

Armaments

Offensive armament

Weapon 14 x 20 mm Type 99 Model 2 cannon

Ammunition900 rounds

Fire rate490 shots/min

The N1K2-J is armed with:

• 4 x 20 mm Type 99 Model 2 cannons, wing-mounted (200 + 250 rpg each wing = 900 total)

The Type 99 Model 2 cannons are very middle-of-the-road weapons that the pilot should be quite accustomed to by the time they reach the Shiden-Kai. They are not outstanding at anything but not bad at anything either, allowing it to fill most niches accordingly. However, the cannons on the Shiden-Kai are noteworthy for being armed with a ludicrous 900 rounds of ammunition, holding some of the most rounds of any cannon-armed single-engine fighter in the game, being only surpassed by Japan's own J6K1.

Suspended armament

List of setups (6)

Setup 12 x 60 kg Navy Type 97 Number 6 ground bomb

Setup 22 x 250 kg Navy Type 98 Number 25 bomb

Setup 32 x Type 3 No.1 Mod.28 Mk.1 rockets

Setup 42 x Type 5 No.1 Mod.9 rockets

Setup 52 x Type 3 No.6 Mod.27 Mk.1 rockets

Setup 62 x Type 5 No.6 Mod.9 rockets

The N1K2-J can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

• Without load
• 2 x 60 kg Navy Type 97 Number 6 bombs (120 kg total)
• 2 x 250 kg Navy Type 98 Number 25 bombs (500 kg total)
• 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

The N1K2-J can carry a number of additional loadouts under the wings. The rockets were designed for anti-air usage versus bombers, however they are quite inaccurate and only one salvo can be fired in RB/SB. Make sure to select a detonation range before spawning in. Feel free to experiment, 300-700 m are common values. The bigger 250 kg bombs are useful in long enduring games, where few players are left and victory is determined by the last ground units. Ignore the 60 kg, your cannons will do more damage in the long run.

Usage in battles

The N1K2-J is a very tricky aircraft to use. It can face early jet fighters such as the F-80A-5, Yak-15/17, He 162, J/A21R, and in Arcade, the F-84B-26. These jet aircraft hold a hefty speed advantage over the Shiden-Kai, but typically have very poor manoeuvrability, meaning the N1K pilot can abuse its excellent handling at medium speeds and shred the previously mentioned jets if their pilots are foolish enough to try and turn-fight. The one exception to this is the Yak-15, which retains the turning abilities of its airframe; the Yak-3. However, the Yak-15 suffers from a relatively low top speed and climb rate for a jet, along with sub-par vertical energy retention. Above all those, its ammunition pool is abysmal at only 120 rounds total, meaning the N1K2 pilot could potentially win an engagement just by remaining difficult to hit.

Although it can fight admirably against jets, the N1K2-J will find itself coming up short against many of the other nation's top tier superprops. It cannot keep up with the P-51H, F4U-4B, F8F, I-225, La-9, Tempests, Griffon Spitfires, G.56, late Bf 109s, or Fw 190 D's of its tier. Fortunately, most of the previously mentioned aircraft cannot turn with the N1K2, so the Shiden-Kai can use its superb mid-speed manoeuvrability to turn circles around its opponents. The main exception to this is the uncommon G.56, which is the closest thing the N1K2 has to a hard counter. It can turn with it, outspeed it, out-dive it, beat it in an energy fight and shred it with the triad of 20 mm MG 151s, so it is highly recommended to either avoid the G.56 or take it out while it's preoccupied with a teammate.

The N1K2-J can take on a relatively new role for Japanese fighters; a fighter/bomber. With its ability to mount 2 x 250 kg bombs or two of the massive Type 5 No.6 rockets, the N1K2 can be Japan's best ground attacker and will make enemy tanks quake in fear. The Type 98 Number 25 bombs are roughly equivalent to the American AN-M64A1 500 lb bombs, and are mounted on wing racks, allowing for precise bomb placement on targets. On the flip-side, the Type 5 No.6 rockets have no direct comparison but play somewhat similarly to a watered-down American Tiny Tim rocket or Swedish hprak m/49 rocket. Despite their relatively low velocity and higher weight, they are still quite accurate and are able to be launched quite close to the target with minimal threat of self-damage.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer	Pitch	Radiator			Supercharger	Turbocharger
		Oil	Water	Type
Controllable	Controllable Not auto controlled	Controllable Not auto controlled	Controllable Not auto controlled	Separate	Controllable 2 gears	Not controllable

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Flight Performance
  • Reasonable manoeuvrability at medium speeds (300~500 km/h)
  • Great energy retention
  • Solid acceleration once upgraded
  • Combat flaps are efficient while in dogfighting
  • Decent rate of climb
  • Relatively good diving characteristics for a Japanese aircraft
• Armament
  • Large amount of ammunition (200~250 rpg with 900 rounds in total)
  • Cannons themselves are reasonable in all aspects, and take far longer to jam than their contemporaries

Cons:

• Flight Performance
  • Mediocre roll rate
  • Severely stiffens at higher speeds
  • Can be outmanoeuvred easily by the fighters at its tier if not used correctly
  • Unless approached correctly, completely outclassed by the Spitfire Mk. IX and F8Fs
• Stock grind can be outright painful
  • Weak stock belts, which can only be unlocked at tier III
• Can catch on fire easily, and often gets destroyed in the process
• Often faces jets

History

Archive of the in-game description

Kawanishi Shiden-Kai Model 21, Kawanishi N1K2-J (code name "George") Marine Interceptor-Fighter. A single-seat, all-metal monoplane fighter with a closed canopy. The "Shiden" holds a unique place in the history of airplane construction. This land-based interceptor was based on the N1K1, which had been designed to support amphibious operations. The first prototype N1K1 "Kyofu" ("Mighty Wind") was flown on May 6, 1942, and mass production began in May of 1943. However, when the first seaplanes started to arrive on the front, the situation in the Pacific theatre had changed so that this type of plane was simply no longer needed. Therefore, a land version project of the fighter was developed as a private initiative, based on the Kyofu. Originally it was planned that the only distinction between the two planes was that the Shiden-Kai would have retractable landing gear instead of floats, but it was quickly decided that the engine should be replaced with a more powerful alternative. A four-bladed propeller with a diameter of 3.3 m was selected for the plane. Such a large propeller size, along with the mid-wing aerodynamic design, forced the plane to be fitted with elongated, telescoping landing gear struts which folded during retraction. The land-based version made its first flight on December 12, 1942. The prototype's private designation was the X1, and in mass production its designation became N1K1-J "Shiden" ("Purple Lightning"). Production began in August of 1943. The new fighter proved to be an excellent interceptor. However, its operation was complicated by the frequent failure of its engine, the Homare 21, the complex design of its chassis, and its ineffective brakes. Consequently, the number of the N1K1-J's non-combat losses was very high. The next model of the Shiden was designed to eliminate these shortcomings. The aircraft's redesign began simultaneously with the N1K1-J's military trials. The N1K2-J's first flight was made on December 31, 1943. The production model was designated the Shiden-Kai ("Purple Lightning Improved") Model 21 Marine Fighter-Interceptor. The new model, like its predecessor, featured a 14-cylinder air-cooled radial engine, the Nakajima Homare 21 NK9H, with a takeoff power of 1820 hp. It also retained the basic wing construction and armament of the N1K1-J. However, the Shiden-Kai was really a new plane. During the planning phase, special attention was given to ensuring ease of production and, at least to some extent, the use of readily available materials. The Shiden-Kai, unlike its predecessor, had a low-wing design which allowed the use of conventional landing gear. The new design was finally rid of the N1K1-J's main operational problems. The shape of the fuselage was completely changed and somewhat lengthened, and the vertical tail fin was completely redesigned. The empty weight of the aircraft was decreased by 240 kg. The N1K2-J was armed with 4 x 20 mm Type 99 Model 2 wing-mounted cannons. The inner pair held 200 rounds of ammunition each and the outer held 250 each (900 rounds total). On the two pylons suspended underneath its wings, the aircraft could carry two 250 kg type 98 or two 60 kg type 97 bombs. Or, it could carry unguided 60 kg No.27 rockets. In addition, an extra 400 litres fuel tank could be installed under the fuselage. Because its centre of gravity was towards the plane's rear, the N1K2-J was somewhat difficult to control, and was usually flown by experienced pilots (especially former Zero pilots) after they underwent retraining.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the N1K2-J from live.warthunder.com.

See also

Related Development

• N1K1 - (Kyofu Model 11; Base hydroplane model)
• N1K1-Ja - (Shiden Model 11A; N1K1-J with 7.7 mm MGs removed from the fuselage and 4 x 20 mm in the wings)
• N1K2-J - (Shiden Kai Model 21; Redesigned wings and fuselage)
• N1K2-Ja - (Shiden Kai Model 21A; More powerful engine, larger prop)

External links

• Official data sheet - more details about the performance

Kawanishi Aircraft Company (川西航空機)
Fighters	J6K1
N1K	N1K1-Ja · N1K2-J · N1K2-Ja
Bombers	H6K4 · H8K2 · H8K3
Hydroplane	N1K1 · E7K2