N1K1-Ja

This page is about the Japanese fighter N1K1-Ja. For other uses, see N1K (Family).

N1K1-Ja

A7M2

N1K2-J

N1K1-Ja

A7M2

N1K2-J

Japan

IV Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
5.3	5.3	5.3

Class:

Fighter

Research:63 000

Purchase:200 000

Show in game

Description

The N1K1-Ja is a rank IV Japanese fighter with a battle rating of 5.3 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.59 "Flaming Arrows".

General info

Flight performance

Max speed

at 6 200 m614 km/h

Turn time18 s

Max altitude10 000 m

EngineNakajima Homare 21

TypeRadial

Cooling systemAir

Take-off weight4 t

Characteristics	Max Speed (km/h at 6,200 m)		Max altitude (metres)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (metres/second)		Take-off run (metres)
	AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
Stock	591	576	10000	18.8	19.4	13.6	13.6	300
Upgraded	637	614		17.8	18.0	23.1	17.8

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	+	-
780	280	520	390	390	~13	~6

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

Survivability and armour

Crew1 person

Speed of destruction

Structural780 km/h

Gear280 km/h

Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.

• 70 mm Bulletproof glass - Armoured windscreen
• 12 mm Steel plate in pilot's seat

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB2 883 → 3 649

RB6 787 → 8 592

SB9 778 → 12 378

Total cost of modifications52 800

90 900

Talisman cost1 700

Crew training57 000

Experts200 000

Aces1 100

Research Aces520 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

100 / 230 / 480 %

172 / 172 / 172 %

Modifications

Flight performance	Survivability	Weaponry
Fuselage repair Research: 3 500 Cost: 6 000 220 Radiator Research: 3 500 Cost: 6 000 220 Compressor Research: 4 000 Cost: 6 900 250 Wings repair Research: 3 300 Cost: 5 700 210 Engine Research: 3 300 Cost: 5 700 210 Engine injection Research: 5 700 Cost: 9 800 350	Airframe Research: 4 000 Cost: 6 900 250 Cover Research: 5 700 Cost: 9 800 350	type89_belt_pack Research: 3 500 Cost: 6 000 220 type97_new_gun Research: 4 000 Cost: 6 900 250 type99mk2_belt_pack Research: 3 300 Cost: 5 700 210 7 in (mod20) Research: 3 300 Cost: 5 700 210 type99mk2_new_gun Research: 5 700 Cost: 9 800 350

Armaments

Offensive armament

Weapon 14 x 20 mm Type 99 Model 2 cannon

Ammunition400 rounds

Fire rate490 shots/min

Weapon 22 x 7.7 mm Type 97 machine gun

Ammunition1 100 rounds

Fire rate900 shots/min

The N1K1-Ja is armed with:

• 4 x 20 mm Type 99 Model 2 cannons, wing-mounted (100 rpg = 400 total)
• 2 x 7.7 mm Type 97 navy machine guns, nose-mounted (550 rpg = 1,100 total)

Suspended armament

List of setups (1)

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

The N1K1-Ja can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

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

Usage in battles

Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).

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

Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".

Pros:

• 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
• Powerful armament of 4x 20mm cannons plus 2x 7.7mm MG

• Relatively good diving characteristics for a Japanese aircraft

Cons:

• 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
• Ammo capacity of cannons is quite small, only 100 RPG which is far less than its later models

• 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 early jets such as He-162

History

In late 1941, as the 15-shi was still in development, some engineers were already concerned and proposed it 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 Mitsubishi MK4C Kasei 13 of the N1K1.

As the navy canceled its orders on the Kyōfū, Kawanishi was opted with 3 choices:

• Repurpose the H8K, Type 2 Flying Boat as a land-based bomber
• Create a new carrier based fighter
• Repurpose the 15-shi (N1K, Kyōfū) as a land-based fighter

Kawanishi decided to further promote development of the land-based fighter version. Even though some Navy engineers showed concern that Kawanishi wouldn't be a suited designer of land-based planes due the few experience they have on land, the plane still showed great potential and was quickly evaluated by the Navy. Aside from engine problems stemming from rushed engine development and some landing gear issues, the Navy was thoroughly impressed as its speed was far faster than the A6M and its maximum range was beyond that of the Raiden and ordered its production as the N1K1-J, Shiden.

Media

The Shooting Range #39 - Pages of History section at 00:24 discusses the N1K1-Ja.

See also

Related Development

• N1K1 - (Kyofu Model 11; Base hydroplane model)
• N1K1-Ja - (Shiden Model 11A; N1K1-J with 7.7mm's removed from the fuselage and 4x20mm 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

• [Devblog] N1K1-Ja : Violet Lightning

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