J1N1

J1N1

Ki-102 otsu

J1N1

Ki-102 otsu

Japan

II Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
2.0	2.0	2.3

Class:

Fighter

Interceptor

Research:7 900

Purchase:10 000

Show in game

Description

The J1N1 is a rank II Japanese twin-engine fighter with a battle rating of 2.0 (AB/RB) and 2.3 (SB). This aircraft was introduced in Update 1.63 "Desert Hunters".

General info

Flight Performance

Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.

Characteristics
Stock
Max Speed (km/h at 5,000 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
502	487	10000	26.0	26.7	6.8	6.8	500
Upgraded
Max Speed (km/h at 5,000 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
543	522	10000	24.1	25.0	13.0	9.6	500

Details

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

Limits
Wing-break speed (km/h)	Gear limit (km/h)	Combat flap (km/h)	Max Static G
			+	-
712.5	350	???	~??	~?

Optimal velocities
Ailerons (km/h)	Rudder (km/h)	Elevators (km/h)	Radiator (km/h)
< ???	< ???	< ???	> ???

Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
?,??? m	??? hp	?,??? hp

Survivability and armour

• 8.5 mm Steel plate behind the Pilot.

Armaments

Offensive armament

The J1N1 is armed with:

• 1 x 20 mm Type 99 Model 2 cannon, nose-mounted (60 rpg)
• 2 х 7.7 mm Type 97 machine gun, nose-mounted (600 rpg = 1200 total)

Suspended armament

The J1N1 can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

• Without load
• 2 х 60 kg Navy Type 97 Number 6 ground bomb

Defensive armament

The J1N1 is defended by:

• 4 х 7.7 mm Type 97 machine gun (750 rpg = 3000 total)

Usage in battles

Unlike most Japanese aircraft, the J1N1 can take quite a lot of punishment. As a twin-engine fighter/interceptor/attacker, it has the ability to remain in operation even flying on only one engine and with partial wing missing. While there is no real protection for its fuel tanks, it is less likely to catch fire when compared to other Japanese aircraft at its battle rating. If playing Realistic Battles, it is battle rating is slightly higher than arcade, but its forte is really in arcade battles at its battle rating. Its bomb load is relegated to smaller bomb sizes, but at the battle rating, it is enough to take out a few ground targets. The autocannons and machine guns on the aircraft are sufficient to perform strafing runs on lightly armoured vehicles.

The J1N1 flying low in AB can be a real distraction for the enemy team, keeping them away from the objectives of destroying ground targets. None of its weapons cannons is very powerful and its ammo count is quite low, but in arcade battles that is not much of a problem with in-flight reloadable ammunition when you run out. For quite a large aircraft, it is very manoeuvrable, and the "ace up its sleeve" is the rear-facing turrets, each with two 7.7 mm machine guns and unlike other fighters and bombers at its battle rating, the rear gunners are enclosed within the aircraft and not exposed to stray bullets. Enemy fighters on the tail of a J1N1 often find they suffer critical damage or are shot down while the offensive guns are trained on oncoming aircraft or ground targets. The playstyle is neither "Boom & Zoom" nor "Dog-fight", but rather to fly low and drag the enemy onto the tail of the J1N1. In arcade battle, enemies will sometimes try to ram the J1N1, in an attempt to knock off a wing, but it will continue to fly, often losing only the wingtip.

This aircraft is less useful in realistic and simulator battles mainly due to its low ammo count, but the characteristic play style mentioned before could prove almost as rewarding and it can take quite a bit of punishment before being destroyed.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer	Pitch	Radiator			Supercharger	Turbocharger
		Oil	Water	Type
Controllable	Not controllable	Not controllable	Not controllable	Separate	Not controllable	Not controllable

Modules

Tier	Flight performance		Survivability	Weaponry
I	Fuselage repair	Radiator		Offensive 7 mm
II		Compressor	Airframe	New 7 mm MGs
III	Wings repair	Engine		Turret 7 mm	Offensive 20 mm
IV		Engine Injection	Cover	New 7 mm MGs (turret)	New 20 mm cannons

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Quadruple 7.92 mm defensive guns in a dangerous tight array
• Fairly good speed
• 8.5 mm of armour in pilot's seat
• Good manoeuvrability
• Two engine design for extra Survivability

Cons:

• Beaten in turn fights by some aircraft
• Limited ammunition for all weapons
• Lack of protection around fuel tanks, engines, and gunner
• A single gunner man all four guns. When hit, all four weapons stop working
• Slightly-lacking climb rate for up-tiers.
• Offensive 7.92 mm struggle to down aircraft effectively

History

The Nakajima J1N1 Gekko (Moonlight), nicknamed the "Irving" by allied pilots was a 3 crew twin-engine fighter.

First developed the replace the A5M series as escorts for the Japanese bombers of the day (G3M). The main requirement for the aircraft was manoeuvrability and distance. It met the requirements on paper; however, due to the addition of rear-facing guns, the performance of the aircraft was hindered, as such the J1N's role of an escort fighter was scrapped.

Equipped with two "Nakajima NK1F Sakae 21" 14cylinder radial engine's producing 1,130 horsepower each. It had a maximum range of 3,780 km (2,350 mi) if stripped of all weapons. This made it ideal for reconnaissance and was used for recon. During the beginning of the war with the Allies, the J1N was perfect for its reconnaissance role; however, when the war started favouring night attacks, the J1N was no longer equipped to serve its role.

Japanese Commander Yasuna Kozono noticed the plane could not serve as a nighttime recon, he equipped two upwards firing 20 mm Type 99 cannons. Upon the new variants first sortie it downed two American bombers by flying under them and firing on the unsuspecting bomber crew. This success was immediately noticed by the Japanese Military and ordered Nakajima (the developers of the plane) to produce night fighting variants.

At first, the J1N night fighters were equipped with a spotlight on the nose, but when the Japanese developed a radar it saw extreme success. The American Military did not think the Japanese were capable of building a night fighter, leading to the destruction of many B-17's.

The J1N would have many variants designed for intercepting bombers and would be seen throughout the war. With the Allies use of the B-29 at the end of the war, the J1N could no longer out the Ally bombers. The J1N's success slowly started to fade, but some extremely skilful pilots such as Sachio Endo were still capable of downing many B-29's despite their plane being vastly outdated in 1945.

479 J1N's built, with only 1 surviving the war. The surviving aircraft can be found at "Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly", in Virginia USA.

Media

Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

• reference to the series of the aircraft;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

• topic on the official game forum;
• encyclopedia page on the aircraft;
• other literature.

Japan twin-engine fighters and strike aircraft
Navy
Land-based Fighter
J1N	J1N1
J5N	J5N1
Army
Ki-45	Ki-45 ko · Ki-45 otsu · Ki-45 hei · Ki-45 tei
Ki-83	Ki-83
Ki-96	Ki-96
Ki-102	Ki-102 otsu
Ki-108	Ki-108 Kai
Ki-109	Ki-109